TOP 10 "DON'TS" FOR SELLERS

For all you sellers, selling can definitely be an intimidating process. There are many potential mistakes one can make, but no worries because I am here to help you catch them! Here are ten mistakes to AVOID when selling your home! 

1) Do not spend big money on improvements!

That does not mean to avoid trying to set yourself in a good competing stand point in comparison to other sellers. However, you do not want to over spend. To know if your investment would be worth it, look at how much it would cost to do the repairs in relation to how much you would get back! If spending 10k will get you back 80k, it’s a no brainer! Go for it!

2) Landscaping

Do not underestimate the power of landscaping! This can really impact and improve a potential buyer’s first impression of your house! Landscaping comes at a lower cost too! Get some fresh mulch, your trees trimmed, get some weeds removed, or even spend a weekend doing some gardening work yourself. Also, if you know that your property looks the best in the summer but you are planning on selling in the winter, make sure to take photos of the property during its prime time!

3) Do not ask more for your home than it’s worth

Some people think “okay, I’ve spent a lot on improving the house, now I need to ask for more”. This however, is one of the biggest mistakes one can make. Buyers tend to search for properties in a block of pricing, so if you have priced yourself outside of that range, you may not even be seen by sellers.

4) Do not forget odors!

Odor is a very big deal. I have listed homes that have pets, and I dearly love them myself! However, you must make sure to not offend any potential buyers who are not so pet loving (e.g. those with pet allergies). If the estate gets locked up for a while, there can be some stale odors. If someone smokes, this is a big thing too. You can rent ozone machines to help with the smell. Some think that putting in air fresheners will be helpful, but some people can be offended by added perfumes as well. So, make sure to be conscious of the odor!

5) Do not leave clutter in your closet!

A lot of people think that you can shove everything into the closet and then no one will know. But buyers will look into your closet, and the organization. If everything is just stuffed into a closet, it may also give the impression that there is not enough space. They also look into your fridge, not just to check out the appliance, but also to just see what type of people are living there.

6) Make sure to catch all the details

When buyers come in to look at your home, they are looking at the details. Make sure your light fixtures work, your appliances look sharp, your doors are not hanging off the hinges, and that the windows are clean. You can easily take a weekend off to go around the house and paint your baseboards or recaulk the bathtub. This makes a big difference, especially since buyers tend to think that things cost 3X more than it actually does to repair.

7) Do not decorate with political affiliations, family portraits, or bear rugs!

I once had strictly vegan clients who were very passionate about the ethical treatment of animals, and we went to visit a seller who was a hunter. The seller’s house had animal heads hung up everywhere on the walls and the fireplace, and needless to say, the clients were mortified. So be careful with what type of personality you give the house with your decorations. decorate with a neutral palette!

Now on to some more surprising ones!

8) Do not add a urinal to your bathroom upgrade

I have not seen many urinals in the houses I have shown, but if you are thinking of putting one in, DON’T! Apparently, a urinal will not provide much return on your investment. 

9) Do not add a sunroom/do not close your deck

Sunrooms require a lot of maintenance, risks leaks, and means you lose a lot of outdoor space. If you are thinking of adding a sunroom to enhance your square footage, this is not a good idea for resale. A deck or patio is much better!

10) Do not get too trendy

Maybe you want to get hip by following the latest brightest colors! You can paint and stage and spruce up some things, but it is important to not always go with the hottest paint colors for the time. You want the house to act like a blank canvas for the buyer to envision their own painting on!

If you want any additional DIY tips for sprucing up your house, feel free to contact me! Send an email to natasha@vancityhometeam.com