Selling your home is a major life milestone. One of the most important things to remember is that you only get one chance to make a first impression – that is why taking the time to prepare for the sale and anticipating problems prior to listing are crucial.

Here are a few important points to keep in mind when preparing your home for the market.

Setting the Right Price

A common mistake sellers make is pricing a home too high and then lowering it periodically. Even in this competitive market, buyers do not want to pay more than what the comparables (comps) show, so it is critical to get it right the first time. Pricing too high can backfire, while underestimating your home’s value might cause you to leave money on the table.

Making Costly Renovations

Sellers often think that by making renovations or improvements to their home before selling will increase their home’s value. Truth be told, renovations can be costly, and you may not always recover the cost in the purchase price. Besides, some buyers prefer to make their own renovations to personalize the space. If your goal is to add to your home’s value, you might want to think twice.

Putting off Major Repairs

Conversely to making costly renovations, ignoring major repairs can decrease the value of your home. A long list of maintenance issues are sure to turn away most buyers so consider prioritizing the most glaring issues, especially those that are bound to turn up during an inspection prior to closing.

Showing Your Home in the Best Light

Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that buyers mention that they want in a home. Remove heavy drapes or window coverings, clean the windows, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and trim outdoor shrubbery to let in sunshine. In other words, do what it takes to make your house bright and cheery.

 

Storage Space

Buyers look for storage space. And, they like to snoop in closets and cabinets. If your closets are chuck-full of clothes and shoes, you will want to clean them out and re-organize. Remember – ample storage can seal the deal or have yourself shaking your head in frustration whether you are a home buyer or seller.

According to Estelia Mesimer, RE/MAX Metro realtor, half the battle of selling a home is anticipating problems before they come up. As an experienced professional, she has successfully guided sellers to make their homes market ready. Estelia says, “I understand the challenges of what it takes to sell a home. It is much more than just placing a For Sale sign in the front yard.”

Bottom Line: While selling your home is a major life-changing decision, it does not need to involve aggravation, frustration or hassle. Avoiding these common mistakes can result in selling your home faster and at the best price.

Related Links:
How to Get Your House Ready to Sell: A Checklist
Fool-Proof Paint Colors That Will Sell Your Home

If you’re interested in any of these of communities or live in one of them and are thinking of selling, call Estelia today!

Allendale Terrace
Bahama Shores
Bayway Isles
Coquina Key
Crescent Heights
Crescent Lake
Downtown
Greater Pinellas Point
Historic Kenwood
Historic Old Northeast
Historic Roser Park
Historic Uptown
Isla del Sol
Old Southeast
Placida Bayou
Snell Isle