Home Sellers' Top Mistakes

Selling a home has never been an easy process. It requires effort and commitment at the best of times. In today's market, however, selling a home can be much more of a challenge. Yet home sellers can put themselves in a favorable position. They have to know how to adapt to today's economic climate. Many home sellers make serious blunders and end up waiting much longer to sell their homes.

Selling a Home – Top Mistakes

1. Pricing Too High

Although it may be tempting to try to get as much as possible for your home, that strategy can backfire on a seller – especially in the current economy. If similar homes in the neighborhood are going for a lower price, you will be last on everyone's list. The worst scenario - you end up getting less than your neighbors for a home of equal value. Over-pricing in an uncertain economy will not help a home seller – although the neighbors might be more pleased than ever with you. Home sellers must remember that they are still competing against bank-owned homes, short sales, and HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) homes.

2. Expecting Too Much

People have to lower their expectations in poor economic times. Sellers have to look at the situation in the 'here and now' - not last month or last year. Today's sellers may not be able to take home their expected profit. In the midst of financial instability, sellers have to adjust their thinking.

Don't get carried away with slight improvements in the economy. When a country is coming out of a recession, people are still nervous about their financial future. Obviously, home sellers share that concern. Yet they must be realistic about the situation. It might help if sellers consider how they would react if they were home buyers. That mental exercise may help sellers to get a realistic view of today's marketplace.

3. Selling A Loser

Don't try to sell a loser! Of course, there is nothing to stop you from putting a home in poor condition on the market. Just don't expect to get a good price for it!

Condition matters in selling homes and no hefty price tag is going to hide that fact. If it isn't a winner, don't price it in that category. People will see right through that scheme. Sell for a fair value or make improvements and be able to sell for an increased profit.

Actually with FHA appraisals, major repairs have to be fixed up-front. Home buyers won't be eager to buy houses with bad roofs or safety issues. If sellers want to get rid of a home in poor condition, they can expect to have to accommodate buyers. Sometimes sellers decide to give a credit for a major repair (such as roof repair) after pricing it out. Generally though, a home in bad condition has to either sell for less or the home seller has to be willing to invest in improvements.

4. Neglecting Curb Appeal

Many sellers overlook the definite appeal of "curb appeal." Some sellers seem to think that it is just a term from a home decorating television show. Curb appeal, however, deserves more than a passing mention. The TV decorators are right about this one. Curb appeal matters to potential home buyers and it can translate to extra cash.

Traditional sellers: Strategize before selling, say Realtors

What Do You Think Is A Home Seller's Top Mistake?