Selling your home is a big decision that comes with a lot of responsibilities. If you’re here because you want to sell your home fast, we can help with that. But don’t neglect essential details that will help your home sale be more successful and profitable.
If you’re new to selling your home, or even if this isn’t your first home sale, take a look at these tips from San Diego real estate agent Mike Myers. In this article, Mike outlines common mistakes home sellers make and how you can avoid them.
1. Miscalculating the Cost of Selling A House
When you sell a home, there are many costs associated with the process. People often forget to consider these costs when estimating the selling price of their home.
These costs of selling a home in San Diego typically include:
- Closing costs
- Escrow fees
- Title fees
- Commission fees
- HOA fees (if applicable)
- Home Warranty
To avoid any surprises, make sure you familiarize yourself with the costs of selling a home before you get started. If you’re confused about these costs, a good real estate agent can help. When choosing a real estate agent, ask them about associated costs. If they’re knowledgeable about your housing market and area, they should be able to answer your questions.
2. Selling A House That Needs Work
Some people choose to sell their home as a fixer-upper. While this is an option, addressing necessary repairs can get you a significantly higher profit for your home sale. Whether it’s an old roof or a damaged front porch, attending to these repairs before listing your home will allow you to significantly raise your asking price.
The most important repairs to focus on before your home sale are:
- Kitchen and bathroom cabinets
- Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.)
- Bathtub and/or showers
- Heating and air conditioning systems
- Walls, ceiling, and floor
- Electrical panels and circuits
- Water heater
And don’t forget minor repairs. Addressing squeaky hinges, dripping faucets, and cracked windows may be easy fixes with significant returns. Buyers assess every detail, so the more detailed you are in the repairs, the more success you’ll have in your home sale.
3. Not Staging A Home for Sale
Staging your home is an integral part of a home sale. Whether your open house will be virtual or in-person, buyers inspect every detail of homes. The first step to home staging is decluttering your space. A messy or cluttered home is less attractive to potential buyers, and it makes the space feel smaller.
Once you clean and organize, you may want to consider repainting. Not everyone will love a green bedroom or an orange living room as much as you might. Painting in neutral colors makes it easier for viewers to imagine themselves in the space, and it’s easier for a buyer to paint over if they choose to do so.
And don’t forget curb appeal. The curb appeal of your home means how your home looks from the street (i.e., the curb). This means paying attention to your front porch and your lawn. Consider planting some flowers. Or, for a quick fix, buy some potted plants.
If you’re marketing your home to families, it’s important to stage your home for families. This includes focusing on family spaces, like the living room and backyard. And removing personal items from children’s bedrooms, so it’s easier for potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space.
4. Using the Wrong Home Pricing Strategy
This is one of the most common mistakes home sellers make when selling their properties. The price you set for your home should be around actual market conditions and true value. In San Diego, the average home is valued at $754,901.
And keep in mind that every home is unique. You may be able to get more or less than that home across the street because you have a larger backyard or a smaller garage. Do a lot of research before you set a price. Your asking price should reflect your location, condition and size of your home, and a variety of other factors.
When pricing your home, stick with a round number. For example, if you’re deciding between $755,000 and $760,000, don’t just set the price at 757,245. Busy numbers can be psychologically unappealing to buyers and distract from your home.
A real estate agent can help you determine the perfect asking price based on knowledge of the real estate market and the value of similar homes in your area.
5. Not Hiring A San Diego Real Estate Agent
Some people choose to sell their homes without the help of a real estate agent. However, a good real estate agent can help you stage your home, value it correctly, enlist a great property inspector, find potential buyers, and more.
Plus, a real estate agent should be aware of any costs that come with selling your home and help you prepare for these and organize all necessary paperwork. Without a real estate agent, your home could be on the market many months longer than necessary, or you could receive less money than you should when you sell.
When choosing a real estate agent, do your research. You can even meet with multiple agents before you decided which one is the best fit. An excellent real estate agent should have great referrals and reviews, a knowledge of your area and real estate market, and an understanding of your needs.
Thinking Of Selling Your Home?
Knowing these common mistakes home sellers make can help you navigate the complicated process of selling your home. But the most important part of ensuring the home sale process goes smoothly is a great real estate agent.
If you’re in San Diego and considering selling or buying a home, or you have questions about home selling or buying, contact Mike Myers. Mike’s personable approach to home sale and dedication to his clients means he puts your needs first.
Mike works with new home sellers and buyers to help them understand the process from beginning to end and get them the best offer possible. With years of experience in the San Diego real estate market, Mike can help you value your home correctly or make important decisions in your home buying process.
Contact Mike Myers today at (619) 980 2378 or [email protected].
