Eventually, overly optimistic owners lower the price of their homes. But the bloom is off the rose; and a seller who initially was driving the transaction finds himself chasing buyers, who become fewer as the listing becomes “stale.”
2. PROPERTY ISN'T IN TIP-TOP SHAPE
Your house has only one chance to make a good impression, the best reason to make sure the property is in white-glove condition. Unfortunately, many owners can’t see the imperfections that buyers will notice right away. When you’ve lived in a home for a long time, you can overlook nail pops, floor scuffs, and cat smells you’ve become nose-blind to. You may also not notice the weeds under foundation plants, or bird poop on walkways. These are small things that make a big impression on a buyer, who presumes that you don’t care enough about your property to give it a fresh coat of paint. And if the paint is chipped, buyers reason, what else is wrong with the house?
3. MARKETING MISSTEPS (OR NO STEPS AT ALL)
Houses don’t sell themselves. You’ve got to spread the word, whip up interest, and target people who actually want to buy a house, rather than just spend a Sunday touring other people’s homes. A Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the first place buyers’ agents go to find a home that fits their clients’ needs. But the MLS is for professionals only, and you’ll likely have to pay a discount agent $500 to $1,000 to get your listing into the MLS. You’ll also need to take photos, hold open houses, create brochures, and show the house—all require specific skills and 8
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