So you’ve decided to put your home on the market. Congratulations! Hopefully, you’ve brought a rockin’ real estate professional on board to help you list your spot, and together you’ve done your due diligence on what price to ask for. As you start checking things off your to-do list, it’s also important to pay mind of what not to do. Below are a handful of things to get you started.
Don’t over-improve.
As you ready your home for sale, you may realize you’ll get a great return on your investment if you make a couple of changes. Updating the appliances and replacing that cracked cabinet in the bathroom are great ideas. However, it’s important not to over-improve, or make improvements that are hyper-specific to your tastes. For example, not everyone wants a pimped-out finished basement equipped with a wet bar and lifted stage for their rock-and-roll buds to jam out on. What if your buyers are family oriented and want a basement space for their kids to play in? That rock-and-roll room may look to them like a huge project to un-do. Make any needed fixes to your space, but don’t go above and beyond—you may lose money doing so.
Don’t over-decorate.
Over-decorating is just as bad as over-improving. You may love the look of lace and lavender, but your potential buyer may enter your home and cringe. When prepping for sale, neutralize your decorating scheme so it’s more universally palatable.
Don’t hang around.
Your agent calls to let you know potential buyers will be coming by this afternoon. Great! You rally your whole family, Fluffy the dog included, to be waiting at the door with fresh-baked cookies and big smiles. Right? Wrong. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your space, not be confronted by you in your space. Truth be told, it’s awkward for them to go about judging your home while you stand in the corner. Get out of the house, take the kids with you, and if you can’t leave for whatever reason, at least go sit in the backyard.
Don’t take things personally.
Real estate is a business, but buying and selling homes is very emotional. However, when selling your home, try your best not to take things personally. When potential buyers lowball you or say they’ll need to replace your prized 1970s vintage shag carpet with something “more modern,” try not to raise your hackles.
