16 Mistakes Sellers Make When Listing Their Home & How to Avoid

1. Pricing Your home Too High

A Real Estate Agent can research comparable sales in your area and advise you of the appropriate price range of your property.

2. Taking an Inflexible Position on Financing

Have your Agent explain what financing options are available. Being flexible on financing terms may secure a better selling price, with other advantages as well.

3. Errors in Market Timing

Ask your Agent to determine whether the market cycle is poised to net you the most money.

4. Not Providing Easy Access for Showings

There are many ways to show a home. “Appointment Only” is the most restrictive. Lock boxes (key safes) are the most accessible. If your home is easy for agents to show, more prospective buyers will see it, improving your odds of getting the deal you want; however, your specific lifestyle may not be compatible with frequent showings. Your Agent will help you determine a solution that will best fit your situation.

5. Not Utilizing Current Marketing Technology

Make sure your Agent is up with the latest technology, such as internet sites that cater to home buyers. Check around to see what technology is being utilized in your specific area. In some areas, cable-access advertising is popular. Others use 800 number interactive voice response systems. A good agent will know where you can get the best exposure.

6. Not “Staging” Your Property Correctly

Put some items in storage, create more light, play music or otherwise improve the ambiance. Your Agent can offer helpful advice to create the right first impression.

7. Believing that Selling Property is Seasonal

Don’t base selling decisions on the seasons. Property sells year around.

8. Pricing Your Property Too Low

One reason to hire an Agent is to make sure that no money is left on the table.

9. Not Re-evaluating the Market Plan

Re-evaluate your Agent’s marketing plan every 10 days. You and your Agent may need to make intuitive changes based on the current market.

10. Believing your Agent is Not Doing the Job When There Aren’t Any Offers

Most sellers are unaware that 80% of all buyer activity comes from the sign and MLS. Any Agent can provide that. So, if you don’t have a problem showing the home, but it hasn’t generated any interested buyers, it may be time to re-evaluate the price.

11. Ignoring the Importance of First Impressions

Sales have been blown by unkempt lawns, cluttered closets, unpainted front doors, hard-to-work locks, blown light bulbs, bad colors, stains, unlit areas and bad smells. Spend time on the little things. Double up on your gardening, keep things cleaner than usual. Take serious control of your pets during this period.

12. Not making the Right Kind of Repairs

Don’t be tempted to make improvements prior to listing without consulting your Agent. Some upgrades will not yield any real increase in value, while others may increase property value substantially.

13. Not Giving the Sales Effort Enough Time

You should never give too little time to what is inherently a long process. Home may take 3-6 months to sell, in any market. Estimate how much time you have before you need to sell and then plan ahead to allow extra time. You don’t want to be forced to accept a disappointing offer.

14. Not Screening Prospects Adequately

One of the best reasons for hiring an Agent is his ability to prequalify a prospect financially before valuable negotiation time is lost.

15. Believing that You Can’t Make the Difference

The top agents in the industry report that sellers themselves are responsible for at least one out of 10 sales! You can network your business and personal friends, you can hand out fliers at your place of business and elsewhere and you can keep the house in “move-incondition.” Your Agent should be ready to hand you all sorts of assignments to make the “team effort” successful.

16. Testing the Market

Never put your property on the market, unless you really want a sale! Get ready for a professional sales push when you list with a great agent. If your plan harbors some indecision, resolve it before you list, because success is every great Real Estate Agent’s objective.

Success Stories

‘He has been there anytime I needed him and I know if I need him again he would be there too. Brad gave 100% from the first time he called me till the sale was done.’

-Jim V.

‘We really felt like Brad was on our side throughout the transaction and knew how to navigate the process calmly and effectively’

-Curt and Kim C

‘If you are skeptical on a realtor look no further. You will get what you want and when you want it with Brad. His knowledge on this market is second to none. The most unusual thing about this transaction is his exceptional follow up thru out the entire process, and even after we’ve moved in and got settled. He is one of a kind in this market and this profession’

-Scott & Allison T.

‘Thanks to Brad Brinkman and his team we now have a beautiful new home and a great investment into our future.’

-Ryan & Amanda F.

‘He found my house for me when others could not, in a location that I thought would be impossible. His aggressiveness has given me the opportunity to live in a fantastic place.’

-Trace H., Pilot Hawaiian Airlines., U.S. Navy Pilot

‘You made it easy for us to make this move into our new home because you took on all the worries, handling our transaction with skill and expertise. Specifically we were impressed with your approach to business, treating each and every customer as you treated us; as though we were your most important clients’

-Marcie V.

‘He made each transaction very smooth and it was great peace of mind knowing I could count on him.’

-Rebecca W.