4 Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Sell Your Home Fast

“Wish I’d known that when I decided to sell my home.” That’s a phrase you want to avoid.  Your home is your biggest asset and the Rochester market is HOT right now. Houses are selling fast! If you want to sell your home fast there’s no reason to lose money by committing avoidable seller mistakes.

Here are 4 common mistakes home sellers make and how to avoid them:

Mistake #1:  Hiring an Under-Qualified Agent

Not every agent is as qualified as you may believe. It’s important that you take the time and do proper research when finding an agent to help sell your home. It is also important you ask the right questions.
Questions to ask are:

Do you have a backup Realtor in place in case you’re not available? (In this fast-paced market, your Realtor must be almost constantly available.)

• What is your preferred form of communication? Does it fit with yours?
• Do you have systems in place to stay on top of the details of the deal?
• Do you have a good rapport with other agents in the area?

Mistake #2:  Not Putting Your House on the Market

You may have heard of the term “pocket listings.” A pocket listing is a real estate term that means your home’s listing is retained by a listing broker or sales agent who does not put it on the MLS or make it available for other agents to view. A seller may be talked into signing such an agreement because the agent promises privacy and a shorter timeline to closing. There are other methods to keep your listing private if this is what you desire.

Not putting your home on the MLS or other third-party sites can be a HUGE and costly mistake when it comes to sale price. The true value of a home isn’t decided until it gets to ALL the buyers. If you skip this part of the process you could be losing out on money.

Mistake #3:  Not Preparing Your Home for Sale

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. In the digital world, one bad photo can shift the perceived value of your home. Clean and declutter every room inside your home and thoroughly assess the outside of the home. Lastly, get GOOD photos that are well lit. Ensure there’s nothing strange in the photos as you stage your home and prep it for viewing. There are entire websites made up of these real estate photo faux pas and you don’t want your home to make that list.

You can increase your home’s visual appeal by:

• Planting grass seed on bare spots in the yard and replacing dead plants
• Thoroughly cleaning every room and shampooing your carpets
• Repairing any imperfections in your walls (holes, scratches, chipped paint)

And most of all, DE-CLUTTER! It may be time to take a truckload to storage.

Speak to your Realtor. She or he can help you discover and brainstorm easy fixes to quickly improve the view and value of your home.

Mistake #4: Making Upgrades Not Advised By Your Realtor

While it is important to prepare your home, it isn’t a great idea to make major changes without first consulting with your Realtor.

Changing out flooring or cabinets is an example of a major change. Talk with your Realtor first. They have the experience to know if this is a necessary improvement that will provide you with a return on your investment or just cost you extra time and money. If you do decide on a major home improvement, consult with your Realtor about it. The hard truth is, your personal choice may not improve the home’s perceived value.