Top 10 Listing Fails and How to Avoid Them

When you’re selling your home, ideally, you want it to sell in as short a time as possible. That way you can move on with the next chapter. 

How do you maximize your chances of selling quickly? Well, there are several things you shouldn’t do when listing your home for sale.

Read on to find out more and how to avoid making a costly and timely error.

Inaccurate description

This may seem obvious, but sellers beware. Posting a description of your home that over exaggerates certain features or paints a different and inaccurate picture to potential buyers spells trouble. Sure, you may get many interested buyers coming out to take a look at your home, but when the listing description doesn’t match what they’re seeing in person, it isn’t likely to go over well or end in a sale.  Ensure you work closely with your real estate agent to describe your home well and highlight what it has to offer.

Going without a real estate agent

Posting a listing of your home for sale online yourself may seem like the easiest route, but it’s almost always a better choice to go with a knowledgeable real estate agent to help you in the sale of your home. They have experience, know the market well, and are more likely to get your home sold in a quicker period and at a fair price, as opposed to if you had just listed yourself.

Too high of a list price

This is something all sellers should avoid. Setting the list price too high can significantly shrink the pool of potential buyers and won’t necessarily end in a sale at a higher price. While listing lower can draw in more people, and the price can increase significantly with bidding wars.

Not providing a detailed description

Think about it—if there isn’t enough information on a listing, you may just click on the next one. Don’t assume that people will have the patience and enough interest to inquire about the listing and ask for more information. Providing a thorough description enables potential buyers to make an informed decision about your home and avoids unnecessary and time-consuming back and forth.

Not checking other listings in the area

Don’t forget to discuss what other comparable homes are selling for in your area with your real estate agent. By doing this, you will have a better idea of what to list your home at and ensures you don’t sell yourself short or place a listing on the market that is way too high in price.  Your real estae agent should walk you though this and help you make a decision you are comfortable with.

Too much clutter

A messy home is almost guaranteed to turn off potential buyers. Make sure that before taking photos and before showings, your home is in tip-top shape.

Poor photo quality

Not having good quality photos with your listing (or, perhaps even worse, not having any pictures besides an outside shot) is an almost guaranteed way to keep your home on the market for longer. D&G will  ensure you have good photos taken that will intrigue people browsing homes online.

Not being flexible with showings

The goal is to maximize the number of potential buyers looking at your home. Being flexible with showings is essential to accommodate people’s busy lives and schedules.

Leaving behind pet clutter

A clean home is a lot more appealing than a dirty one – even when the mess is left behind by your sweet furry friend (think cat/dog hair). We know shedding is natural, but it can give the appearance of a dirty home when you're showing it. Vacuum it up as best as you can.

Not maximizing curb appeal

Do the most with what you’ve got! Cleaning up the outside of your home is just as important as the inside. It’s people’s first impression, so mowing the lawn, planting fresh flowers and cleaning windows are all good ideas.

We hope this has been a beneficial read! For more real estate advice, and if you’re looking to buy or sell your home, we’d be happy to help you on that exciting journey! Feel free to send us an email at giulio@dgrealtyteam.com.