Things to Avoid When Selling a House

Etobicoke real estate can be unpredictable. One minute it’s hot; the next, listings sit on the market far longer than anyone anticipates. If you plan to sell your home, it can be tough to decide when to jump in.

The truth is that you must always price and promote your listing effectively, no matter when you decide to make your move. The goal is not simply to make potential buyers fall in love with your home, but to make it easy for them to place an offer.

In any market, your house needs to be inviting and show-ready while representing fantastic value in the eyes of the buyer. These are just a few secrets you should be privy to if you want to earn top dollar from your sale. In addition, you’ll want to avoid some of the most common mistakes homeowners make when selling a house. Based on many years of working with sellers, here’s our list of what to avoid.

Do you want an effective and customized home selling strategy right out of the gate? Start by booking a complimentary seller’s consultation with us right here.

Limiting Showings

Keeping your house available and pristine for showings for great lengths of time can be inconvenient, to say the least. For the best results, you want to vacate the premises and let the showing agent work their magic, but who wants to get kicked out of their own space at a moment’s notice?

As disruptive as showings may be, availability is one of the most critical aspects of selling a home. Buyers can’t fall in love if they can’t get in the door! The sooner you accept an offer, the sooner your life can return to normal. In addition, if multiple buyers come through and want to buy your home, you stand a better chance of earning top dollar. The end results could make the temporary inconvenience well worth it.

Do you need the best possible results when selling your home and can’t afford any costly missteps? The posts below will help you get and stay on track:

• What Are The Fastest Ways To Add Value To Your Home When Selling?
• What to Look For in a Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home
• Can You Earn More Money By Staging Your Home?

Playing Tour Guide

It’s hard to imagine a worse mistake than not letting a potential buyer see your home. However, sticking around and playing tour guide is definitely high on the list. Most buyers are uncomfortable with the homeowner present. They’ll want to be free to discuss the home’s location and condition without fear of judgment or the risk of offending you.

If you make a potential buyer wish they never stepped foot through the door, it’s as bad as not allowing them access in the first place. Once again, it’s best to let your agent handle all showings if you want your house to sell.

Working With the Wrong Agent

Many people have friends or even relatives who might be a real estate agent. You may feel obligated to choose them to sell your home, but are they really the right fit?

Remember that your home is likely your number one financial asset, and you can’t afford to let a less skilled, inexperienced real estate agent take the reins, not even out of a sense of loyalty. If you’re counting on results, then be sure to choose a knowledgeable professional with a proven track record in your area.

Ineffective Pricing Strategies

Overpricing a home is one of the biggest causes of failing to sell, followed closely by underpricing. If the price is too high, buyers may not even bother viewing the property let alone think that you are serious about selling.

If you underestimate your property value, people may feel as though there’s a stigma attached to it. If they do make an offer, there’s a good chance they will try to lowball you even further.

Accurate pricing will help you gain maximum exposure and create a sense of excitement about your listing. An experienced real estate agent can help you identify that perfect sweet spot and hit the ground running in the market.

Whether buying or selling, it never hurts to brush up on your real estate knowledge. To learn more, check out Real Estate Jargon-What It Really Means.

Poor Quality Online Photos

Smartphones are both a hindrance and a help when selling your home. They make it easier than ever for a buyer to find your listing and book a showing. However, if you’re relying on your phone’s camera for your images, that buyer may never give your home a second glance.

Professional photography is an investment that is well worthwhile. This is particularly true in today’s market when more than 95% of potential buyers are starting their search online.

Not Making Repairs – Or Making the Wrong Repairs

Almost every house will benefit from some repairs and minor updates before going to market. Some sellers will list as-is in hopes of a fast transaction. Others will go all out and completely remodel from top to bottom. The trouble is that both of these paths can backfire if you’re not careful. Not making any improvements, or investing in the wrong upgrades, can ultimately lead to a less profitable sale.

Before deciding what repairs to invest in, first take the time to sit down with your real estate agent to learn what people are looking for in today’s market. In addition, be sure that you design your home to appeal to potential buyers – not to your own tastes.

Not De-Personalizing the Home

Speaking of appealing to buyers, a significant part of it involves presenting your home in a way that allows them to see themselves living there. This is something they cannot do if they walk in and see your personal photos and knick-knacks everywhere, which many sellers make the mistake of proudly displaying.

For now, it’s time to take those family pictures and children’s drawings off the walls and fridge, and store away any sports trophies. Replace them with generic yet attractive decor, and your buyers can get a sense of what it will be like to live there.

Pets in the House During Showings

Our dogs and cats can be our best friends, but they’re not necessarily helpful when it comes time to sell your home. Imagine a potential buyer is afraid of dogs, only to be greeted by your rambunctious and overly-enthusiastic German Shepherd!

Or a buyer severely allergic to cats sees fur-covered pet beds, scratching posts, and toys everywhere. In either case, this is not the first impression you want to make. The best solution is often for your furry family member to stay elsewhere during showings. If that can’t be arranged, you’ll want to remove as many signs of your pet as possible before each appointment. Hide away all pet beds, dishes, and especially litter boxes and training mats!

What happens if you run into unexpected challenges when selling your house? The posts below can help you overcome:

• How to Sell a Less Than Perfect House
• Should I Accept A Bully Offer When Selling My Home?
• My House Didn’t Sell. Now What Should I Do?

Unpleasant Odours

You can take all the time in the world to clean, declutter, and stage your home to perfection. However, it’s all for nothing if a buyer walks in and is turned off by the smell. Unfortunately, it’s easy for a homeowner to become “nose blind” to any persistent odours in the house. Pet smells, smoke, and even cooking aromas can all be dealbreakers to a buyer.

Before hosting a showing or open house, have a friend you can trust to be honest to give you an unbiased opinion. If they sniff out a problem, you may be able to scrub and disinfect the affected area. Alternatively, you could bring in some heavy duty air purifiers to remove any odours.

These are just a few details to take care of that will help you sell your home quickly and at the highest possible amount. With persistence and the right strategy, the offers should soon be rolling in.

Do you want a customized and proven plan for preparing, pricing, and promoting your home? Our Etobicoke real estate agents are happy to help you get the results you’re looking for. Contact us today at 647-282-7653 or email contact@thompsonsells.com to learn more.