Helena Talbot’s blog – The Most Common Home Seller Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

If you're trying to sell your home, you probably want to do everything possible to make sure your home sells quickly and that the entire process is flawless.  However, there are many homeowners with great intentions that get sidetracked by making some very common costly mistakes.   Here are the most common home seller mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

1.  Don't rush to put your home on the market before it's ready.  Many home owners have to move within a certain timeframe and put their homes on the market before all the pre-sale work is finished.  It's extremely important to do everything that needs to be done before you put your home on the market.  That includes the repairs, the painting, the new carpeting, etc.   You only get one chance to make a good first impression!  If you think a buyer will give your home a second look after he's already seen it in a wreck, you are sadly mistaken.  So just don't do it.

2.  Don't over price your home.  Quite a few homeowners will price their homes above what the market is dictating.  Overpricing your home will not only cause your listing to go stagnant, but it could also delay the sale and potentially lower the offers you get for your home.  This is because buyers will begin to think something is wrong with your home after they've seen it sit on the market for an extended period of time.  There are other homes on the market from which your buyer has to choose.  So why do you think they would pay more for yours?  They won't!

3.  Don't over improve your home.  Sometimes a homeowner will perform upgrades that don't add any money to their bottom line in an effort to sell their home more quickly and for more money.    In some cases, certain upgrades will end up costing you money.  Talk with your realtor before deciding on which upgrades should be completed.   Your realtor knows the neighborhood, the floorplans and the other homes on the market and will be well equipped to recommend the upgrades that will bring you a higher return on your investment and which ones will not.


4.  Don't get emotionally involved in the sale of your home.  It's normal for you to feel an emotional attachment to your home, especially after you've lived there for a while.  However, once you put your home on the market, there will be buyers who don't see your home the way you do.  Some of them will want to change things and use things differently than you do.  Some of them will not like certain aspects of your home, even though those may be the things you love the most about your home.  But don't let those ideas and comments get in the way of a sale.  Once you put your home on the market, it's no longer your home.  You can keep your fond memories of the home but now it's time to move on.  

5.  Don't try to cover up any problems with your home.  Every home sale requires you to disclose all issues and problems with the home.  Talk to your realtor about the best way to handle any problems in or around your home.  If you don't disclose all known problems, you could be sued and held liable for them in the future.  

It's extremely important that you follow the recommendations of your realtor.  Your realtor has the knowledge and the experience to  sell your home quickly and for top dollar.  Most home seller mistakes could have been avoided had the homeowners just listened to the recommendations of their realtors.  

Your realtor has your best interest in mind at all times.  Remember, your realtor doesn't get paid until your home has been sold.  

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  

I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

For a free market analysis on the value of your home, please visit http://www.LoudounHomeValues.com

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods includeLeesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800

Free iPhone/Android Mobile App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App:  Text “Exit9” to 87778 or enter http://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.