Home Selling Myths

There are a lot of myths surrounding…well, everything. We all know and have repeated myths to friends and family for generations. Sometimes, just like MythBusters, we need to set the record straight about certain myths. Here are a few myths about selling your home.

Myth #1 My home does not need to be staged.

Buyers will always find it easier to see themselves in a home IF it is not full of your family heirlooms and mementos as well as your family pictures and clutter. When potential buyers walk through a “well lived in home,” they see that. You want them to see the potential, but you most definitely want them to be able to see themselves in the space.

Myth #2 My home does not need to be prepared to sell.

Then there are the homes that are “DIY specials” or “Handyman Specials.” Any home that is in any fixer- upper stage will not get top dollar. There are people who look for homes like this, but the majority of people do not or cannot take on these types of homes. With the still high costs in construction goods, they are also hesitant to do so. By maintaining and then updating the things in your home that need to be for that dollar amount you desire, you will make yourself viable to more buyers.

Myth #3 For Sale By Owner saves me money.

Shortsighted, this may appear to be the case; however, most realtors can net you at least 25% more for your home, so they get you the money to pay for their services and then some. That increase will more than pay for any agent commissions. Using a realtor not only helps you broaden your network for potential buyers, but it also takes the work off of you. With less than 10% of homes sold by private individuals, it is not hard to see why people prefer to let a realtor do the work.

Myth #4 Overpricing my home leaves room for negotiation.

Overpricing your home with the intentions of negotiating lower pricing later can backfire for so many reasons. If it is overpriced, many people will just not consider it. Your home may not show up in searches for those who would potentially pay what you wanted for your home, if it’s at a threshold. It could sit on the market longer — which leads potential buyers to worry that something is wrong with the home. This last one can leave you in a situation where you have to drop the price to sell, and that is not good for you.

So there are a few myths about selling your home that are important to keep in mind as you prepare to list it. Find a solid, hard working realtor to do the work for you.