There are a number of pitfalls that sellers fall into when they are putting their homes on the market. Going into the process with the wrong attitude can mean that your house sits on the market for many weeks unsold or that you are unable to get a good price for your home. You don’t want to find yourself in either of these situations as a seller. Understanding some common mistakes that home sellers make can help you go into the process with your eyes wide open and ready to make an effective sale.

Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home

1. Hiring a realtor for something other than their skills – Don’t choose a real estate agent simply because you feel obligated to them since they are a friend or family member. You can choose a real estate if they come highly recommended by someone whose opinion you value. The goal is to choose your agent based on their skills not as a result of a favor.
2. Being closed-minded about your asking price – It is okay to want to walk away with a specific profit, but when you truly need to sell, you need to keep an open mind. The market determines the price your house will sell for. If you aren’t willing to be flexible, you need to take it off the market until it will sell for the price you have in mind. If you have unrealistic expectations, that time may never come, however.
3. Misrepresenting your home –  Don’t push your realtor to misrepresent any aspects of your home. If your listing is not honest, potential buyers will show up and be resentful in being misled. The same is true of material facts regarding your home such as items that are broken or that may need work. Misrepresenting such items is not only illegal but can result in costly litigation should you be taken to task after selling a home without disclosing material information pertinent to the sale.

A good agent can help you avoid some of the common selling mistakes, but first you have to find the right one and then you need to take note of their advice.