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10 Common mistakes to avoid when selling your home

November 9, 2023

Selling Your Home? Avoid These 10 Common Slip-Ups with Jacobs Steel Estate Agents’ Help

Congratulations on taking the first step towards an exciting new chapter in your life! But before you put your home on the market, it’s essential to be aware of the potential pitfalls that can arise when selling a house. That’s where Jacobs Steel Estate Agents comes in – we’re here to help you avoid the 10 most common mistakes that sellers make.

To ensure a smooth and successful transaction, it’s crucial to stay informed about the potential hiccups along the way. From setting the right asking price to adopting smart marketing strategies and making the right choices for conveyancing, there are plenty of opportunities for sellers to make costly missteps unintentionally.

These missteps can not only impact your property’s appeal but also prolong the selling process and ultimately lower your final sale price. That’s why we’ve created a list of the top 10 most common mistakes to help you navigate the home-selling journey with ease.

1. Overpricing Your Home

While it’s understandable to want to get the best possible price for your home, overpricing it can lead to a longer sales process and deter potential buyers. Keep in mind that the average sale takes approximately 20 weeks.

Click here to find out how we can shave time off of the sales process.

2. Leaving Clutter In Your Home

Don’t underestimate the impact of a cluttered home. Not only can it make rooms feel cramped and uninviting, but it can also give off the impression that the home is not well-maintained. 

Prior to showing your home to potential buyers, take the time to declutter and depersonalise the space. This means removing excess furniture, toys, and family photos to create a neutral, spacious atmosphere that allows buyers to envision their own life in the space. It may seem like an easy fix, but the results can be monumental!

3. Neglecting Essential Repairs

When selling a home that has been well-lived in but needs some care, it’s important not to overlook necessary repairs. Even small issues such as leaky faucets, chipped paint, or squeaky doors can dissuade potential buyers and make them feel that your property has not been well-maintained. If you’re not inclined to fix these problems and you already reside in the home, why would a new buyer be interested? Taking care of these minor repairs can lead to a more lucrative sale. Remember, a little effort can go a long way.

Here are some key points:

  • Don’t overlook necessary repairs when selling a home
  • Even minor issues can deter potential buyers
  • Taking care of minor repairs can lead to a higher sale price

4. Inflexible Viewing Schedules

While it’s important to prepare your home for estate agent showings, being inflexible with viewing schedules can be a turn-off for prospective buyers. To make it easier for them to visit your home, try to accommodate different time slots, including evenings and weekends. Remember, it may be a temporary inconvenience, but it can lead to long-term benefits.

5. Disregard Home Staging: 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t

When it comes to selling your home quickly and for the best price, home staging can be a game changer. A well-staged home showcases its full potential, highlighting its best features and creating an inviting atmosphere that attracts potential buyers. If you’re unsure where to begin, consider consulting with a professional home stager to get the job done right. Don’t hesitate to ask your estate agent for recommendations.

Go one step further and read our blog about How Interior Design Can Add Value To Your Home.

6. Ignore Feedback

When selling your property, it’s crucial to listen to feedback from potential buyers and their estate agents. Constructive criticism or suggestions should not be ignored or taken as a personal attack. Instead, it’s important to consider the feedback and make any necessary adjustments. Remember that this feedback is meant to assist you in the selling process, not hinder it.

7. Overlook the Importance of Marketing

When it comes to selling your home, marketing plays a critical role in ensuring a successful outcome. It’s vital to hire an estate agent with a solid marketing strategy that includes a blend of proactive selling, digital marketing, and traditional advertising methods to give your property the attention it deserves.

Click here to read more about our marketing process to provide the ultimate success in selling your property.

8. Leave Admin to the Last Minute

Are you disorganised when it comes to admin work? Here’s a helpful tip: organise your paperwork in advance. Preparing information before the sale is agreed upon can save weeks of time in the long run.

9. Focus On The Highest Bid Only

When you receive multiple offers, don’t be hasty and choose the one with the highest bid. While price is a significant factor, reliability is just as important. Be wary of buyers who may delay or back out, particularly if you need a quick sale. Consult with your estate agent, who can offer useful information and guidance in this regard.

10. Forget to Include Moving Costs in Your Budget

When selling your home, it’s important to make a profit. However, many people forget to account for the expenses associated with the process, such as the cost of moving.

Visit our blog page to give you a better understanding of who and what is involved in the property selling process to help you map out a budget for the moving process.

Remember, it’s all about setting the right price, making a good first impression, and being prepared for the market.


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