Did you know that many homeowners lose thousands of dollars by the time they close on their home because of simple mistakes they make... and could have easily corrected BEFOE putting their home on the market?
Mistake 1: Putting the home on the market before it's ready. Most times this happens because the seller gets impatient or is thinking right now is seller's market and the home will go anyway, and has pushed himself up against a moving deadline without getting the pre-sale work done. So it comes on the market with the horrible carpet (that gets replaced during the marketing of the home); or they are painting it while it goes on the market. Presentation is everything -- so get the house clean and tidy before marketing the property.
Mistake 1: Putting the home on the market before it's ready. Most times this happens because the seller gets impatient or is thinking right now is seller's market and the home will go anyway, and has pushed himself up against a moving deadline without getting the pre-sale work done. So it comes on the market with the horrible carpet (that gets replaced during the marketing of the home); or they are painting it while it goes on the market. Presentation is everything -- so get the house clean and tidy before marketing the property.
Mistake 2: Over improving the home for the neighborhood. This happens with additions, bump outs, and upgrades that make the home stick out from among its competitors so much that it's an anomaly, instead of a nice addition to the community. Well, truth is, you might get more showings and offers, but that doesn't mean the offer price counts what you paid for those upgrades. Most of upgrades worth no more than 50% of the cost during selling time.
Mistake 3: Pricing the home based on what the seller wants to net. This pricing strategy always ends in failure. Sellers can control the "asking" price, but they don't control the "sales" price. The market does. It doesn't matter what the seller wants, the price is determined by the black-and-white, matter-of-fact reality of the market.
Mistake 4: Getting emotionally involved in the sale of the home. This is one of the biggest challenges home sellers face when putting their house on the market. Once you decide to sell your house, it's no longer a home, but a commodity. It needs to be prepared as a commodity, marketed as a commodity, and priced as a commodity. It doesn't matter what you "want," only what the market can bear on pricing. People are going to come in to kick the tires, so to speak, and you can't get emotional about how they may or may not appreciate the nuances of your home of seven years.
Mistake 5: Trying to cover up problems, or not disclosing them. California has a property disclosure form -- use it wisely. Just because you disclaim doesn't mean you cannot be sued later for the leaky roof, or dilapidated heating/air system that's discovered 30 days after settlement.
Selling soon? Call me when you are ready to sell your home!