Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home
1. DIY
There are a lot of things you can do yourself to prepare to sell your house in CENLA or surrounding areas.
List pricing will vary depending on upgrades or needed improvements.
By hiring one of our experienced listing agents, you get these added benefits:
- Getting to work with the #1 Independent Realtor office in CENLA
- Expert advice on pricing and staging
- Customized marketing using multiple platforms
- Built in advertising to generate more interest
- Multiple Listing Services
- Professional Photography or videography
- An advocate in negotiations with buyers
- Paperwork that is taken care of for you
Making the wrong decisions when listing your home in CENLA (or surrounding area) can cost you actual dollars and cents. Invest in the selling process and you’ll be pleased with the results.
2. Overpricing or Underpricing Your Home
We use a database of comps in CENLA (or anywhere the property is located) to help you figure out what the actual value of your home is, and what you can reasonably list your home for.
We’ve seen houses sit on the market for years simply because they are overpriced.
When willing to negotiate during the selling process, you are far more likely to quickly close the deal.
On the other hand, a listing price that is low may create a bidding “war” where you will receive multiple offers at one time. But if it is too low it might create concern from the buyers as to what is wrong with the property.
3. Selling Your Home As Is
Simple repairs or upgrades can add value to your home.
This could be:
- new roofing
- landscaping for a little curb appeal
- a fresh coat of paint
- power washing siding
- and more.
Even inexpensive maintenance can help your home in CENLA photograph better and sell more quickly.
Your real estate broker will offer a fresh perspective to things you may overlook after years in the same home.
Be open to advice and watch the value of your home increase.
4. Letting Emotions Drive Decisions
They say home is where the heart is, but in selling your home, it’s wise to take emotions out of the equation.
While it’s totally normal to feel wistful or melancholy about leaving a home that you love, those feelings can stand in the way of accepting a good offer, or leave you hesitant to make improvements that will help your home sell.
Your agent is going to be able to view this transaction from an objective business standpoint. Discussing your financial goals from the sale with your agent allows us to advocate for you without emotions steering the transaction.
Having your agent show the home while you aren’t there is also helpful. They help the potential buyers envision themselves in the home.
5. Investing in the Wrong Places
Some home improvements don’t really add value to your home in the long run and can be a waste of your time and money.
Staging is important and doesn’t require you to pay someone. This is something you can do on your own. Ask your realtor the best ways to do that with your home.
Let your agent advise you on maintenance that will make you money in the long run.
6. Skimping on Photography
These days most buyers are looking for high quality photos of your home.
Your real estate agent should be able to line up a photographer to come out on a day that your home is photo ready, and get high quality shots of the interior and exterior. Your agent should also be able to schedule an experienced drone photographer for high quality drone footage of the property.
While these photos should show your home in the best possible light, don’t go out of your way to hide any major damage you’re not planning to repair.
You’ll be found out during the buyer’s inspection regardless, so it’s better to be up front and list below market value.
Sell with Certainty
Real estate transactions are rarely simple.
Our team of realtors are committed to advocating for you in negotiations and walking you through every step of your transaction to make selling as seamless as possible.
For information about listing a property in CENLA, call The REALty Company of Louisiana and speak with a real estate expert today.