Want To Sell Your Home For The Most Money? Avoid These 6 Mistakes

Your home is probably the biggest and most important investment that you’ll ever make. Thus, selling it for the highest possible price makes sense. After all, this is the surest way to make the equity that you’ve built by making timely mortgage payments that provide you with optimum returns. To do so, however, you’ll need to avoid these 6 seller mistakes.

1) Not Hiring An Agent

Although it’s certainly possible to sell a home without the guidance and input of a reputable agent, you’ll fare far better if you start this effort by aligning yourself with the right professional. Agents have access to helpful market information that will make it easy to price your home correctly from the very outset. Your agent can also offer valuable marketing advice, handle all negotiations with prospective buyers, and guide you through the closing process. In addition to bringing a qualified agent onto your team, always be sure to take this professional’s advice to heart.

2) Allowing Your Pet To Interfere With The Sale

Unless you’re in the remarkably fortunate position of having another place to live while selling your house, your property is likely still the primary address for you and everyone in the family. When selling, it’s important to depersonalize your living space as much as you possibly can. This helps prospective buyers imagine themselves living in the home and to make their own emotional connections. Nothing will interfere with these connections more than strong pet odors, evidence of pet hair, and a frisky animal who doesn’t respect personal boundaries. While crating your feline or canine companion is one way to limit this interference, it’s generally best to have a close family member or friend take care of your pet instead.

3) Failing To Deal With Major Repair Issues

Savvy buyers will always submit offers that are contingent upon successful home inspections. More importantly, the lenders that most buyers work with will unfailingly require this contingency. Waiting for a home inspector to spot and record major repairs can throw the entire sales process off track. If there are noticeable issues throughout your home, take care of these ahead of time. Even something as minor as a leaky tap can turn buyers off as it indicates poor maintenance and a likelihood of other issues. It is often far cheaper and easier to take care of these things early on. If you’re unsure of whether or not an issue requires immediate attention, you can always turn to your agent for guidance.

4) Not Cleaning Or Staging Your Home

If you want to sell your home for the most money, you have to put the work in. Make sure that your home is clean and free of clutter, and that it’s properly staged. Staging your home won’t just make the best impression on potential buyers during showings. It will also make it easier to take great photos for your listing or virtual tour. Choosing neutral colors for the interior decor will make it easier for people to envision themselves living in and owning the house. It’s generally best to de-clutter and stage the living space so that it looks very much like a model home. You should also take the time to de-clutter and clean up outside.

5) Being Present When Prospective Buyers Walk Though

Having sellers present when walking through a home can make things awkward for prospective buyers. These initial tours are actually your agent’s time to shine. Without you, buyers will have the best chance at getting a good feel for the property.

6) Being Too Firm Or Too Close-Minded When Reviewing Offers

While your ultimate goal is to sell your home for the most money, you have to be flexible enough to work with the offers that you’re given. Your agent can negotiate on your behalf based upon the latest market information, the amount of interest that your home has garnered, and other key factors. It’s important for sellers to avoid being blinded by emotional attachments that may cause them to miss out on prime opportunities.

Selling a home is sometimes a challenging and emotionally difficult process. By cleaning up, taking care of essential repairs, and making sure that your house depersonalized, you can make this effort a seamless, easy, and highly profitable one.