Most people struggle with where to begin
And What To Prioritize When Preparing Their House To Sell. This is especially true when selling your FIRST house. Before you get to call yourself a successful seller you must first think like a buyer, so let’s put on our first-time homebuyers hat for a moment.
Imagine your excitement when searching for a new home. You dream about a comfortable place to have your friends over for a birthday party, or you want to host the next family holiday event. You have fun scrolling through different properties online, and then you take the big step and decide to go see a few in person.
Now as the seller, ask yourself, “What differentiates the properties a buyer scrolls past from the ones they go see in person?”
After decades of witnessing just about every listing faux pas, misstep, and bad marketing strategy out there, I’ve compiled this list of the 5 biggest mistakes when selling and created this beginner’s mini-guide to selling your first house.
Let’s get your property from one they scroll past to one they are compelled to see in person!
Mistake #1: Waiting to market
In today’s social media world there are plenty of ways to create intrigue before your house officially goes on the market. Preliminary marketing and preparation are important, so when you talk with your neighbors and friends be sure to bring up the best highlights about the property. Share the best parts of the house with others to create advocates for the sale. We provide a detailed marketing plan and create momentum for your listing before it ever goes live in the MLS.
Mistake #2: Showing only by appointment
I gotta’ tell ya’ friend, the most common reason a listing doesn’t get shown is because there is a “by appointment only” requirement.
There are plenty of legitimate reasons to show only by appointment; however, if there are only a few hours each day that the house is accessible to be shown, then the likelihood of the buyer viewing and making an offer on another home goes up dramatically.
To ease the anxiety of showings, I’ve come up with a seller’s care package that cuts down on the anxiety. There are options between showing only by appointment and keeping a figurative open door for people to traipse through unannounced, and we’ll work together to find the best-fit showing strategy for you!
Mistake #3: Posting the wrong photos
A beautiful picture truly is worth a thousand words. Clear, properly composed photos are critical to communicating a property’s value to prospective buyers.
Not only do you need great photos, but you need photos of the right areas!
Places like kitchens, living rooms, master bedrooms, and other areas that stand out should be the only photos listed. You want to encourage prospective buyers to come in and see more, not give it all up at first glance. Strike the right balance with online images to encourage in-person showings of your property.
Wise Home Purchases Don’t Just Happen.
They’re Intentional.
Mistake #4: Ignoring curb appeal
Thanks to shows like Fixer Upper, the DIY craze has inspired and empowered an entire generation to take on home renovations instead of buying brand new construction. What this means for sellers of existing properties is that they no longer need to take a shot in the dark and guess what a buyer would want—like new floor coverings for kitchens, countertops, or paint colors—in order to receive offers. If a buyer wants to remodel anyway, they likely want the house as-is.
However, the one thing that will always draw people in is the first impression. The curb appeal!
Add some symmetry to the front porch with plants. Consider painting your door a bold, bright color. Clear out the dead shrubs, and maybe spread some grass seed. Remember: that first impression might be all you get when selling, so make it count!
Mistake #5: Not working with a professional
Everyone knows someone who sells real estate. The threshold for entry into the real estate field in Washington State is low. If you’re serious about selling your Pierce County house for top dollar, work with someone who has the heart to serve, and the background to cover your ASSet. If you have a friend who is a real estate agent, check out my list of the 5 questions you should ask yourself before working with a friend or family member.
Here’s the deal: if you want to sell your property for top dollar you need to speak with someone who can reduce your anxiety, help you take calculated risks, and bring you from just another property on the market to a property that will actually sell.
Think you’re ready to make the jump and get your home listed to sell?
Give me a call for your no pressure consultation. 253-632-2920
