Putting your home on the market can be a difficult and lengthy process, with many hurdles to overcome before selling the property. According to Terry Fisher of Any Home Buyer, property owners are making the same mistakes that can hurt their chances of finding a buyer. He said: “Selling a home can be difficult to navigate, from the practical challenges of finding a buyer at the right price to the emotional toll of leaving a place you hold dear to your heart.
“We often see people make the same mistakes when deciding to list their property on the market, and they can prolong the process and even reduce the sale price. Selling a home can be relatively easy if you know what you’re doing and have the right tips and procedures in place.”
1. Being very sensitive
The expert explained how selling a home can often be emotional, from the excitement of starting a new beginning to the sadness of leaving a place that holds so many memories.
Terry explains: “However, you have to remember that this is more of a financial transaction than anything else and being emotional can hurt your chances of selling quickly at the right price.
“A buyer won’t see your home through the same rose-colored glasses as you do, so don’t be upset if they don’t like your design or layout choices as much as you do.”
Read more: How to get rid of mold: The natural way to get rid of ‘hard mold’
Homeowners can check reviews online or go with people recommended through friends and family.
3. Imposing an unpleasant taste at home
The expert explained: “We all have likes and dislikes that make us who we are, but we understand that not everyone shares our preferences.
“When it comes to selling our homes, it’s always good to keep the decor sweet but not overwhelming.
The key is to make the home a place where the buyer sees themselves, with plenty of scope for them to make their own mark.
Read more: ‘Simple changes’ to boost home ‘sale’ by £5k
This may include removing items when buyers come to view the property.
4. Being too stingy or generous
With the high cost of living, renovations can be out of sight for many.
However, the expert said it is important to consider what homeowners can do before their home goes on the market.
He said listing photos could “damage” the property and turn off potential buyers.
Terry adds: “In this respect, investing money in improvements such as a new kitchen or garden can be a waste of money if the buyer decides to tear up and start with a blank canvas.
5. Not keeping everything in order
Selling a home can be a long process, so homeowners must be prepared to overcome any obstacles that may come their way.
As the expert explained: “Delays of even a few days in obtaining papers such as energy performance certificates, for example, can have a domino effect and lead to delays down the line.
Talk to your real estate agent about exactly what you need to do and when, then make sure you’re ready to go to sell your home as smoothly as possible.
