Our real estate agents know the decision to sell a home is one you don't take lightly. Most sellers have important strategic goals in mind when they choose to sell. They might have a certain amount they need to make from their sale or a timeline that's crucial to them.

While the marketplace has been kind to sellers over the last few years, it's still vital to be prepared for your sale and to get the right things done in advance. With help from a local agent, you can make more money and reach closing day faster, all while avoiding time-consuming pitfalls.

Let's look at the key mistakes sellers should avoid in 2024:

• Not Starting with an Agent
  Nearly all the things that can potentially go wrong with the selling process can be avoided with the help of an experienced real estate agent. An agent is there to represent your interests from the start, help you navigate throughout the process, and steer you away from pitfalls. For example, without an agent's help, you could face fines or legal liability if you market your home in a way that regulators deem "misleading."
  
  
• Failing to Price Your Home to Sell
  A home is priced to sell when its price is aligned with the price of similar homes that have sold recently in the neighborhood. Pricing a home to sell means sellers will be more likely to engage by visiting the house. On the other hand, sellers are easily turned off when prices are too high and worry "what's wrong" when the price is too low. Sellers going without a real estate agent are particularly vulnerable to pricing mistakes.
  
  
• Forgetting to Stage Your Home
  Staging a home means arranging and organizing it so attention is drawn to its most attractive features from the very moment a visitor sees it. Staging only takes a few hours for an experienced real estate agent, but it can add thousands of dollars to your final sale price. Plus, it's associated with closing on a sale sooner.
  
  
• Neglecting the Home's Exterior
  The home's interior needs to be cleaned and staged so a buyer can imagine living there. But all that work can be for nothing if the exterior isn't taken care of. Landscaping should be simplified as much as possible (so it won't look like lots of work), trees and grass managed, and the house's exterior cleaned.
  
  
• Going Light on Open House Events
  Open houses are among the fastest and most effective ways to attract qualified buyers. While some people will prefer virtual open houses, especially if they happen to be far away, it's best to have a mix of conventional and virtual open house events. You never know which one will bring in the perfect buyer for you!
  
  
• Not Taking Care of Your Pets
  Do you have cats, dogs, or other pets? While the market is full of pet lovers, there are also people who need to be careful of pet allergies. Deep cleaning the carpet and any other upholstery can make the home much more accommodating to these potential buyers. Be sure cat boxes and pet bowls aren't visible in the photo.
  
  
• Skipping Out on Repairs
  Virtually all prospective buyers who need financing will also need to perform a home inspection. Lenders won't approve financing without it! With that in mind, if you know there are issues with the roof, plumbing, or electrical system, be prepared to make those repairs or negotiate concessions later.

Call today to find out more, or get started today.