If this professional does his job well, not only will you sell faster, but he will also tell you what is the real highest price you can aim for. However, there will always be people who prefer to try it on their own. If you are one of them, here are 10 tips on the most common mistakes that, based on our experience, we know you should avoid at all costs.
1. Clean and tidy the house before taking photos.
Seems obvious, doesn’t it? The photos you upload have to show a nice and beautiful environment, where the future buyer thinks he will feel at home. If the home looks cluttered you are likely to dismiss it outright, without a real compelling reason.
2. Depersonalize the floor
Your family photos, decor and any personal items do nothing to help prospective buyers see themselves living there. Before doing a good photo shoot, all these objects should be removed and more impersonal decorations should be added, such as flowers, a bowl of fresh fruit, colorful pillows, etc. Ideally, a professional should do a “home staging” session to adapt your house to the taste of as many clients as possible.
3. Take good pictures
Any photo will NOT sell your house. The photos must be of high quality and a real estate agency can offer you the invaluable help of a professional expert in real estate photography. It is necessary to take care of the lightingthe compositionthe framingthe approachIn addition, a good professional should be able to offer you technological solutions such as 3D virtual toursideal for potential buyers who live far away or whose visiting hours do not coincide with yours. It is not enough to arrive and take three quick photos with your cell phone!
4. Fixes small defects
There is no need for major renovations or construction work. In fact, we do not advise it unless your house is totally of origin and cannot be lived in. It is enough to fix those small flaws that may detract from the price of the property: chipping or stains on the walls, broken blinds, doors or windows that do not close… Many times, a coat of paint is more than enough to leave the house in perfect condition.
5. Take care of the characteristics of the advertisement
The correct wording of the ad is fundamental so that, with a few words chosen and written in the right order, the potential buyer is immediately aware of the main virtues of your house and what differentiates it from the rest. The description of the property is very important, because it depends on it that the future buyers feel that this apartment is really worth it.
6. Don’t set the price too high
It is logical that as a seller you want to get the maximum profitability, but an excessively high price will drive away potential buyers and, over time, turn your home into a “burnt apartment“. Trust us, it’s the last thing you want for your home. Before putting it on sale it is advisable to carry out a study on the price of the house in the area where you are selling. Adjusting the price well is the first step to succeed in the sale operation.
7. Don’t refuse to listen to offers
The housing offer is wide and refusing to negotiate the price of the property is not a good decision if we want to sell quickly. Sometimes a small reduction can convince the buyer, so it is advisable to be open to negotiation. Also, don’t forget that you can always make a counteroffer with the conditions that you consider most important to you.
8. Don’t forget about selling expenses
If you are going to sell your house, you will also have to assume a series of expenses. If you have a mortgage, you will have to pay for the economic and registry cancellation of the mortgage, in addition to the notary fees, municipal capital gains tax, and personal income tax in the following year’s income tax, unless you meet the requirements for the various cases of exemption or deduction.
9. Have your documentation ready
It may seem that it is enough to place an ad to sell to sell your house, but in reality there is a lot of paperwork to be done that should be expedited before closing the deal. The energy efficiency certificate is a good example, but it is also necessary to have the deeds of the house, the correct inscription in the Land Registry or the certificate of outstanding debt if you have a mortgage. These are documents that prospective buyers will need before they can make a purchase.
10. Recognize when you should change your mind.
It is common to think that you are going to advertise your house on your own and “they are going to take it off your hands”. In practice, this is not the case most of the time. And when this happens, it is usually because the individual did not take the advice and the price was too cheap! If your property has been for sale for some time and you have not achieved the results you were expecting, it may be time for you to get expert advice to give you professional advice and prepare you a customized marketing plan to give your home that new lease of life it needs It’s never too late!
As you can see, selling a property is not a piece of cake. It is a slow process, for which we must be prepared, well informed and patient. We hope these 10 tips have been helpful. At HogarAbitat we are at your disposal for any questions you may have. Good luck!
