and waiting for the “perfect” moment can mean missing opportunities. If you decide to wait, you’ll join many other homeowners waiting for a better time, which means facing increased competition all at once later when the market shifts.
Not Taking the First Bid
This happens often. A seller gets an early bite and suddenly feels confident the house will sell easily—and might even spark a bidding war. They begin to feel like they’re standing over a pond packed with hungry fish. The first offer doesn’t seem great, and they naturally assume there must be bigger, juicier fish to be had. So, they throw the not-so-small-after-all fish back in. Big mistake, that “tiddler” is often the “catch of the day.”
Becoming Friends with the Buyer
It’s appropriate, even important, to be friendly, but don’t let the personal nature of someone being in your home allow you to get into too many long discussions with the buyers, because personality conflicts often cloud judgments. Watch what is said in discussing items related to the house and neighborhood. Remember, this could be their new home. You’re no doubt excited about moving. But buyers will start second guessing. A casual statement about the house “really being too small for a growing family,” or “the schools are going through some changes” might be enough innocent chatter to squash their interest.
Underestimating Closing Costs
Many sellers focus only on the sale price of their home and overlook the full range of costs involved in selling. To help you better understand these expenses, here is a list of common closing costs compiled with information from Zillow:
• Real estate commission, if applicable;
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