Costly Home Selling Mistakes Before You List Your Residence

by Rebecca Schaffer 10/07/2018

For home sellers, it is essential to dedicate the necessary time and resources to streamline the process of adding your property to the real estate market. In addition, you should prepare for any challenges that you may encounter after your home is listed. By doing so, you can avoid many costly mistakes.

Ultimately, there are numerous costly mistakes that may prevent a home seller from optimizing the value of his or her residence, including:

1. Underestimating Your Closing Costs

Closing costs may put a major dent in how much you obtain for your house. Fortunately, you can calculate your closing costs before you sell your home.

Consider all of the expenses that may be included in your closing costs. From attorney and other professional fees to excise tax expenses, you'll want to account for any and all costs that may impact how much you'll earn for your house.

Also, if you ever have concerns or questions about closing costs, be sure to consult with a real estate agent. This housing market professional can explain how closing costs work and help you plan accordingly.

2. Guessing Your Home's Price

What you paid for your home several years ago is unlikely to be what the same as what your house is worth today. Thankfully, you can meet with a home appraiser to determine the true value of your property.

A home appraisal offers a great first step to determining the right price for your home. Meanwhile, a home appraiser may be able to help you identify home problems that you can correct prior to adding your home to the real estate market.

Furthermore, don't forget to check out the prices of comparable homes that are available in your area. This will provide you with the housing market data that you need you to price your home competitively from the get-go, boosting your chances for a quick home sale.

3. Letting Your Emotions Get in the Way

Let's face it – listing your home can be stressful, particularly for a first-time home seller. However, it is important to do whatever you can to prevent your emotions from getting in the way of selling your home.

Setting realistic home selling expectations may enable you to remain calm, cool and collected after you list your property. Luckily, real estate agents are available to guide you along the home selling journey and ensure that you are fully supported at every stage.

Your real estate agent will offer expert tips and recommendations, allowing you to understand the ins and outs of the real estate market. He or she also will negotiate with homebuyers on your behalf, keep you up to date about offers on your residences and host open houses to promote your residence to a broad array of homebuyers. Thus, your real estate agent can help you avoid the stress and anxiety that is commonly associated with selling a home.

Avoid the aforementioned home selling mistakes, and you should have no trouble maximizing the value of your residence.

About the Author
Author

Rebecca Schaffer

I fell in love with Northeast Florida after a visit 10 years ago. My husband and I decided this was where we would move from the hectic pace of South Florida. As our son was about to transition to High School we made the move and haven't looked back. We quickly settled into the Saint Augustine area. It always amazes me how friendly and caring the people are in northeast Florida and it was a very quick process to make friends and get plugged in. As a real estate investor myself, I understand the experience and the needs one has when buying, selling and renting a home. It is one of life's biggest decisions. It is so helpful to have a realtor with knowledge and patience to provide the guidance one needs through the process. This is where I focus to provide my customers the best possible experience.