Common mistakes to avoid when selling your house

So, you’ve decided to make the big move and finally sell your home. It probably took some serious thinking and maybe a few meltdowns to get to this point, but here you are at last, preparing to make one of the biggest transactions of your life. 

A lot of people assume that buying a new house is the most difficult task when it comes to real estate transactions, but selling a house can be equally challenging, especially if you have zero experience or knowledge in the field. Apart from all the technicalities that you have to handle, there’s also an emotional dimension to take into consideration. Letting go of the place that you once called your home can stir up some very intense feelings and make the whole process infinitely more complicated. 

With a full list of tasks to manage and so many emotions that you have to keep in check, you’ll soon realize that selling a house is no walk in the park. That’s why so many home sellers lose their focus and start making rookie mistakes the minute they put their house out for sale. These mistakes can have many unpleasant consequences, affecting your budget and your peace of mind. However, with a bit of preparation and patience you can learn to anticipate problems before they happen. 

So, here are some of the most common home selling mistakes that you should avoid if you want things to go smoothly.

Letting emotions get the best of you

As we’ve already mentioned, selling a home can make you feel all kinds of feelings that can distract you from your goal, which is getting the best price for your house and moving into your new place as quickly as possible. It’s understandable, you’ve probably poured your heart and soul into finding the right house for yourself and transforming it into a warm and cozy home, and now you have to say goodbye. All the wonderful memories you’ve gathered over the years in that house will come rushing back.

But that doesn’t mean you should let them get the best of you and throw you off track. Try to detach yourself from these emotions by approaching things as a salesperson who wants to complete a real estate transaction without much hassle. Focus on the financial aspects and adopt a practical mindset, and you’ll be able to keep a clear head throughout the whole process. 

Not hiring an agent 

We don’t want to underestimate your skills and competencies, but selling a home takes more than a bit of patience and determination. There are various steps one has to follow in order to complete the sale successfully, and for those who’ve never done this before, it can feel like a labyrinthine process in which one can easily get lost. This leaves room for lots of unintentional errors that can affect your house sale.

Hiring a competent real estate agent can make your life a lot easier and ensure a smooth and safe house selling process. An experienced agent has the skills and the knowhow to guide you every step of the way and help you get the best deal for your house. Although you’ll have to pay a commission, the time and effort you’re going to save will make it worth it. 

Underestimating home selling costs 

When most people plan on selling their home, all they think about is the profit they’re going to make. After all, selling a house means you’re going to get a lot of money, so it’s all about receiving, not giving, right? Wrong. When you sell a house there are various expenses you have to take into consideration such as agent commissions, home repairs, staging costs, closing costs, the price for your new home, moving expenses etc.

Add all the expenses together and you’ll get quite an impressive amount. If you don’t plan your budget properly to cover these costs, you might have to put your home selling plans on hold or get stuck midway. So, be wise and do the math before you start looking for home buyers and plan your budget accordingly. 

Having unrealistic expectations

Every home seller wants and hopes to get the best price for their property, but you have to be realistic about the amount you can actually receive for it. If there’s a big discrepancy between the price you set and what homebuyers are willing to pay, expect your house to stay on the market for a very long period of time. Set the bar too high and all you’ll do is scare potential buyers away. Set the bar too low and homebuyers will think there’s something wrong with your house. 

We assume you can’t afford to wait for ages to find the right buyer, so we suggest you take the time to do some research and determine the real value of your home. Finding a balance can be tricky, but there are plenty of resources out there that can offer guidance and support in this respect. 

Not cleaning and staging your home 

Your house might look perfectly fine to you just as it is, but the scrupulous eye of the homebuyer will find a million flaws to pick at, and that’s the last thing you want to happen during a home view. Unfortunately, a lot of people underestimate the importance of cleaning and staging their homes when trying to sell.

Home staging can help you get a better deal by making your property more appealing to buyers. It’s a huge mistake to assume no one will notice that crack in the wall or the squeaking floor when looking to buy a house. The way your house looks and the small details play a crucial role in the success of your home sale, so don’t leave anything to chance. Clean your house thoroughly, decluttering every corner, and give it some TLC to get it in tip top shape. Stage your home properly and you’ll sell it faster than you’d expect.