10 Tips to Avoid Seller Mistakes

Preparing and selling your home can be a challenge! Many sellers are not sure of all the ins and outs or what may sell homes in their area. We atJacobson Realty and Home Stagingknow, though! Here are 10 things that you should definitely remember for a successful selling transaction.

1. Steer clear of automated property valuations. Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com or Redfin are fine for report searches, but when it comes time to understate property valuations, they are not your source for information. Often times the data that is used is old or not similar to the subject property, and valuations will be too high or too low. The expertise of a realtor is needed to evaluate your upgrades, your unique situation and current market conditions and trends.
2. Have realistic expectations. Your realtor can share important information with you that will help you to understand your local market. Home sales trends may be 45 – 60 days, or offers from buyers may not be meeting full property values. Your home is an emotional component of your life, but it is best to be objective when strategizing the sale of “the house.”
3. Shift your mindset. Now that you have decided you are going to sell “the house,” continually remind yourself that you are selling a house, not YOUR home. This can help you to critically evaluate interior and exterior cosmetic and maintenance issues that you and your family considered “endearing” or part of the character of the home.
4. Pack up your emotional attachment. Memories are one of the most difficult things to move. However, they are also the first thing you should pack if you’re going to change your mindset from “home” to “house.”  Removing the emotional attachment aids in changing your mindset as well as allows you to make sure your life’s story is safely stored. Also, if you are downsizing, you simply may not have room in your new home for all of life’s memorabilia. This will give you time to consider options such as digital storage. Many of your memories can become amazing photos to be shared with all the family. Another option is collaging and shadow boxes, combining items into themes and reducing the storage area while creating a fun family display.
5. Have your property staged. Professional staging is critical to the sale of your home. Especially in markets where the competition is great, your home must be showcased to attract its full asking price. Professional stagers stay updated on the latest home décor trends and understand how to show off the best qualities of your home without your positioning looking fake.
6. Invest in repairs and improvements. Routine maintenance helps prevent surprises down the road, but there are always things that seem to get put on the back burner. Catch up on your seasonal maintenance, trim trees and double check gutters. Consider investing in improvements that can ensure a higher selling price and build confidence and trust in the mind of your buyer.
7. Invest in your curb appeal. Your curb appeal is the “first impression” made by the house. Making sure your landscaping is updated can help sell the house faster. Remember, if you can’t see your house, you can’t sell your house. Stand at the curb and see if an overgrown tree seems to overwhelm the house or if the juniper bushes block your front door.  Check often overlooked areas like your mailbox or see if the lawn has bald spots. Another appeal buster is an outdated or unkempt front door area. Try a new door color and an updated doorbell as inexpensive ways to give the front of the house an attractive look.
8. Start packing before you list. Reduce your stress by starting to pack as soon as you decide you are selling. Packing as soon as possible can help you to detach emotionally from your home, as well as declutter the house for the staging. It also makes cleaning before showings easier. In addition, cleaning out all those nooks and crannies can expose repair issue you may not have noticed that you can get to right away.
9. List only when you are prepared. One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is to list before all repairs or staging is done. If you have not quite finished your preparations, both you as the seller and the house do not look like you are ready to sell. The buyer is calculating how much effort and money they will have to put into making the house their home. These considerations can mean lower offers or no offers at all.
10. Always have a “Plan B.” Crazy things sometimes happen when selling a house. The house may sell faster than you expected, or it may take longer because of a market slowdown. An unseen major repair may come up, or your own moving plans may change drastically. Ask your realtor about options and make a list of resources such as resident hotels, storage units and emergency repair services.

With a bit of preparation and a great plan, you can reduce the stress and make selling your house a satisfying experience!

©2016, Jacobson Realty and Home Staging

Jacobson Realty and Home Staging (JRY) was established by Broker/Owner Belinda Jacobson-Loehle in April 2002. Belinda is a native Washingtonian who grew up in Alexandria, Virginia and has lived and worked in Gainesville, Virginia since 1995. She has been a licensed broker since 1989.

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