Mistake #1 -- Pricing Your Property Too High
- Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her
- product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your
- product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause
- some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your
- property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you
- have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an
- unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower
- price.
Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value
- Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an
- untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your
- property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage
- re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower.
- Your best bet is to ask your Realtor for the most recent information
- regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an
- up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value.
Mistake #3 -- Forgetting to "Showcase Your Home"
- In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it
- is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to
- sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home
- look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure
- everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and
- will even turn away some buyers.
Mistake #4 -- Trying to "Hard Sell" While Showing
- Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a
- result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably
- examine your property. It is best when possible to not be present while buyers are looking at your home. Let the showing agent do their job.
Mistake #5 -- Trying to Sell to "Looky-Loos"
- Your Realtor should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. A prospective buyer may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate.
Mistake #6 -- Not Knowing Your Rights & Responsibilities
- It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details
- in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally
- binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing.
- Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what you are responsible for before signing the contract.
Mistake #7 -- Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the Property
- Your Realtor should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques.
- Your Realtor should also be committed to selling your property; he or
- she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer.
- Most calls are received, and open houses are scheduled, during
- business hours, so make sure that your Realtor is working on selling
- your home during these hours.


