Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home

Deciding to sell a home in Chicago can be a major undertaking. It comes with a lot of emotions, it’s time-consuming, and it can be downright confusing at times without the right information in your arsenal. That’s why I have made it my mission to guide you through the process, bringing levity and perspective to all of your real estate decisions.    

If you don’t know what it takes to sell a home in Chicago, navigating the market can be especially difficult.  It’s a complex process that requires careful thought and educated guidance so as to avoid costly mistakes. With my expertise on your side, though, you will be able to avoid some of the common stresses and pitfalls of real estate transactions altogether. It’s all about going in with the right support team ready to put forth their expertise, experience, and dedication. So, let’s take a look at some of the most common mistakes sellers make so that you can avoid them for a successful sale.   

• Attempting FSBO – Not hiring an agent, especially for those first-time sellers, is a risky move.  Sure, for-sale-by-owner transactions can work, but at what price? With an experienced agent on your side, they can help you set a competitive and fair selling price.  It’s their job to know the best ways to go about selling your home quickly and with the best possible outcome. Agents understand how to negotiate, they know the paperwork, they know how to deal with potential problems, they know how to tame emotions for all parties involved, etc.  They know the process inside and out.
• Setting unrealistic expectations – It’s important to trust your agent’s expertise. Remember, they’re there to help you sell your home at the best price and as quickly as possible, but if you try to push an unrealistic asking price, that’s not going to be helping them do their job or you in the long-run. Setting a fair, competitive asking price is absolutely key. With all of the information available these days, potential buyers and their agents will know the market.  So, give your home the best chance of making an impression, and remember that there’s always room to negotiate once multiple offers start rolling in. But, overpricing won’t make it sell faster.   
• Dismissing photos – Most potential buyers will first see your listing through internet searches these days.  You simply can’t afford to list your home without crisp, clear, professional-looking photos. These are often your home’s first impression, a chance for viewers to make that vital emotional connection where they can see themselves building a life in your home. Listings that lack quality photos or photos at all are more likely to be overlooked, as potential buyers will simply move on to the next listing that piques their interest that comes with beautiful photographs. So, make sure you’re showing off your home and its best assets right upfront.   
• Making emotional decisions – Those entering into a real estate transaction, whether buying or selling, need to approach the process with a business mindset. Agents understand that purchasing and selling a home comes with a lot of emotional weight, but once real preparations and financial discussions begin, it’s best to set emotions aside. The transaction needs to be strictly approached from a financial perspective. This is the only way to ensure your best-case outcome and a way for you to re-shift those emotions towards more excitement towards the prospect of a successful sale and the possibilities that lie ahead.  

While these are just a few of the most common selling mistakes we see in real estate, there are so many other aspects of the process that can also hold up a sale. That’s why it’s so important to hire the right agent. When it comes to working for you, your satisfaction is my success! Chicago is my home, too, and I will help you navigate the market with ease. I can help you prepare your home for a successful sale so that you can carry that sense of accomplishment and joy with you as you start the next chapter of your life.