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Selling your house can be both exciting and stressful, especially if it’s your first time. Avoiding common pitfalls can make your home-selling experience smoother and more profitable. Here are some key mistakes to avoid:
Underestimating Costs: Selling a home incurs costs like agent commissions, which typically consume 5-6% of the sale price. For instance, selling a $300,000 home could mean $18,000 in commission fees.
Waiting to Sell: While spring and early fall are prime times to sell, homes do sell year-round. Don’t delay listing just to hit a perceived optimal window.
Keeping Clutter: Declutter your home to present it in the best light. Remove unnecessary items, large furniture, and personal decor to make spaces look spacious and inviting.
Skimping on Repairs: Even minor issues can deter buyers. Addressing small repairs like loose doorknobs or leaky faucets before listing can prevent bigger concerns during buyer walkthroughs.
Skipping Pre-Listing Inspection: A pre-listing inspection helps identify and fix issues beforehand, giving you an advantage in negotiations and reducing surprises.
Not Staging: Staging helps buyers visualize living in the space. It can highlight your home’s features and increase the sale price, making it a worthwhile investment.
Working Alone: Not hiring a real estate agent to save on commission can backfire. Agents offer market knowledge, contacts, and assistance throughout the process, making the sale smoother and potentially more profitable.
Avoiding these mistakes can help ensure a successful and less stressful home sale. Proper preparation, both mentally and financially, is crucial to navigating the home-selling process.
