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KNOXVILLE, TN -- If you've got a home for sale, it may be time for a real estate reality check. HGTV's www.FrontDoor.com has identified ten common mistakes to avoid in order to sell your home quickly and for the most profit.
#10: Waiting until spring to sell. Yes, spring is the busy time for real estate sales, but people still buy houses all year round. Play up your home's seasonal amenities and take advantage of the serious buyers and reduced competition of the "off-seasons."
#9: Not understanding the real estate contract. Sit down with your realtor (or attorney) to go over the fine print of a formal agreement before signing the potential buyer's offer. It's important to understand exactly what your responsibilities will be in the sale and any demands the buyer may pose.
#8: Going it alone without researching first. Think long and hard about the work involved in a for-sale-by-owner undertaking x96 paperwork, marketing, showings, etc. Sure, you'll save the realtor commission fee, but are you up for the task?
#7: Ignoring lowball offers. It's easy to feel insulted by a low offer on your home and reject it completely. But at least make a counteroffer to see if the buyer is willing to negotiate. You both may be pleasantly surprised.
#6: Wasting time on an unqualified buyer. Before accepting an offer on your home, make sure the potential buyer is pre-qualified for a loan, not just pre-approved. Today's lending standards are tougher than before, and you don't want to take a gamble on a buyer whose financing falls through.
#5: Skimping on marketing. The most effective marketing strategy is to mix a little traditional advertising (like the sign in the yard and an ad in a homes magazine) with more innovative techniques (such as an impressive online listing with photos and video).
#4: Sabotaging the showing. Make yourself scarce when your home is being shown to prospective buyers; they need space to focus on and evaluate your property. Also, make sure the house is easily accessible with convenient showing hours and a lockbox for agents.
#3: Not prepping for the sale. First, visit open houses in your neighborhood to get an idea of what the competition has to offer. Then make appropriate fixes and updates, de-clutter, stage, and clean, clean, clean!
#2: Over-improving. Don't go overboard when it comes to home improvements. It's possible to make so many upgrades that you price your home out of the appropriate range for the area x96 and worse, never recoup your investment.
#1: Overpricing. Be sure to check x96 or have your realtor check x96 the comparable home prices in your area. Your house should be in line with the selling prices of nearby homes of similar age, style, and size.
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