What Not To Do When Your Home Is On The Market

What Not to Do When Your Home Is on the Market

By Kelly O'Ryan  Print Article

RISMEDIA, August 9, 2011—There is a lot of advice available for those looking to sell their home these days. Instead of telling you want to do to sell your home in today’s market, let’s focus on what not to do.

1.) Do not defer on basic home maintenance. Slacking on basic home care can be extremely risky and is likely to attract the wrong kind of buyer. Best case scenario, houses that need a lot of work will attract a property flipper, known for their low offers. A house that is run down almost always makes a negative first impression and tends to seem like a headache to buyers.

2.) Do not leave up wallpaper and borders. These personal décor elements, along with murals and specialized painting applications, only work to narrow the seller’s buyer pool. Sellers need to remember the importance of neutralizing their home with modern paint hues that appeal to a broader audience.

3.) Do not block the front of the house with shrubbery. Prospective buyers often drive by homes for an initial viewing, before they decide whether or not they want to make an appointment for a showing. If the house is blocked by trees and bushes, buyers do not get an accurate or appealing view of the home. Curb appeal is an essential aspect to getting the best possible offer.

4.) Do not try to sell an unfurnished home. Builders don’t spend thousands of dollars staging model homes for fun; they do it because it helps sell more homes in less time at a higher price. Buyers want to picture what their lives will look like if they buy your house and if there isn’t furniture they tend to lose concept of size and space. Homes lacking furniture seem sterile and lack appeal and warmth; furniture also helps define a room’s function.

5.) Do not stick around for showings and open houses. When sellers are present during showings, prospective buyers tend to feel awkward and will rush through the appointment. Having the seller present might also discourage buyers from commenting or asking important questions about the house. In addition, sellers in the majority of cases are personally attached to the home and will tend to point out the wrong things to buyers. Agents are trained to showcase selling qualities, not their personal favorites.

Unfortunately there is no perfect formula to getting your home sold, but by following these tips and working with a skilled agent, sellers will heighten their chances at closing the deal quickly at the right price.