A new survey from home search site Zillow found that 84% of Americans who sold a home for the first time in the past two years—recent first-time home sellers, in other words—have regrets about the timing and pricing of their homes and how they prepared their home before selling.
Regret #1: Pricing
According to Zillow, the most common thing that 39% of first-time sellers wish they had done differently is to set a different asking price.
Setting the price too low could mean missing out on a higher return on your initial investment
Setting it too high could turn off prospective buyers and lead to a slower sale, particularly if you are forced to drop the price.
It’s more important than ever for sellers to rely on the advice of a great local agent who understands their neighborhood and has a winning pricing strategy.
Regret #2: Ignoring Online Curb Appeal
The front of your home is the first thing that buyers see – both online and in person. Make sure that you have excellent, professional high-resolution photos for your online listing. Consider drone photography for larger properties.
Before you take pictures, try to look at your home through the eyes of a prospective buyer.
Remove any outside clutter
Mow the lawn
Mulch the gardens
Trim back overgrown trees and bushes
Refresh the gardens with new plants and colorful flowers in pots.
Regret #3: Bad Timing
With a fluctuating market, it’s hard to know when the best time is to list your home, but 25% of recent home sellers said they wish they had chosen a different time to list.
According to Zillow, April is the best time to put your home on the market.
Let’s face it; spring is a beautiful time of year. Flowering trees are at their best, and gardens at their freshest. Spring is a perfect time to complete your outside renovations that will make your home more appealing to buyers. It’s also a great time to catch the attention of homebuyers with children who are looking to complete the sale and relocate before the beginning of a new school year.
Regret #4: Skimping on Repairs
If you plan to get your home ready for the spring selling market, now is the time to tackle those repair projects you have been putting off. More than 25% of recent sellers say they could have gotten a higher sales price if they had done more work on their home before listing, but it’s important to prioritize what to do and what to skip.
Sellers need to think strategically about their return on investment before diving into repairs and renovations. Obvious repairs include those that will need to be done in order to pass inspection. Other projects will boost the sale price and send a message to a potential buyer that a home is well maintained.
The most commonly completed seller projects include
Landscaping
Interior painting
Carpet cleaning
Whit Harvey provides his clients with a punch list of repairs and enhancements divided into “must-do”, “should-do”, and “do this for a better return on your investment”. He is your best bet in deciding how to best showcase and prepare your home.
When you work with Whit, he provides a list of vetted vendors that can help you get your home into tip-top shape before listing.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens
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