Ten mistakes Southern Utah Home Sellers Make

Selling your home isn’t something you want to do without being prepared. There are a lot of things involved, and you can make a lot of mistakes if you aren’t prepared. Some of these mistakes can cost you a lot of money. Below are ten errors sellers often make in selling a home in Southern Utah, and ways to get around them.

Mistake #1: Not Making a Great First Impression

Be sure your home is clean and that you’ve made as many repairs as you can before showing it to potential buyers. That first impression is critical, and often, buyers won’t even care about seeing the rest of your house if the outside doesn’t look in good shape. Fix as many things as possible. The general rule is that the buyer will lower their offer by three to five hundred dollars for every one hundred dollars of repairs needed.

Mistake #2: Attempting to Sell Your Home on Your Own

There are some Southern Utah home owners who are very successful at selling their own home, but many aren’t. In fact, according to statistics, home owners who don’t use an agent end up selling their homes for much less than they could have. You should at least consult with a real estate agent before attempting to sell your house because they are trained professionals and will be able to give you advice and information about the Southern Utah real estate market.

Mistake #3: Not Leaving a Way Out

If your agent asks you to sign a listing contract that doesn’t include a way for you to fire them, do not sign it. Otherwise, you could end up with a Southern Utah real estate agent who isn’t performing as well as you’d like, and they may not be able to sell your house in the time frame you want. Always be sure to find out about how to change agents before signing anything, and always read the contract before signing it to make certain it includes a way for you to change agents.

Mistake #4: Having the Wrong Southern Utah Real Estate Agent Sell Your House

While having an agent can help you sell your home quicker, having the wrong agent can be a disaster. You want to find an agent who has a good track record with selling homes in the Southern Utah area and who knows how to market your house. You also want to pick an agent you are comfortable with since you will be dealing with him or her on a regular basis.

Mistake #5: Not Considering the First Offer

Sellers have been known to pass up the first offer because they assume a better one will come along. However, this isn’t always true. You don’t want to end up taking a lower offer because you let that first one go by. In the real estate world, property is more appealing right after it’s listed, so always consider the first offer.

Mistake #6: Cleaning Up the Inside But Not the Outside

One of the biggest selling points of your home is curb appeal, or making a good first impression on the buyer the instant they pull up to your home. Do everything you can to make certain this impression is very, very good. Mow the lawn, repaint anything that needs it, and clean up your front porch and yard. If a buyer sees a messy yard or an exterior in need or repairs, they may not even care to see the rest of your home. Do as many repairs and touch-ups as possible to get the buyers interested.

Mistake #7: Being Home When Potential Buyers Show Up

It’s a good idea to leave the house when your agent is showing it to potential buyers. Otherwise, the buyers might feel rushed because you are at home, or they might not be comfortable opening closest doors. Your agent is there to ensure that the buyers behave themselves, and you should give them as long as they need. There is plenty to do in Southern Utah, so take this time to go out to dinner or do something fun or relaxing.

Mistake #8: Setting Too High of an Asking Price

There is a lot of Southern Utah real estate on the market right now, so you should be very careful when you determine your asking price so you can be competitive. Sometimes, basing your price on how much you paid for the property or on how much money you’ve spent on improvements isn’t the best way to go. If you overprice your home, buyers may pass it up, and you will probably have to lower your price in the end. You should talk to a real estate agent and find out if the Southern Utah real estate market is favoring the buyer or the seller before you determine your asking price.

Mistake #9: Not Eliminating Odd Smells From Your House

Before you show your home to a potential buyer, make certain there are no pet odors, cigarette smells, or other odd smells in the house. In fact, you’ll probably want to have a friend or relative come over and give you their honest opinion of how your house smells. If they find something smells odd, you should do everything you can to eliminate that odor. Don’t try to cover it up with sprays, either; the smell will eventually come through, and the potential buyers won’t be amused.

Mistake #10: Not Reading the Fine Print

If you don’t read a contract very thoroughly and understand all of your rights, you could sign something that ends up costing you a lot of money. The contract to sell your house is very detailed, and it’s also legally binding once it’s signed. Be sure to have your agent read over it, and take it to a legal professional if you aren’t entirely comfortable with it. Your agent should tell you about every item on the contract and explain each to you in detail before you are asked to sign it.