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Page 1: Thelasvegasluxuryhomepro.com top ten-mistakes_home_sellers_make

Over-pricing will net fewer $$$

Top Ten Mistakes Home Sellers Makethelasvegasluxuryhomepro.com /top-ten-mistakes-home-sellers-make/

Home values have re-gained some lost territory over the past year. In Las Vegas, home values appreciated 25% over a yearago. Fewer homeowners are underwater on their homes. This is freeing many homeowners to consider selling. It’s easier tosell now than it has been in years, but there are still some things to avoid.

Top Ten Mistakes Home Sellers Make:

1. Over-pricing. Most sellers feel they can start out high and thendrop the price. They argue that they’re leaving “room to negotiate”. If you price it too high, many qualified buyers will not consider yourhome. They will decide you’re unrealistic and wait to see if youdrop the price.

High prices mean that your home will linger on the market. Today’sbuyers know how long your home has been for sale. When theysee it has been 2 or 3 months, they assume there must besomething wrong with it. Price your home at or slightly under thecurrent value to generate an auction frenzy with buyers.

2. For Sale by Owner. When buyers see a homeowner sellingtheir own home, they expect to buy it at a discount price. After all,you’re not paying a Realtor so you can afford to sell for less. Theymay also assume you don’t know what your home is worth.

3. Clutter. If you want to make your home look small, show it with closets and cupboards over-flowing. The garage that is sofull of boxes that you park on the Street is another turn off. For best results, hire a professional home stager to declutter andstage.

4. Maid service needed. Buyers look at a dirty house and assume that you have maintained it the way you clean it. Load thedishwasher. Vacuum and clean the floors. Make the beds. Keep bathrooms clean. A dirty house will sell but at a lower price.

5. Odors. Cigarette smoke and pet odors may not be noticeable to you but they will be to buyers. Hire the pros to get rid ofunpleasant odors. The money you spend on them will bring a better price for your home.

6. Restricting Showings. The easier it is to show your home the better. Out of town buyers can be motivated. If they need tosee your home today they may not be able to come back two days later.

7. The Elephant in the Room . Buyers want to be free to discuss how they can fit their furnishings into the home. They will notbe able to do this if you’re home. Present sellers give away intel that lets a buyer know their motivation. Let them see the homewith their agent and your agent present. You can meet them after negotiations.

8. No combo lockboxes . The Association of Realtors sells electronic lockboxes that open with a “Supra” key. These are onlyavailable to Realtors, Inspectors, Appraisers, etc. The professional who has the “Supra” key has a unique code they use. Thislets the boxes track who opens them.

If your agent puts a combo lockbox on your home, they have no way of tracking who entered the home if something goes wrong. An agent may let the buyer see the combo as they open the box. That buyer can come back unattended. We’ve had clientswho left them for workers. Then we hear how someone managed to smash the boxes open. Only allow an electronic lockbox.

9. Bad or No Photos. Buyers start their search online. If your home doesn’t have photos they will not want to drive over inperson. For best results hire a professional photographer. Cell phones take good photos but they don’t do justice with diminteriors. A pro can make your home look brighter and larger.

10. Hiring the wrong Realtor . Don’t hire your relative who hasn’t sold a home in two years. Or your friend who just got theirlicense. Avoid the part time Realtor. They may be difficult for other agents to contact if they can’t answer the phone while at

Home values have re-gained some lost territory over the past year. In Las Vegas, the median home is now at %24190K. Fewer homeowners are underwater on their homes. This is freeing many homeowners to considering selling. These are some of the most common mistakes we see sellers make - 1. Over-pricing. Most sellers feel they can start out high and then drop the price. They argue that they're leaving %22room to negotiate%22. If you price it too high, many qualified buyers will not consider your home. They will decide you're unrealistic and wait to see if you drop the price. High prices mean that your home will linger on the market. Today's buyers know how long your home has been for sale. When they see it has been 2 or 3 months, they assume there must be something wrong with it. Price your home at or slightly under the current value to generate an auction frenzy with buyers. 2. For Sale by Owner. When buyers see a homeowner selling their own home, they expect to buy it at a discount price. After all, you're not paying a Realtor so you can afford to sell for less. They may also assume you don't know what your home is worth. Not having an agent to pre-screen potential buyers can be risky. 3. Clutter. If you want to make your home look small, show it with closets and cupboards over-flowing. The garage that is so full of boxes that you park on the Street is another turn off. 4. Maid service needed. Buyers look at a dirty house and assume that you have maintained it the way you clean it. Load the dishwasher. Vacuum and clean the floors. Make the beds. Keep bathrooms clean. A dirty house will sell but at a lower price. 5. Odors. Cigarette smoke and pet odors may not be noticeable to you but they will be to buyers. Hire the pros to get rid of unpleasant odors. The money you spend on them will bring a better price for your home. 6. Restricting Showings. The easier it is to show your home the better. This is especially true when potential buyers are from out of town and can't come back in a few days. 7. The Elephant in the Room. Buyers want to be free to discuss how they can fit their furnishings into the home. They will not be able to do this if you're present. Sellers give away intel that lets a buyer know how motivated they are to sell. Let them see the home alone with their agent and your agent present. You can meet them at the inspection or the final walk thru. 8. No combo lockboxes. The Association of Realtors sells electronic lockboxes that open with a %22Supra%22 key. These are only available to Realtors, Inspectors, Appraisers and other licensed inspectors. The professional who has the %22Supra%22 key has a unique code they use. This lets the boxes track who opens them. If your agent puts a combo lockbox on your home, they have no way of tracking who entered the home if something goes wrong. An agent may let the %22buyer%22 see the combo as they open the box which means they can come back later unattended. We've had clients who left them for workers only to find that someone managed to smash the boxes open. Only allow an electronic lockbox. 9. Bad or No Photos. Buyers start their search online. If your home doesn't have photos they will not want to drive over in person. For best results hire a professional photographer. Cell phones take good photos but they don't do justice with dim interiors. A pro can make your home look brighter and larger. Make sure you check the photos once they're available on the MLS. 10. Hiring the wrong Realtor. When it's time to list your home you want to avoid the person who works as a part time Realtor. The part timer may be difficult for other agents to contact if they can't answer the phone while at their other job. They may have less experience. Find an agent who is familiar with your neighborhood and current on the latest market trends. Verify that they have a strong online presence. This shows that they understand how to market your home online.
Page 2: Thelasvegasluxuryhomepro.com top ten-mistakes_home_sellers_make

Even vacant homes look better with professional photos

their other job. They may have less experience.

DO – Find an agent who is familiar with your neighborhood andcurrent on the latest market trends. Verify that they have a strongonline presence. This shows that they understand how to marketyour home online.

Prices have stopped declining. For some homeowners this can bea great time to sell. Just make sure you avoid the top ten mistakeshome sellers make. Click here to request your Las Vegas HomeValue Report.

Debbie Drummond is a top Las Vegas Realtor. She and herpartner, Michael Petit specialize in the Las Vegas Luxury Home andhigh rise market. Considering buying or selling your Las Vegashome? Call (702)354-6900 or email [email protected].