Mistake #1-PricingIncorrectly

Every seller wants to realize as much money as possible when he sells his home. But a listing price that is too high often gets the seller less than a price that is at market value. If your house is not priced competitively, people looking in your price range will reject your house in favor of other,larger homes for the same price.

Mistake #2-Failing to "Showcase" the Home

Buyers look for homes, not houses, and they buy the home in which they would like to live. Owners who fail to make necessary repairs, who don't spruce up the house inside and out, touch up the paint and landscaping, and keep it clean and neat chase buyers away as rapidly as Realtors can bring them.

Mistake #3-Using the "HardSell" During Showings

Buying a house is an emotional decision. People like to "tryon" a house and see if it is comfortable for them. It's difficult for them to do that if you follow them around pointing out every improvement that you made. It may even have the opposite effect you want, by making them feel they are intruding on your private space.

Mistake #4-Mistaking Lookers for Buyers

A qualified buyer is one who is ready, willing, and able to buy your house. We find that most people who go looking at For Sale by Owners are just starting to think about moving. They may be good buyers, but they're just 6¬9 months away from being ready. They don't want to bother an agent yet, so they call the "ByOwner" ads to get a feel for what's available. They may have a house to sell first, or may need to save somemore, or may have credit that needs fixing.

An agent will ask a buyer how much he can really spend for a house, how much he has to put down, how good his credit is, how much he can pay each month, how much he will realize(realistically!) when he sells his present home and about a dozen other questions like that.

Mistake #5-Not Knowing Your Rights & Obligations

Realestate law is extensive and complex; the contract for sale and purchase is alegally binding document. An improperly written contract can cause the sale to fall through, or cost you thousands for repairs, inspections, and remedies for titled efects. You must be certain which repairs and closing costs you are responsible for. You must know whether the property can legally be sold "asis", and how deed restrictions and local zoning will affect the transaction. If there are defects in your title, or if your property is in conflict with local restrictions, you must remedy them, or you might have to pay plenty.

Mistake #6-Limiting the Marketing and Exposure of the Property

The two most obvious marketing tools(open houses and classified ads) are only moderately effective. Surprisingly, less than 1% of homes are sold at an open house. Agents use them to attract future prospects, not to sell the house!

Advertising studies show that less than 3% of people purchased their home because they called on an ad. And if a machine answers, most callers just hangup without leaving a message. The right Realtor will employ a broad spectrum of marketing activities, emphasizing the one she believes will work best for you. There are dozens of more effective ways to find buyers than just open houses and advertising.

Mistake #7-Believing that a Re-fiAppraisal is the Market Value of Your Home

An appraisal is an opinion of value for a certain purpose. If the lender wants to lend you the money, they are motivated to have the appraisal come in high. The appraiser may ignore fore closure or distress sales in order to justify the high value. But area l buyer in there al world will not ignore these properties. They are your competitors when you try to sell.

The sale of your home could well be the most important financial transaction you have ever been involved with. The person you select can make it a satisfying and profitable activity, or a terrible experience. It's your home, and your money. The choice of your Realtor is upto you.Make that selection carefully.