How NOT to sell a house.

A few common mistakes you would be surprised people make when trying to sell their home.

Selling your home can be one of the most stressful periods of life as well as time-consuming. Everyone is desperate for a quick, hassle-free sale but with the possibility of strangers criticising your beloved property, it’s hard not to take things personally. We all think we’re showcasing our home in the best way but you’d be surprised at how easy it is to get it wrong, so below is how NOT to sell a house…

1. Being emotionally attached to the property

When you decide to sell your home, it is so important to remember that this is now a business transaction. Remember that not everyone will like your home, and you must not take it personally. People just have different tastes and know what they are looking for, similar to how you were when you visited homes before buying. Take a final perspective and remember if you are serious about selling then you shouldn’t be too attached. It will be much harder for you when it does sell.

2. Setting an unrealistic price

When you decide to sell, you will most likely get a few agents to come out and value your property. There is a fine line between the right and wrong price. Whilst we all would like more money, it’s a fact – overpriced houses do NOT sell. One of the questions we get asked a lot is “how long has this property been on the market?” We have got to be completely honest, if a house has been on the market for too long – perspective buyers will wonder if there is something wrong with it that they can’t see.

3. Using minimal photographs

In today’s society, most people turn to the internet to look at properties, which means good quality photographs and lots of them are a necessity! Make sure your photographs are taken in a good light and from a number of angles because the better your home looks in photographs, the more likely someone is going to book to view it. The photography could be the best it could be but another point I have to make is making sure your home is actually ready for photography.

4. Bad preparation for photography  

First impressions always count so make sure your home is clean and tidy ready for photography. A photo says a thousand words, so if two houses were up against each other on a portal – one was full of images with dirty clothes scattered all over the floor vs one that had clothes put away and freshly made beds, which one would you view? Fresh flowers look great and if there are minor things that need fixing such as a light that doesn’t work, fix it. Dirty dishes on the kitchen side are also a massive no-no!

5. Hiding problems

There is only so much photographs can do, it is fraud if a photograph is edited to not look like the real thing so whether you have a small decor disaster, or an outdoor problem that needs fixing up – fix it before selling or come clean and prepared for it to be noted in the asking price.

6. Being negative and not flexible

Many sellers forget that their own behaviour says a million words, if you are frosty or rude then that is the vibe they will remember when viewing your home. Potential buyers may want to visit in the evening or at weekends to it is important to accommodate to their needs. After all, you would expect the same.

There are lots of mistakes that people can make when it comes to selling a property and unfortunately, the reality is that they are very common. However by avoiding these mistakes, your sale should go through stress-free and successfully. If you have any questions, then please get in touch with one of the team today!