Owning a home and making mortgage payments is like putting money in the bank. Barring a market reversal, that nest egg of equity in your home will grow and grow. And for most homeowners, their house is their largest asset—which means there’s a lot of money at stake when it comes time to sell.
Want to get as much money back as possible from this big-ticket investment? Of course you do! So avoid doing these nine things when you put your home on the market.
1. Ignoring your agent’s advice
Although you don’t technically need to use a real estate agent to sell your home, hiring one can help you get more money in your pocket.
A good listing agent can assist you with pricing your home, marketing it, negotiating with buyers, and guiding you through the closing process. That’s a lot of responsibility—and you might feel slightly uncomfortable putting your faith in a stranger’s hands.
2. Neglecting important repairs prior to listing your home
Most home buyers will require a home inspection contingency. But that doesn’t mean you should wait for the home inspector to tell you what to fix. If your home has noticeable flaws, go ahead and ask your agent whether you should address them before putting your house on the market.
4. Failing to keep the house tidy
To be prepared for last-minute showing requests, you have to keep your home relatively clean, neat, and organized at all times.
5. Being present for showings or open houses
Home buyers are already apprehensive about touring a stranger’s property, so don’t make things even more awkward by sticking around for open houses or showings. Buyers need to be able to envision your home as their own, which can be difficult to do if they see you hanging around the house.