10 of the Most Common House Selling Mistakes to Avoid

Planning on selling your home? We understand how stressful the entire process is. You have to ensure that every part flows smoothly to avoid any delays or inconveniences. That being said, here are ten of the most common house selling mistakes that you need to avoid!

Forgetting to Clean Your House Before Trying to Sell it

A lot of us would be lying if we said our homes weren’t overdue for a good cleaning, so be sure to remember to have a general cleaning before putting your home up for sale. There’s nothing more unappealing than a home tour and then realizing the house is not maintained, and possible homebuyers might think what other aspects of the house have been neglected. Make cleaning your house a top priority, as it is one of the easiest house selling mistakes to avoid.

Not Staging Your Home For a Sale

The purpose of staging your home is to give potential homebuyers a chance to imagine themselves living in your space. They are able to see a home with decor and furniture laid out in a way that calls attention to the key features of your home instead of an empty house that lacks personality. It pays to stage your home.

Not Getting Professional Real Estate Photos

It’s time to be real. If your listing photos are not shot professionally, then not a lot of potential buyers will find the property attractive. Professional photos are key in being able to sell the house faster. The first thing a prospective buyer sees is the listing photos. And these photos determine whether or not they want to see it in person through a tour. In fact, houses with professional photos sell for more money compared to other listings on average. 

Hiring a photographer that specializes in taking professional photos of houses will ensure that your home looks spectacular when listed because, besides the equipment, they also know the right angles that best sell a home. 

Not Acknowledging Your House’s Exterior

Throughout the years, the exterior of your home has taken a beating from different factors. With everything that mother nature throws at it annually, the paint and the staining on your deck would have most definitely lost a bit of their original color. Make sure to pressure wash your house first before you list your house. Additionally, make sure your house is in its top shape in the photos. By keeping your home’s exterior looking brand new, you can avoid common house selling mistakes like these.

Not Having a Budget for Your Move

When you think about the moving process, you can either hire a moving company or do it yourself. 

Should you choose to hire a moving company instead of doing it yourself, they will pack, move, and then unpack your stuff. Having a full-service mover can be worth the investment when you’re busy with all of the other tasks connected with selling your home. Not just that, but your belongings are insured when you hire movers, so if anything breaks, you’re covered.

Not Selling at the Right Time

How you time your sale plays a huge role in the price you’re able to get. In most areas, the most optimum time of year to sell a house happens during the second half of April. The average U.S. home listed during this time sold for $9,300 more compared to average times in the year. 

Another factor to take note of when investigating the prime times to sell in your city is the weather. Additionally, one more timing-related issue that you’ll want to remember has less to do with the timing and more to do with the longevity of owning the house. You’ll have to live in the home for at least two of the last five years in order to avoid capital gains taxes on the sale of your initial residence.

Incorrectly Pricing Your House

One of the most common house selling mistakes is putting a price tag too high on your house. Your property may sit on the market for a long time. However, your house can get sold faster if you price it too low, but you may not get as much money as you could. 

The first step to knowing the worth of your house is by using an online calculator. After, schedule a meeting with your real estate agent to talk about a good pricing strategy for your house. They will check other properties recently sold in your city that can be compared and offer insights into how the housing market is currently doing. From there, you and your real estate agent can decide on a good initial price as well as a pricing strategy that will encourage buyers if your house listing remains on the market for too long.

Taking Offense at a Lowball Offer

Whatever your reasons are for moving, since you’ve probably lived in your home for years, you most likely have a lot of strong feelings adhered to it. So when someone gives you a lowball offer, it’s normal to be offended. 

Rather than making a house-selling mistake such as walking away, you can give them a counteroffer that you and your real estate agent think is appropriate. If the homebuyer really is interested, then you’ll be glad you didn’t let your emotions take control of you.

Not Cleaning Your Carpet or Refinishing Hardwood Flooring

If you’re currently at home, look down. What is the current state of your floors? While they may not look terrible, there’s a pretty good possibility they’re starting to show their age. Since potential buyers are going to be checking every inch of your home, you need to start thinking of cleaning your carpet and refinishing your hardwood floors to avoid these house-selling mistakes. 

Not Repainting

Your house’s paint is one of the first things a potential buyer will notice the moment they arrive at the site. You have to make sure your house is painted with a calming and inviting color, and the quality is excellent in order to make a good first impression.

While it can take a few days to repaint your house completely, it is worth the effort due to the increased value of painting your home before selling.

Don’t neglect the interior, though. Having neutral-colored walls can make it appear more buyer-friendly. It will be easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves living in your home.

Conclusion

Knowing how to sell a house is important. Be sure you prepare financially and mentally for what-if scenarios, even if you don’t make any of these mistakes. It may be possible for your house to sit on the market for far longer than expected, especially in a market that’s declining.