Vashon Homes & Events from Go! Real Estate

No matter whether the real estate market is going up or down, there are some things you can do to almost guarantee that your home will sell faster, easier and for a little more money than compared to a similar house in the same street.

However there are some big real estate selling mistakes that many home owners overlook that could affect their ability to sell their properties. Let’s look at some of the biggest real estate selling mistakes home owners make.

1. Poor Condition 

Selling real estate that is in poor condition will mean an instant reduction in the potential price you could have set for the sale. Trying to market a home that is in poor condition or a home that has obvious maintenance issues that have been ignored is a sure way to put off many potential buyers.

People will automatically assume that if a house has any minor maintenance issues showing, then there must be bigger maintenance issues beneath the surface. Take some time to complete any repairs or maintenance on the home.

2. Real Estate Staging

Selling real estate is about trying to attract potential new buyers into thinking a property is the right place for them to raise a family and build their own memories. Most people who sell their homes overlook the importance of real estate staging prior to a showing. Giving your house a quick wipe over with a cleaning cloth and putting the dishes away is not enough.

Buying a home is an emotional purchase for most people. Buyers want to walk into a home and feel good. They want to imagine how their own furniture will look in each room and how their own decorations will brighten up each room.

Taking some time to freshen up paint with a light, neutral color and then removing all your personal finishing touches, such as your family photos, kid’s toys and some ornaments will make each room in your home look more spacious and more open. If you have big bulky furniture, either re-arrange it so each room appears bigger or borrow smaller furniture from friends and family.

3. Street Appeal 

People selling real estate often overlook the importance of street appeal. Many home owners spend a lot of time fixing smaller maintenance issues within the home, but only take a moment to run a lawn mower over the yards. 

Potential buyers want to be able to drive up to the front of a house and immediately feel that the home is appealing and attractive. Overgrown trees and shrubs obscure the house from the street. Prune them back or cut them down. Open up the yard with border plantings to make the land plot seem bigger than it really is from the street.

Selling real estate is all about appealing to buyers in such a way that they feel comfortable paying money for your property even when other properties might not be selling. An inexperienced agent may tell you to reduce your price, but the reality is people who sell real estate can actually increase their price if they’re willing to put in some work to appeal to potential buyer’s emotions.