1. Pricing your home too high
Obviously every home owner wants top bucks for their home. However, it is not a good idea to price your home too high. Your real estate agent will show you all the listings for similar homes that have recently sold in your neighborhood. You want to list your home with these in mind.
2. Not staging
Making your home clutter free and presentable to the widest number of potential buyers can only mean a faster sale for you. I have written about the benefit of staging before—see In Mississauga Real Estate, How Can Staging Benefit Me as a Seller that was posted April 12th for example—so I won’t expand too much here. In my experience, staging does work.
3. Not cleaning your home prior to EVERY showing.
I recommend all my sellers to ensure their homes are neat and tidy for every showing. I know life is busy and it is tough to juggle all our commitments and try to sell a home, but some potential buyers can easily dismiss a property if the feel it is dirty. Make your home clean and make it smell good! (If you have a pet, make sure your house doesn’t smell like it. If you cook with a lot of spices, ensure those smells aren’t extensive throughout your home.)
4. Buying a home first
Buying a home first can put undue pressure on a seller. It can lead to increased levels of stress as the thought of carrying two mortgages becomes a more likely possibility. I recommend that most people should sell first and then buy; there are some exceptions. But generally, it is a good idea.
5. Not having the right agent
An experienced Mississauga real estate agent will have enough expertise behind them to enter into negotiations confidently. Having an agent with the right skills can not be under estimated. It is a mistake to be caught trying to close a sale with an agent who doesn’t have the understanding and aptitude to get the job done.
6. Remaining at home during showings
Every potential buyer wants the freedom to explore your home to see if it is the right fit for them. It is not a good idea to remain home while the showing is ongoing, to point out home improvements or new appliances. All of this information should already be in your home’s catalogue or listing or other marketing information that your agent should produce for you.
7. Not undertaking minor repairs
Fix that leaking kitchen tap. Ensure the grout in your bathroom floor isn’t crumbling. In other words, it is a good idea to undertake all the minor repairs needed to ensure your home shows like it is in live-in condition. Potential buyers want to feel like they can move into their new home hassle-free.
8. Underestimating the effect of curb appeal
Messy, weed-infested gardens will turn some buyers away. As will driveways littered with toys. Try to keep your grass mowed, in the very least. Your front door should be inviting, neat and clean. Every potential buyer will make a quick assessment of your home, based upon what it looks like from the outside.
9. Trying to sell your home yourself.
Selling Mississauga real estate and obtaining top dollars for a property takes skill, commitment and qualifications. It is important not to underestimate the extensive benefits of hiring a real estate agent. A great agent will know how to market your home properly to increase the possibility of a quick sale.
10. Believing only the spring is the right time to sell
Buyers exist all year-long. While it is true that the spring market is typically a very busy time in real estate, every season is filled with people who need or want to purchase Mississauga real estate. If the time is right for you to sell, then the time is right to find a buyer.
For more information, please contact me at 905-502-1500.