If you’re thinking about putting your South Carolina home on the market this year, there are several things you can do to attract offers. On the flipside, there are also things you might do that are sure to deter offers, which, of course, is the exact opposite of what you want. Working with an experienced listing agent is the best way to ensure quality marketing, which is the key to success when selling a home. An agent who has your best interests in mind makes recommendations and helps you highlight your home’s best features.
However, your agent can’t do much without your help. You’ll want to keep your house staged for showings, make sure curb appeal is at its peak and remain flexible with your schedule so buyers can come through on short notice. In addition to being proactive in these ways, there are several big mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
Do not try to sell a house in need of major repairs
Unless you are selling your house “as is,” you’ll want to make sure it’s in good condition before listing it on the market. If there are major issues like plumbing problems, roof damage or other things that will lower the value of the home or raise concerns during inspection, fix them before selling. In some cases, you can find a loophole if you’re not prepared to make repairs ahead of time.
You must be prepared to lower your asking price or negotiate a deal with a buyer who is interested in the house but doesn’t want to pay full price because of disrepair. You can’t blame a buyer for trying to protect his or her interests. Who wants to pay full price for a home they’ll just have to turn around and sink a bunch of money into for repairs? Overall, it’s always best to make as many repairs as you can before listing your home for sale.
Don’t let emotions get in the way of your list price
Another big mistake sellers often make is setting an unrealistic list price on their home because of its sentimental value. Buyers are not concerned with your emotional attachment to your home. You have a history in the house, but that history does not necessarily increase its value.
An experienced real estate agent can conduct a comparative analysis with other homes that have recently sold in your area. If you’re asking a price that exceeds what the average home of similar size in your area sells for, you’re probably asking too much. If you price it too high, you’ll likely wind up having to lower it at some point. When prospective buyers view it online and see the price going down, they automatically wonder what’s wrong with the house. Keep your emotions out of your list price.
Never use amateur-looking photos to market a house online
If you do one thing to increase your chances of selling your home, take time to produce quality photos for advertising. It may be worth hiring a professional photographer. Most buyers today begin their home searches online. Poor quality photos are a detriment to the goal you are trying to accomplish. If buyers don’t like what they see online, they won’t schedule a showing.
If you avoid these three mistakes: not making repairs ahead of time, setting an unrealistic list price, and using poor quality photos to market your house—you’ll increase your chances of attracting interest and getting offers on your home.