23 Mistakes to Avoid If You Want to Sell Your House Fast
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Are you trying to close a real estate deal quickly? If you’ve sold (or tried to sell a house before), then you know the struggle is REAL. It is overwhelming, time-consuming, emotionally draining, and sometimes frustrating, especially if it’s an emergency sale. Well, unless you have beginner’s luck. Small mistakes when selling your property can mean costly delays, as your property is left on the market longer than expected.
May 2022 data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reveals that 17 percent of home sales in the U.S. encountered delays. Ultimately, a fast sale is possible, but you have to properly plan and avoid mistakes that make it take longer to sell. Here is a list of 23 common mistakes home sellers make and what you can do to avoid them to find a faster, smoother home sale.
Ignoring Other Potential Methods of Selling
You don’t have to stick to traditional sales methods. Sure, they still work—but not as efficiently. The process can be simplified through direct buyers, auctions, or I Buyer platforms such as Open Door, leading to quicker closings. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that more than 52% of recent buyers found their dream home that they ultimately purchased online.
The more platforms a seller uses to try and sell a house, the faster it will get a buyer. These platforms offer a wide variety of buyers, unlike only putting up a sale sign on the property. Sellers should maximize these platforms for faster sales.
Giving Up Too Soon
Selling is a process, but you will succeed if you don’t give up. Stay proactive, take necessary actions, and repeatedly reevaluate your strategies to keep making progress.
Redfin reports that Americans are having a hard time offloading their properties, with more than three in five home listings now considered “stale.” In May 2024, 61.9 percent of homes for sale had been listed for at least 30 days without going under contract.
One should not feel discouraged if a sale doesn’t happen. Rather, one should be encouraged after showing the house, even without a final offer, as a sign that there is hope for selling.
Ignoring Seasonal Trends in the Market
Seasons can really impact the real estate market. Spring and summer are often the high seasons for home sales due to increased buyer demand. A 2023 report by ATTOM Data Solutions notes that sellers can bag thousands of dollars more if they time their sales during the peak months of May, June, and April.
The three slowest months of the year are October, November, and December. On the contrary, selling in the winter months might require changing your approach to account for lower buyer traffic. Understanding these seasons will help you strategize accordingly and can improve sales.
Not Setting the Right Price
Getting your home priced correctly is critical. It can’t be too high, or buyers could hold back, but it can’t be too low, or you could leave money on the table.
According to a study by Zillow, overpriced homes sold 50 percent slower on average than those listed near market value. Have a real estate agent perform a market price comparison to determine a reasonable asking price.
Overlooking Curb Appeal
First impressions count. Poor landscaping or an unkempt exterior can turn buyers off before they pass the threshold. “Curb appeal is probably one of the most important and effective tools in selling a home,” stresses Yawar Charlie, a Los Angeles-based agent with luxury brokerage the Aaron Kirman Group.
Invest in mowing lawns, planting flowers, and painting the front door. Make sure the sidewalks and even windows are in good condition. The exterior of a house is the first thing buyers see when they come for a showing. A good exterior is a selling point.
Not Staging the Home for Showings
Buyers need help envisioning themselves living if all they are looking at are empty rooms. Staging helps to highlight a home’s potential and has been shown to reduce time spent on the market.
Staged homes sell 72% faster than non-staged properties, according to the Real Estate Staging Association.
Ignoring the Power of Online Marketing
With evolving technology now real estate buyers are online, with most of the buyers starting their search online therefore, your online presence matters. In the digital platforms you will reach more people and fasten your sales.
Beyond listing the services, you can promote your home’s presence on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram and use descriptive keywords so that it pops up on Google.
Pricing Too High Too Soon
Trying to negotiate from a position of monetary strength usually backfires. Buyers may only consider your listing if you’re open to negotiation or seem reasonable and cooperative.
According to Zillow, properties featuring multiple price reductions are more likely to be overlooked, putting the sale on the slow track.
Not Considering Local Market Conditions
Real estate is a very local business. Not paying attention to your region’s trends, like whether it is a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, can lead to bad decisions, it can cause delays.
Seeking advice from an experienced agent will help you understand and evaluate the market and make the right decisions.
Not Being Available for Showings
Limited availability for showings decreases the odds of homes for sale being viewed. Increase chances of people buying by keeping your home accessible for showings at inconvenient times.
If the seller or homeowner is not available when the buyer wants a showing it will minimize the chances of selling the property on time.
Setting Unrealistic Deadlines
While you might be tempted to rush buyers or set tight deadlines, this can create unnecessary pressure and chase them away. Every buyer has their deadlines and set timelines when they want to close the deals.
