Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your St. Louis Home
No one wants to make mistakes that could cost them money, especially when trying to sell their St. Louis home. If you educate yourself about the potential mistakes that can be made during the home selling process, it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. These nine common mistakes are easily avoidable and are easy to watch out for.
You Need an Agent
Trying to sell your St. Louis home on your own, while admirable, is not exactly the best decision you could make. Hiring an agent will keep you from suffering a headache through the entire process. An agent will not only help you to know the market you’re getting into but will be the sounding board you need when things get overwhelming.
Make Needed Repairs
Make any repairs that your St. Louis home may need before it goes on the market, rather than after. If you leave the repairs until later they will either be pointed out by potential buyers or show up during a home inspection which will end up costing you more.
Price is Important
Find out what the current market is like, what your home value is and work with your agent to set a price that is fair. If you’re home sits on the market for too long people will begin to wonder if something is wrong with the home, so don’t overprice it. You also don’t want to under price either or you’ll be left wondering if you could have gotten more out of your home. It’s important to work closely with your agent to set a price you can live with that is fair.
Honesty is the Best Policy
Treat potential buyers with the same respect you expected when you bought your home. Be honest with your buyers at the very start of the process. Remember: things that you potentially leave out could come back to haunt you when it comes to closing.
Keep Your Emotion in Check
It’s important to keep your emotions at bay. Being too attached to your home will give the buyer the impression that maybe you aren’t ready. Don’t be upset when potential buyers point out or ask about the flaws your home may have – they aren’t attacking it they are simply trying to learn as much as they can.
Show Your Home Off
Clutter and junk do not show off the potential that your home has to offer. Most buyers will make purchases with their heart, so remove all junk and clutter so that they can fall in love with the home the same way that you did. You want to show off the many features the home has, not distract them with clutter.
An Empty Home Doesn’t Sell As Easily
You also do not want to show the home empty; this will leave your buyers feeling as if the home is dull and lifeless which will lead them away from a purchase. You want them to be able to see the house as a home, complete with furniture so that they can see themselves living in it.
Timing is Everything
Remember that if you time your home sale correctly you can receive a great deal of tax benefits. Work with your agent to find the right closing day that gives you the most in benefits; this could end up saving you thousands of dollars.
Don’t Forget Closing Expenses
Work with your agent throughout the process to maintain a list of the costs and fees that you will be responsible for at closing. It’s important to know what to expect so that you can plan for what money you will spend along the way.
Save yourself the headache and money by knowing what St. Louis home selling mistakes to avoid you can easily avoid. Selling your St. Louis home doesn’t have to lose you money, especially when many mistakes can be avoided simply by getting off to the right start and knowing what to avoid. Work closely with an agent and don’t be afraid to ask them for advice along the way – their expertise is why you hired them.