Blog

With that in mind, here are some mistakes to avoid when you’re selling your home:

 

You’ve probably owned your home at least a few years. It’s natural to become fond of the place where you’ve nested and created memories with your family and friends. Once you decide to sell, however, you’ll have to detach and think objectively about your home’s strengths and weaknesses. Try to see your home the way buyers will. Be aware of your home’s features, faults, and flaws.

 

Most homes need at least some maintenance or repairs, but many buyers don’t want to purchase someone else’s problems. If your boiler broke or your roof needs a few shingles, you might want to repair those problems before putting your home on the market. Expensive repairs could be deal breakers for buyers, but fixing small stuff like a broken doorknob or leaking faucet can help create a positive impression. Prioritise items that buyers can see or their home inspector is likely to discover.

 

Most buyers begin their home search online, so they’ll probably see pictures of your home before they visit in person. Plan the pictures in advance to make sure your home shines. Priorities should include cleaning until everything gleams, clearing out clutter, and depersonalising your home’s decor.

 

Staging your home is especially important if your home is vacant, but can help boost the appeal of any abode. After you’ve thoroughly cleaned and decluttered, consider whether your furniture arrangements show your home at its best. If your rooms feel crowded, donate, sell, or give away some items, or put them in storage. You might hire a professional stager to stage rooms, sometimes with loaner pieces and home accessories, to make your home more appealing to buyers.

 

Prospective buyers might drive right past your home if its exterior doesn’t meet their expectations. Sprucing up can help entice them to look inside when they arrive for an open-house or private showing. Start with a fresh coat of exterior paint and well-maintained paths. We recommend a neatly mowed front garden and well-placed shrubs and flowers to enhance curb appeal.

 

Buyers today have access to a lot of information about recently sold homes, so they won’t make offers for more than your home is actually worth. Even if the market is strong, an overpriced home could become stale, causing buyers to wonder whether it has serious hidden defects.

 

Selling by yourself might seem appealing when you consider fees, but the DIY route may struggle to attract qualified buyers, resulting in a lower selling price. Owners will need time, and the knowledge, to handle every aspect of the selling process on their own.

Recognising these pitfalls, most sellers hire an estate agency to help them with pricing, staging, marketing, negotiating and more. Make sure to ask the right questions that will help you to determine if the agent is the right fit for you.

 

Once you’ve put your home on the market, you’ll have to try to cooperate when your agent wants to show it. That could mean scampering out at dinnertime for a private showing, or vacating for several hours—or most of the day—for a weekend open house. The goal is to accommodate as many buyers as possible, even if their timing is inconvenient.

 

If your house isn’t easy to show, it won’t be easy to sell either. While interruptions and added weekend planning may feel inconvenient, just remember the end goal—a good return on your investment that can support your next move.

 

Selling your home is a major life-changing decision, but it doesn’t have to involve aggravation, frustration, or hassle. Steer clear of these classic mistakes and you might close your sale faster and easier than you’d have thought possible. Fisks will guide you through the process with expert advice and local knowledge.

 

If you’re looking to sell your home this year, give us a call, we’re always happy to help!