Four mistakes homeowners make when listing their property for sale.

There’s no doubt that selling your home can be an extremely daunting task and often when we meet with our sellers at the beginning of the sales process, they are feeling overwhelmed by the mission ahead. And, we are here to say that THIS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL! It’s ok to feel like there’s a lot at stake BUT, we want to encourage our sellers to feel motivated and inspired throughout the sales process - after all it’s usually an exciting time for most sellers as they transition into a new stage of their lives. 

And, whilst we are HUGE advocates for selecting the most suitable agent for the job (not just picking the agent who offers you the highest sale price or lowest commission rate), the weight of a quick result is not entirely on their shoulders. It’s important as a property seller, you understand just how much YOU can infiltrate the results of your property sale by presenting your home in its absolute best light. 

Now, whilst the current property market here in Perth might be making it a little easier for homes to sell quickly, there are still a range of common mistakes that we see sellers making everyday that are often detrimental to a swift sale. So, we thought we would take the guesswork out of the equation for all those sellers out there, with a list of all the mistakes to avoid this selling season. 

1. Neglecting to make easy repairs.

When listing your home for sale, it’s always our top priority to minimise a buyer’s objections to the sale and this is critically important when it comes to home repairs. Well-maintained homes give a positive first impression, whilst unfinished or neglected homes cause a buyer to stop and think about the additional cost, hassle and effort involved in their purchase. Don’t give them this opportunity! Make sure your paintwork is up to scratch, your carpets are looking clean and all light fittings are in tip-top shape. 

2. Overcapitalising when making improvements.

There’s no doubt that buyers love a home that is move-in ready but renovations come at a cost. Whilst you might think it’s a good idea to install a brand-new kitchen, laundry or bathroom to modernise the home, these areas can add up very quickly. Plus, if the buyer prefers a different style, it will still be first on their to-do list when they move in, and that will be factored into the price they are prepared to pay. 

If your house has areas which can be improved, look for easily achievable methods of transforming rooms without splashing too much cash. Paint can do wonders to quickly transform dated kitchen or bathroom cabinets and walls, and give a fresh, clean impression.

3. Pricing the home too high.

Whilst the Perth market is certainly experiencing phenomenal results of late, a big problem real estate agents still have is when homeowners have an inflated idea of the value of their home. 

Listing a home with an excessive price early on in the campaign, may turn people off which makes it difficult to re-engage them later on. When a house has been for sale for a long period, it becomes stale and buyers feel this indicates there is a problem with the house.

Avoid disappointment by being realistic about the price your home can achieve. Your chosen agent should be a local expert who can guide you on this based on recent sales in your surrounding area. We suggest looking seriously at any offers that are presented to seal the deal early.

4. Trying to hide obvious problems. 

Termite damage? Dampness? Non-compliant pool fencing? Do any of these problems ring a bell to you? Whilst it might be easy to hide these problems cosmetically, a professional building inspection will soon bare all to potential buyers who will  then foresee additional costs and hassle as reason to terminate the sale. Don’t let easily repaired problems hinder your sale - be smart and get them all sorted before going to market. You won’t regret it!