7 deadly sins to avoid when selling your house
Everyone’s an expert when it comes to giving advice about what you should do when selling your home, but they’re not always quite as forthcoming about what you shouldn’t do.
Here are 6 things you should avoid doing when selling your home.
- Omit a sale price
This is probably the second biggest mistake vendors make. If there’s no price guide, many potential buyers will either carry on scrolling, or time will be wasted on both sides answering the number one factor in the decision-making process. Indeed, some say over 70% skip your property if you do not have this.
Ways to present the price are:
- Straight asking price: eg $700,000
- A price guide: “Price Guide $700,000
- A price range where the maximum gap allowed is no more than 10 per cent of the bottom of the range eg “$700,000 to $770,000”.
It’s also worth noting, Fair Trading has banned the phrase “Offers over $700,000” and this is now a fineable offence.
- Price too high
Since we’re talking prices, another mistake to avoid is over-pricing your property. If your property is over-priced, you’ll drive buyers away; remember, your property is competing with all other properties for sale in your price range, with a similar specification, and a potential buyer will carry on scrolling if they think they can get more bang for their buck.
Your property is then in danger of being on the market for an extended period of time; if you have to reduce the price a few weeks later, potential buyers may think there is something wrong with it, and negotiate harder.
If you are thinking of selling your property in the future, get in touch with us now for a free, independent and non-obligatory quote, or use our free online appraisal calculator as a guide.
- Skimp on the marketing
Most people now start their search online, and many traditional marketing methods (advertising in local paper media, signage etc) refer customers online for more details, so it’s imperative you get this right.
Good quality pictures are a must; if the property is first listed without photos, many potential buyers won’t actually return to a property listing, and it’s pointless having poor quality pictures which don’t reflect the property.
While it may cost a bit more, a video sets your property apart and can give you the competitive edge. They do generate more interest online and, together with virtual tours, give far-away buyers a genuine feel for your home; in some cases, they will make an offer without seeing the property.
When selling a home, we strongly believe you need to have as many genuinely interested people as possible view your property. And this only happens with strategic marketing. Most people turn to the internet when making their searches, but do you know the difference between Gold and Feature properties and Platinum and Premier listings on the real estate websites? Is it worth putting a sign outside the house? What about traditional media? Spending a little bit more on the marketing often results in a higher-than-expected sale; in some cases, up to 25% higher.
- Badly present the property
Buyers usually know what they want, and they quickly form opinions; it’s been said they will often decide whether they’re going to put an offer in within the first 30 seconds.
While you may think they’ll fall in love with your house once they see your fantastic kitchen renovation, if the first impression as they pull up at the curb is a bad one, it will be hard to win them over.
Rule of thumb is to tidy up the outside, and inside, clean, declutter and fix any problems. You want the buyer to imagine themselves living in your home, so don’t assume they will see past your personal possessions and tastes.
- Give pets the limelight
While our furry friends are often considered as part of the family, some buyers aren’t so keen, or may even be allergic to pets.
Clean as much as possible and use air fresheners to eliminate any pet smells; ideally pets, and any signs of pets (eg feed bowls and food packets) shouldn’t be present during viewings.
- Ignore the season
Consider the time of year you’re selling when presenting your house for open viewings. While we love our outdoor living in the summer, it doesn’t hold quite the same attraction in the winter. As we enter into the winter months, if it’s a cold day, put the heating on for viewings so potential buyers can see just how toasty warm your home gets. They will definitely be put off by a cold house.
Also consider the light, particularly in the winter months when the weather is bad. Ensure both the inside and outside of your home are well lit, and that all lights, including security lights, are working. If possible, open net-curtains or blinds allow as much natural light in as possible.
- Sell your house yourself
Yes, it is possible to do a DIY sell. However, as well as taking up time, selling a house requires a lot of skill and knowledge.
We believe choosing the right selling agent is probably the most important step in the whole selling process; you need to look for an honest, experienced and skilled professional to advocate on your behalf, every step that follows will be easier.
A good agent has in-depth knowledge of the local market and can provide advice on pricing, marketing and negotiating the sale. They also have access to broader networks of potential buyers and can help you maximise your sale price.
We’re constantly achieving great results and our aim is to make your sale as stress-free as possible, particularly if you have to sell quickly.
If you do choose us to sell your home, we’ll guide you through the process and explain what you need to consider, suggest ways in which you can add value to your property and give advice on how to present your property features to maximise your sale price.
We are a family run business with nearly 50 years’ experience, and we’re constantly achieving great results; our aim is to make your sale as stress-free as possible, particularly if you have to sell quickly.
Call in and see us in the Cardiff office, give us a call on 02 4954 8833 or send us an email to: mail@apnewcastle.com.au.
For tips on selling your property and what to look for when buying a property, visit our Facebook page.