Chances are good that if you’ve decided to sell your home, you’re going to make some mistakes along the way. Sure, you might forget to sweep the kitchen before an open house, or pack away more than you needed to before a viewing- mistakes are inevitable. That being said, there are some that you really don’t want to make, and keeping an eye out for the more hazardous mistakes will make the process much easier to manage.
Here are the top 7 home-selling mistakes you’ll want to avoid:
Not hiring an agent
The numbers don’t lie- people who try to sell their own homes often fail to do so in a timely fashion and/or at a reasonable price. You need the expertise of a professional when undertaking a project as important as selling your home, so start researching!
Neglecting much-needed repairs
It will always cost you less to make repairs ahead of time than to lose the ability to sell your house due to broken fixtures or peeling paint. Take the time, bite the bullet, and make the repairs your home needs to be sell-able.
Signing up for too long
Not every real estate agent is going to be successful at marketing your home to potential buyers, and it’s important to be able to change agents if you’re dissatisfied with the level of service you’re receiving. Don’t sign anything that locks you up for a long time, and be sure to limit contracts to around 30-45 days.
Not removing clutter
One of the most cost-efficient improvements you can make to your home is to remove clutter and create an aura of spaciousness. It might take some time, but the payoff is more than worth it. Take the extra step of removing clutter from your house (and keeping it in that condition), and you’ll be happy you did it.
Going for an auction
Auctions, while they may seem appealing at first, typically get lower prices. It generally reduces the seller’s ability to control how much their home is sold for, even more so than if it’s being sold on the open market, so avoid auctions if possible.
Signing a standard agency agreement
If you’re going to form a contract with a real estate agent, consider seeking independent legal advice or using the Consumer
Protection Guarantee for Home-sellers. Make sure your rights are protected, so that the home-selling process is smooth and reasonable for all parties involved.
Sources:
http://www.bruceharryrealestate.com.au/the-18-worst-mistakes-made-by-homesellers