Selling your home is often regarded as one of life’s most stressful experiences. There can be so much to remember, and it can feel like even the slightest mistake could cost you a decent offer.
Estate agents, such as online based House Sales Direct, will provide guidance and advice on how best to prepare your property, whilst ensuring that you personally are prepared for the selling process. Selling on your own can therefore seem somewhat overwhelming, especially if you’ve not done it before.
Even if you do have an estate agent supporting you, it is vital to avoid the most common things that home sellers get wrong when selling which can potentially jeopardise the sale of their property.
Setting an unrealistic price
This is a major stopping block to people buying your home; if buyers don’t think your property is worth what you’ve listed it for, it will sit on the market for months if not years. Sooner or later, those who list to high generally have to decrease the listing price in order to gain more interest.
Even if you think your property is worth more than what estate agents have valued it at, you may end up wasting a lot of time. Pricing closer to the market value or even a bit below can often be a good tactic as this will generate interest and will mean buyers will often offer higher in an effort to outbid one another.
Not going on the market with an agent
It can be tempting to try and sell your home on its own, especially after seeing the hefty fees that estate agents and solicitors charge. It is generally best not to do this though and should be avoided if you haven’t done it before, as there is an awful lot to remember.
Estate agents generally have your best interests at heart and will help negotiate higher offers than you would be able to do on your own. They will also be able to market your property to a higher level and will be able to use national property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla.
If you are put off by estate agent and solicitor fees, House Sales Direct will sell your home for free, whilst providing a high quality listing and without compromising on the offer you receive.
Hiding major problems
Some home sellers will go to great lengths to try and cover up glaring issues with their property. Trying to hide issues such as subsidence, damp or Japanese knotweed is a very bad idea as not only is this misleading the buyer, but issues such as these will be uncovered during surveys carried out after an offer has been accepted.
When eventually uncovered, a major issue such as subsidence will often put the buyer off and they will withdraw from the sale, wasting valuable time.
If your property has such a problem, the best course of action is to be upfront about it and potentially seek out a cash buyer or investor who knows what they are doing and is happy to take the property on.
Not staging your home properly
A very simple thing that many sellers get wrong is not presenting their home in an orderly, clean way. Not decluttering and cleaning prior to photos being taken or viewings can make your home seem uncared for and less appealing.
It is also often worth getting minor home improvements done before you sell, such as repainting. Doing this can make your home seem more modern and will help you get higher offers.
This article was written by an online estate agent House Sales Direct. If you wish to sell your house fast and for free, then head over to the House Sales Direct website for more property related information and enquiries.
