Don't Make These Mistakes When Selling Your Champlin, MN Home

When selling homes for sale in Champlin, there are several common mistakes that home sellers make that can cause a delay in closing, receiving a lesser sale price, or stop the sale from happening altogether. Selling your home isn't a perfect science, but avoiding these few common mistakes can get your home sale off to a great start.

1. Don't list your house before you're ready. A good portion of the home selling process is ensuring that your home is desirable enough for the buyer to want to make an offer. Making sure the property is clean, clutter free, and as close to move-in ready as possible will help to obtain a buyer early in the home selling process, which will eliminate some of the inconvenience of the home selling process and create that urgency to bring a higher offer.
2. I get asked a lot what repairs or improvements should I make prior to putting my home on the MLS (multiple listing service)? There's not always a clear cut answer, but remember most cosmetic appeal is a personal preference, you can't always anticipate what a buyer will want for improvements. There's lots of things you can do to prepare your home to sell without spending a lot of money. Cleaning is first, white glove if you can handle it, remove clutter, remove things you don't use, remove knick-knacks, de-personalize the house, remove family photographs, store kitchen appliances under the sink or in a cabinet versus the countertops, get the carpets cleaned, paint! Paint is one item that is the least expensive and can make the biggest difference. A nice neutral color throughout the home increases appeal and will cover any nail holes or hide some wall blemishes making the home appear more move-in ready.Watch for possible deferred maintenance on your home, take a walk through and check squeaky doors, tighten loose knobs, check for drawers or doors that don't shut flush with your cabinets, the more repairs you can make now the less a potential buyer will see as a project. If you can afford to make updates, bathrooms and kitchens will yield the highest return. The key is not to over-improve for your neighborhood. Doing so could mean the price you expect for your home will not meet market value. In most cases, sellers elect to sell the property as-is instead of making large updates or upgrades that may not appeal to a potential buyer.
3. Your Realtor does matter. Real Estate has changed over the last several years and the way buyer's search for homes has also changed. It's important that your Realtor knows how to market to the appropriate buyer for your home. Having a proven market system ensures that your home receives maximum exposure and reaches all potential buyers. The days of a for sale sign in the yard and a home on the MLS (multiple listing service) have changed! Finding a local, Real Estate agent, experienced with internet marketing, negotiations and pricing competitively will ensure that your home is sold for the highest price possible. The faster your home sells, typically the more money you will make. An experienced Realtor will ensure that your home doesn't sit on the market and become stale to potential buyers. Ask around, get a referral. Just knowing someone licensed does not always mean that they'll do the best job for you. Ask questions, and first and foremost, ensure the Realtor that you pick is willing to work for you and not for themselves.
4. Disclose, Disclose, Disclose! It's your duty as a home seller to disclosure any potential issues with your home. If you have made repairs to a leaky faucet, updated or upgraded a basement or had to make a claim due to a storm or hail, you must disclose that information. Most home buyers realize that a previously owned home will have had some issues over time, in fact, some buyers like to see what repairs have been made so they mentally are aware of what has already been done. It may seem appealing to overlook a small repair, but don't! Not disclosing could mean a court filing after the sale if proper information was not given to the buyer. In the end not disclosing will likely cost you much more when concealing the truth.
5. Be proactive about the home selling process and the home buying process. If your plan is to make a move-up purchase, chances are you will have a home to sell before you buy the next home. Talk with your Realtor about your plans moving forward so that they can assist in making that process easier for you. Don't forget, talk with a lender BEFORE you put your home on the market, ensure that you're qualified, and then make a plan for how much money you will put down, consult with your Real Estate agent about using possible proceeds from your current home to buy the next home. It doesn't always work out to buy and sell a home the same day, but most Realtor's will do whatever they can to make the process seamless.
6. Do the best that you can to keep the emotion out of the home selling process. A house is made a home by the people that live there, and the events that occur over time. This sentimental value is not transferred to the new owner. This sentimental value can sometimes convert to price. Remember price isn't relevant to the memories here, or the dollar that you want to make, it's relevant to fair market value and what the buyer is willing to pay.

Thank you for reading my Heidi Herda, Real Estate blog, "Don't Make These Mistakes When Selling Your Champlin, MN Home!" For more information on the home selling process, or if you're ready to find your next great home, call The Herda Home Team to get started 612-807-4858. Don't forget to "like" my Champlin Real Estate Facebook page for more fun tips, pre MLS listings and more! #herdahometeam #champlin #realestateagent #realestateadvice