Top Myths and Facts About Selling Your Home

Though the internet is a good starting point to find out about the home selling process, there’s a lot of misinformation floating around about how to sell your home. Some of the below myths are taken for face value, perpetuating a knowledge gap between real estate agents and homeowners. 

Avoid this pitfall and enter the real estate market informed and confident by reading the following myths and facts about selling your home.

Myth: The Seller Determines the Selling Point

Though you may have the final say for the listing price, there are other factors that determine the selling point when you sell your home—market conditions, property size, and location. Your own subjectivity and personal attachment to the home can also get in the way of accurate pricing, and the last thing you want is to have your home sitting on the market due to a high asking price. 

If it’s priced too high, you run the risk of your listing going stale and your home not appearing in a home buyer’s search (but the home buyer will find your competition nearby). This might help your neighbor sell their home faster than yours!

Fact: Priced Right Homes Sell

The first few weeks that your home is on the market is the time when you attract the highest number of qualified interested buyers. If your home is priced right, potential buyers might just start a bidding war and you can sell your home for more money than you’d listed it for.

Myth: Never Go with the First Buyer

There’s a common misconception that the first potential buyer will try and give a low offer, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! The first offer you receive is most always going to be the best offer you receive (given it’s within range of your asking price). As stated above, the first few weeks is when your home will receive the most attention so the first offer you receive may be the most competitive. Plus, you can save months of HOA fees, mortgage payments, and showing hassles by accepting an early offer.

Myth: Houses Sell Themselves

Nope! Good staging, lighting, marketing, and a listing agent can all help sell your home. Though agents bring in qualified buyers, a home buyer has their own list of wants and needs that’ll determine if they make an offer on your house. Agents don’t manipulate buyers into making an offer, they simply point out your home’s assets and help them envision what a life would be like on the property. 

Fact: Your Involvement Matters 

Cooperation and communication is key. Be prompt in answering any questions the potential home buyer might have so as not to irritate any party involved. You don’t want the potential home buyer getting fed up or discouraged by patchy communication that could signal a tedious journey ahead. 

It’s also your job to make sure that there are professional photographs and videos available in your listing! Most potential buyers check out homes online first before pursuing further interest. 

Myth: You Don’t Have to Depersonalize Your Home

We get it. Going through your home and creating a neutral space can be an emotional, alienating process. However, the best chance you have to sell your home fast and at a premium is when people can picture themselves there (instead of staring at family pictures).

Fact: Clean and Uncluttered Sells

Not only is it visually appealing and makes your property appear larger, but a clean and tidy home signals to the potential home buyer that the property has been taken care of and there will be less repairs and problems down the road. Plus, people feel better about paying more for a home without any red flags.