There’s all kinds of great advice out there to help sellers make their properties more attractive to potential buyers. But in a buyer’s market, it’s just as important to know what NOT to do when selling your home.
Here are five of the most common mistakes sellers in B.C. tend to make, and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Asking too high a price
One of the most common mistakes sellers make is setting a listing price that’s too high for the market to bear.
It’s human nature to want to get the best possible price for your property. But buyers today are very well informed, and they have much more powerful tools at their disposal to help them check the latest pricing trends than they did 20, 10 or even five years ago.
As a result, overpricing or asking an unreasonable amount for your home will likely only succeed in making sure your property goes overlooked, unnoticed – and unsold.
2. Getting emotionally attached
Selling a property can be an emotional event. This is particularly true if you’ve lived there for a long time, and see your home as the place where you’ve watched your family grow.
But selling a property is first and foremost a business decision for both you and any prospective buyer. So try not to let your feelings or expectations get in the way of listening to feedback, making smart decisions – and getting a great deal.
3. Failing to make a good first impression
You only get once chance to make a first impression. So make sure your home’s first impression is a good one.
This includes taking care of any simple or inexpensive repairs before you list your property, boosting your home’s curb appeal by keeping the lawn tidy or planting a few flowers, and always keeping the entire property clean, uncluttered and neatly organized.
It also means using professional high-quality photographs in your listing, being as flexible as you can about last-minute showings, and working with your REALTOR® on a marketing strategy that will highlight your home’s best features and reach the broadest range of potential buyers.
4. Not staging properly
When the market gets competitive, sellers need to do everything they can to help their properties stand out. One of the best ways to do this is by staging your property to look its very best, or hiring a professional home staging company to do it for you.
If hiring a home stager isn’t in the cards (or your budget), ask your REALTOR® for some tips on how to prepare your property to sell, or the latest online tools that can help you virtually stage your property with the click of a mouse.
5. Not working with a REALTOR®
Last but not least, always work with a REALTOR® who knows the local market, has experience with the type of property you’re selling – and who’s ready to do whatever they can to help sell your home.
In addition to setting the listing price, staying on top of the latest trends and showing your property to buyers in the best possible light, an experienced REALTOR® will walk you through each stage of the selling process, so you can rest comfortably knowing your home, your investment – and your family’s future – are all in good hands.
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Are you thinking about selling your home but have some questions? Contact us for a free no-obligation consultation.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.