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16 Seller Mistakes

1. Pricing Your Home too High
   Ask your realtor to research comparable sales in your area to give you an idea of what similar homes have actually sold for recently.  Also ask your realtor to give you a list of homes in the price range you are considering.  This will give you an idea of the other sellers you will be competing with.

2. Taking an Inflexible Position on Financing
   Ask your realtor to explain what financing options are available.  If you are willing to be flexible with your financing terms you may be able to secure a better selling price - and there may be other advantages as well!

3. Errors in Market Timing
   Ask your Realtor to determine whether the market cycle is poised to net you the most money.

4. Not Providing Easy Access for Showings
   There are many ways to show a home.  "Appointment Only" is the most restrictive.  Lock boxes (key safes) are the most accessible.  If your home is easy for agents to show, more prospective buyers will see it, improving your odds of getting the deal you want ; however your Realtor will help you determine a solution that will best fit your situation.

5. Not Using Current Technology
   Make sure your Realtor is up with the latest technology, such as internet sites that cater to home buyers.  Check around to see what technology is being used in your area.  In some areas, cable-access advertising is popular.  Others use 800 number interactive voice response systems.  A good agent will know where you can get the best exposure. 

6. Failing to "Stage" your Property for the Best Response
   Put some items in storage, create more light, play music or otherwise improve the ambiance.  Your Realtor can offer helpful advice to create the right first impression.

7. Believing that Selling Property is Seasonal
   Don't base selling decisions on the seasons.  Property sells all year long.  Your Realtor should be able to provide you with a report of homes that have sold recently to give you an idea of current market activity.

8. Pricing your Home too Low
   One reason to hire a Realtor is to make sure that no money is left on the table.

9. Not Re-evaluating the Market Plan
   Re-evaluate your marketing plan with your Realtor every 10 days.  You and your Realtor may need to make changes based on market behavior. 

10. Believing your Agent is Not Doing the Job When There Aren't Any Offers
    If your home has been on the MLS and you've been available to show the home but it hasn't generated any interest, it may be time for you and your Realtor to re-evaluate the price you've chosen.

11. Ignoring the Importance of First Impressions
    Sales have been lost by un-kept lawns, cluttered closets, unpainted front doors, hard-to-work locks, blown light bulbs, bad colors, stains, unlit areas and bad smells.  Spend time on the little things.  Double up on your gardening, keep things cleaner than usual.  Take serious control of your pets during this period.

12. Not making the Right Kind of Repairs
    Don't be tempted to make improvements prior to listing without consulting your Realtor.  Some upgrades will not yield any real increase in value, while others may increase property value substantially.

13. Not Giving the Sales Effort Enough Time
    You should never give too little time to what is inherently a long process.  Homes may take 3-6 months to sell, in any market.  Estimate how much time you have before you need to sell and then plan ahead to allow extra time.  You don't want to be forced to accept a disappointing offer.

14. Not Screening Prospects Adequately
    One of the best reasons for hiring a Realtor is his ability to prequalify a prospect financially before valuable negotiation time is lost.

15. Believing that You Can't Make the Difference
    The top agents in the industry report that sellers themselves are responsible for about one out of 10 sales.  You can network your business and personal friends, you can hand out fliers at your place of business and elsewhere and you can keep the house in "move-in-condition."  Your agent should be ready to hand you all sorts of assignments to make the "team effort" successful.

16. Testing the Market
    Never put your home on the market, unless you really want a sale!  Get ready for a professional sales push when you list with a great Realtor.  If your plan harbors some indecision, resolve it before you list, because success is every great Real Estate Agent's objective.