Austin Luxury Homes

Buyers continue to have the upper hand, which means you’ll have to play it smart. Your first move? Avoiding these common pitfalls.

1. Thinking your home is the exception:It’s natural to be emotionally attached to your home, especially if you’ve lived there a long time. But allowing this affection to obscure the realities of today’s real-estate market is a serious mistake.

2. Not scouting the competition: Another reason sellers might price a home too high is that they’re simply unaware of the dynamics of their real-estate market. To sell your home, it’s essential to have a firm grasp on the conditions in your area.

3. Not checking your agent’s references: An effective, experienced real-estate agent can be a big help in selling your home in today’s sluggish market. But finding such a broker may not be easy.

4. Not prepping the property: Since buyers have many options these days, home sellers need to ensure that their property is in tip-top condition for showings. That means making any and all home repairs, ensuring that the indoor and outdoor portions of the property are immaculate, and removing clutter.

5. Being present during open houses: It’s important for the sellers to be away from the home during open houses, as their presence can be unnerving to would-be buyers. “Some sellers have the mistaken idea that they are the best people to sell their house, and that is absolutely not the case,” Blakeslee says. If a seller remains at home during an open house, she says, “buyers will have an uneasy feeling, and that is the feeling that they will take away from the house.”

6. Taking negotiations personally: The negotiation process can be tough on sellers, as buyers may demand concessions such as price reductions or help with closing costs.

7. Sneering at offers: Even if you aren’t crazy about a buyer’s offer, don’t dismiss it out of hand.