Preparing to sell a home, especially if it’s your first time, can be a confusing and complex process. It’s only natural to hope it will sell quickly and easily, at or above your listing price, but there’s a good chance there will be many other homes for sale at the same time you decide to put yours on the market. This is why it’s incredibly important to do everything you can to make sure that your property stands out and is as appealing to potential buyers as possible. In order to do this, you must avoid committing the errors below that can make it very difficult for a seller to close the deal.

Not Paying Attention to the Current Market Conditions

The real estate market is constantly fluctuating from being in favor of buyers to being in favor of sellers. If you aren’t up on the current market conditions but go ahead and list your home anyway, you could find yourself having to accept a much lower price than you’d anticipated or end up just watching it sit unsold for a long period of time. Research what the market in your area looks like so you can make an educated decision on whether or not it’s actually the right time for you to sell.

Not Being Honest About the Property’s Shortcomings

You may be tempted to leave certain information undisclosed about your property if it will make it look less attractive to buyers in any way, but this dishonesty can come back to cause you problems if the truth comes out at a later date. It’s better to be forthright from the beginning about any issues you’re aware of and repairs you’ve recently had done so that a proper solution can be worked out before you’re facing legal ramifications.

Not Listening to Suggestions Made By Your Agent

Hiring a real estate agent can be extremely helpful and put you at an advantage over other houses for sale that are by owner, but it only benefits you if you actually listen to their suggestions. As a professional in the industry, your agent will be the best person to assist you with marketing your property, negotiating the sale and completing the paperwork. Their advice is valuable in achieving a favorable outcome.

Not Making Sure Your Home is in Suitable Shape to Present to Buyers

Expecting to sell a home as-is isn’t very realistic. Most properties could use some deep cleaning and sprucing up, especially when it comes to the curb appeal, which is what generally makes the first impression on a prospective buyer. Get recommendations on staging a house and making it presentable enough for interested buyers to be able to imagine building a life in.

Not Asking a Rational Price

While it’s understandable to want to get a high dollar amount for your beloved home, you must set a selling price that’s rational and comparable to other homes for sale in your region. This is a key component for anyone trying to sell their property in a reasonable timeframe. Asking a far-fetched amount that’s more than its actual worth will likely mean that your house will sit on the market for quite some time, making it lose value in the process.

Whether you’re ready to place your property on the market now or just preparing for the future, it’s critical to keep these missteps in mind so you get the most out of your transaction and don’t lose the interest of buyers to other houses for sale.