Have you been thinking about selling your house quickly?

Or is your home already on the market, but you’re not getting offers? I am here to help! Here are the 5 biggest mistakes when selling real estate and how to avoid them so you can get those great offers to come in quickly.

Before you get to be a successful seller you must think like a buyer.

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. Scrolling through different properties online is so fun and deciding to go see a few in person is a big step.

Now ask yourself, “What differentiates the properties I scroll past and which do I want to go see in person?” Another question to ask is why do they skip the listings they skip?

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 real estate. Let’s get your property from one they browse online 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’re talking with your neighbors and friends bring up the best highlights about the property. Sharing the best parts of the house is a great way to create advocates for the sale. Ask your agent for their detailed marketing plan, including how they create momentum for your listing before it ever goes live in the MLS will help guide 

Mistake #2. Showing only by appointment

I gotta’ tell ya’ friend, the most common reasons a listing doesn’t get shown is because there is a “by appointment only” requirement. 

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to only show by appointment however, if there are only a few hours each day 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 other options besides showing by appointment and keeping a figurative open door for people to traipse through unannounced.

Mistake #3: Posting the wrong photos

A clear 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, and master bedrooms, and other areas that stand out should be the only photos listed. You want to encourage them 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.

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 to existing properties is that they no longer necessarily need to take a shot in the dark and guess what a buyer would want, like new floor coverings for kitchens, counter tops, or paint colors in order to receive offers. If a Buyer wants to remodel anyway, they likely won’t care if the house is turn-key.

The one thing that people will draw them 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 field in Washington State is very low. If you’re serious about selling your Pierce County property for top dollar, work with someone who has a heart to serve, and the background to cover your ASSet. If you have a friend that 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?