18 Mistakes Most Sellers Make When Putting Their Home on the Market
Pricing
your home too high: Have a professional determine comparable
sales and listing competition. You want top dollar, and you want all the
buyers to see your home. The top agents know how to walk that fine
line.
Small
repairs bring big profits and fast sales: Have a professional
give you low-cost solutions to minor repairs that will yield big profits.
I arrange for a professional inspection for my sellers so we are
actually selling “pre-inspected properties”, which is another reason
why I get more showings for my sellers.
Not
considering other financing terms (besides cash): Have a
professional give you options that may be better than cash for you, the
homeowner, and financing options that excite a buyer. All of my sellers
have a flyer that we give them on the “Fifteen Ways a Buyer Can Finance”
detailing how new buyers can finance your home.
Market
Timing: Have a professional determine if the market cycle is
poised to net you the most money. At least ask to be shown how you make
profits in a down market. There are opportunities in good and bad
markets. At Capital Realty Group Florida, we study market trends and know what is
around the corner.
Providing
easy access for showings: There are many ways to show a home.
Appointment only is the most restrictive; lock boxes are the least
restrictive. Have a professional help you determine which is best
for your lifestyle. I have a full-time staff that will make sure
your home is shown when that buyer is ready. Another exclusive
service of Capital Realty Group Florida is that we train each of the agents in our
office on how to best show your home.
Staging your property
correctly: Can you put items in storage? Create more light or
music? Rick & Adam can help you with ideas, a handyman, or designer.
We have the experience and ‘know how’ to make your property a better
value every week.
Choosing
the right REALTOR®: If your home didn’t sell last time, make sure
and get it right this time with someone who knows the market and how
to create a customized marketing plan to bring top dollar.
Believing
that selling property is seasonal: Do not base selling decisions
on the seasons. Property is always selling. In fact, in the
traditional “off times” there is less inventory, and, therefore, more
activity on individual properties as a result. One of my biggest
months for sales and seller success has been May, especially for Pool homes.
Pricing
their home too low: One reason to hire Realtor Rick and Adam is to make sure
that no money is left on the table. We will make sure all of the features
and benefits are not only brought out in a real world marketing campaign,
but also that you get paid for them.
Not
using current marketing technology: Make sure your agent is on
the “Information Highway” with 800 interactive voice recognition systems,
personal web sites, search engine technology, and the latest in buyer
communications. Check out our web site and buyer resources at www.MyClermontLiving.com.
Re‑evaluating
the marketing plan every 10 days: The market, you, and your
property require intuitive changes on a regular basis. That is why we
schedule a meeting with our seller clients every ten working days.
Believing
the agent is not doing the job: Do you know that 80% of
buyer activity comes from the internet and the MLS? Even the most mediocre agent
can bring these tools. So if you lack showing problems look at
your price, terms, and staging first. At Capital Realty Group Florida, we
can add value to your property in many ways.
Ignoring
first impressions from the buyer: Sales are often hampered
by unkept lawns, cluttered closets, unpainted front doors, hard‑to‑work
locks, dead light bulbs, bad colors, stains, unlit areas, and unusual
smells. Spend time on the little things; double up on your gardener,
keep things cleaner than usual and “marshal” the pets. Understanding
you still have a life, I will give you a simple list of small items to
consider.
Not
giving the sales effort enough time: You should never give too little
time to something that is inherently a long process. Estimate the time you
have to sell and then add some time so that you are never put in the
position of having to do something based on deadlines. Realtor Rick & Adam can help you
with the average time on market in your area in your price range. We
do, however, pride ourselves on beating the average days on market, as
published by our Multiple Listing Service.
Dealing
with unqualified or unsavory characters: One of the best reasons
to hire a real estate professional is they have the ability to pre‑qualify
a prospect before valuable negotiation time is lost. More importantly,
they have the tools to discover if a prospect’s motivation to see your
home may be other than purchasing a house. Understand that I use a team
approach in achieving your goals as a seller. One of my team members
is a local lender who I will involve in your sale early who will
pre-approve every buyer that I show your home to.
Believing
they are powerless to make a difference: Top agents in the
industry report that sellers themselves are responsible for one out of six
sales. You can network with your business and personal friends, hand out
flyers to your personnel department, and keep the house “ready to move
into.” Your professional real estate agent should be ready to hand
out all sorts of easy assignments to make the “team effort”
successful. I have a list of thirty items you can help with, if you
are so inclined.
Testing
the market: Never put your property on the market unless you
really want to sell. Get ready for a professional sales effort if you list
with a great agent. If your plan includes indecision, be prepared
for frustration because top dollar sales success is Rick & Adam's objective.
Not
setting up expectations with their agent: Your agent needs
to guarantee how fast the return phone calls are made, how many websites
your home will be on, numbers of showings, and a myriad of other goals.
Rick & Adam provides these services and more. Call us to discuss this further.