As a seller, it’s important to understand that and not put unnecessary pressure on the buyer. Regardless, having your goals and setting realistic timelines would help.
Not Having a Clear Communication Strategy
Misunderstandings arise when you don’t communicate effectively with your agent, potential buyers, and other stakeholders. Good communication helps in smooth search of a buyer and even selling a home faster.
Ensure there’s a plan to keep up to date with what’s going well and what needs to be done so the whole process stays on track.
Dismissing the Importance of First Impressions
The curb appeal only scratches the surface. The small things you cannot see, like how clean it is, how it smells, or how bright things are indoors, welcome you in.
Buyers always want a house that is well-maintained and smells good. Present your home as clean, well-maintained, and cozy to live in.
Failing To Highlight Unique Selling Points
What makes your home unique? When taking photos or giving out information on the house, remember to show any unique feature or antique that will make it stand out.
You might have custom woodwork, a large backyard, or a newly renovated kitchen—all these things can be emphasized to make your property stand out from the competition. You didn’t invest in it to dull its shine now. Show it off—front row, center.
Overlooking the Impact of Pets During Showings
Pet ownership is typical, but some buyers won’t appreciate lingering pet odors and extra fur. Some are even allergic to fur and cannot be comfortable leaving the house for a showing.
“When the damage is significant, however, a home could appraise at 2% to 5% less than market value,” says appraiser Susan Martins-Phipps to Beth DeCarbo at the Wall Street Journal. Deep cleaning and removing pets before the showing can help make your home a neutral space during the showing.
Neglecting Essential Repairs and Maintenance
Minor issues immediately catch a buyer’s eye. Leaky faucets, chipped paint, or old fixtures can reduce your home’s value.
Simple updates like fixing broken appliances, repairing the roof, fixing broken windows, and painting the walls can positively affect a home. Neighborly notes that regular home maintenance can actually increase a home’s value by about 1% yearly.
Not Decluttering and Depersonalizing the Home
In this scenario, less is always more—remove personal items, too much decoration, and unnecessary furniture to let buyers imagine themselves living in the space. They might mean a lot to you but not to the buyer (unless, by some VERY slim, weird coincidence, you’re both into the same things). Still, it’s not worth risking.
When a house is full of things that take up so much space, it gives the buyer the impression that there is not enough space. A clutter-free home seems open, inviting, and more straightforward for guests.
Refusing Professional Advice
Experienced real estate professionals’ advice is helpful, and paying attention to their pricing, staging, or timing recommendations can ensure timely sales.
CMLawyers notes that sellers seeking professional advice experience 10% fewer sale complications than those who don’t. This helps one to make right decisions on the asking price for the house which will help in a fast sale.
Lack of Understanding in the Buyer’s Point of View
Remember, buyers are making one of the most significant life investments, and they will take their time to think and be really sure about it. Not understanding them may delay a sale, or they might not buy.
Imagine yourself in their shoes. Identify critical areas of concern that need improvement, try to understand their point of view, ask what they fear, and try to help them overcome them.
Being Emotionally Attached to the Property
A homeowner can become very attached to the property, be sentimental, and raise unrealistic expectations, which could cloud judgment. CMLawyers warns that properties with emotionally attached owners (sellers) spend 10-20% longer on the market.
Being too attached might result in overlooking potential buyers due to high set standards. It is always important to be objective and professional, treating the sale as a business transaction.
Missing Out on Valuable Feedback
Feedback from showings is essential, so pay attention and try to implement some feedback inputs, such as fixing a problem or reducing the price slightly. Springs Homes states that good feedback from a buyer can give you “to-do” items that will help you sell your home faster.
It also helps you evaluate your competition. You are not the only one selling a house or home. This will help with the next showing, as it would have improved the areas noted.
Being Too Rigid in Negotiations
Having a bottom line is essential, but people should refrain from not budging during negotiations. It is important always to be open-minded when negotiating with the buyer. Being very rigid can alienate people who want to be your customers.
Try to be open-minded about counteroffers. “Personal property can be worked into your real estate negotiation, but buyers must keep in mind that an appraiser can’t see that on a contract,” says Nicole Carrel, a Realtor with Modern Abode in Oklahoma City.
Poor Quality Listing Photos
The ‘Eyes’ always have it. Most buyers now start looking for a home online. Poorly framed, dark, or blurry photos will affect your listing’s selling ability. Raleigh Realty states that 72% of realtors say high-quality pictures win them more listings.
Additionally, 83% of buyers say pictures help them pick homes to visit. Listings sell faster with good, clear photos than those with poor, unclear photos.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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