Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Lakewood Ranch Home
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Lakewood Ranch Home
Hello Lakewood Ranch homeowners! As your friendly neighborhood real estate agent with the 941 Lifestyle Group, We wanted to provide some tips on avoiding common mistakes when selling your home here in this fantastic community. With over 13,000 homes and growing, Lakewood Ranch remains one of the most desirable places to live in Sarasota and Manatee counties. As the premier real estate team in the area, we know what it takes to sell quickly and for top dollar.
Pricing It Wrong
One of the biggest mistakes we see homeowners make is pricing their homes too high or too low. Setting the right price from the start can make a huge difference. Overpricing your home could mean it sits on the market for months. You may end up having to lower the price repeatedly and sell for less in the end. On the flip side, underpricing means you're leaving money on the table.
The best way to price right is to work with an experienced local real estate agent, like us at the 941 Lifestyle Group! We'll do a comparative market analysis, looking at similar homes that have recently sold in Lakewood Ranch. We can factor in the specifics of your home like size, location, upgrades, and more. This helps us recommend the optimal list price to generate interest and multiple offers.
Neglecting Minor Repairs and Improvements
It's easy to get used to little issues in your home over time. However, buyers will notice and may ask for closing credits or lower their offer price. Be hypercritical and fix minor problems like:
- - Chipped paint
- - Sticky doors, cracked tiles or windows
- - Squeaky floors or cabinets
- - Leaky faucets
- - Burned-out light bulbs
Also consider affordable upgrades that offer a big return, like new hardware and fixtures, fresh interior paint in neutral colors, replaced outlet covers, updated light fixtures, new door knobs, etc. A deep clean from top to bottom will also leave a great impression.
Decluttering and Depersonalizing
It's hard to declutter and depersonalize your home when you've lived there for years. But it's essential to do this when selling. Pack away personal photos, memorabilia, and collections to make the home appeal to buyers. Remove excess furniture and rugs to make rooms appear larger. Clear kitchen counter space and remove appliances you don't use often. Consider renting a storage unit to remove items you won't need before moving.
The less "stuff" in a home, the roomier it feels. A depersonalized, neutral home lets buyers imagine their style there. Staging by a professional can also help sell the lifestyle.
The 941 Lifestyle Group has trusted staging partners we'd be happy to recommend.
Being Inflexible on Terms
In a competitive market, you'll attract more buyers if you're flexible on property viewing, closing dates, possession dates, and other terms.
Consider:
- Scheduling showings outside of 9-5 and on weekends if needed.
- Negotiable move-in and closing dates. Some buyers need to time their move with a school year or current lease.
- Including warranties for appliances and systems.
- Paying for a home inspection or buyers' closing costs.
As your agent, the 941 Lifestyle Group will advise if any terms can strengthen your offer position. We keep your best interest in mind while negotiating!
DIY Photography and Listing Details
First impressions are everything in real estate. Blurry cell phone photos or lack of details in listings turn buyers off before they even view your home.
Invest in:
- Professional photography. Good lighting and editing make a huge difference!
- Virtually staged photos to showcase empty rooms.
- Accurate listing measurements for all rooms.
- Comprehensive listing details on upgrades, features, schools, HOA fees, etc.
The 941 Lifestyle Group only works with the best photographers and stresses gorgeous photography. We also personally confirm all listing details instead of assuming. This comprehensive approach gets buyers excited to see your home in person!
Not Preparing for Showings
It takes some work to get your home show ready every time a showing is scheduled. But it's worth the effort to wow potential buyers.
Before each showing:
- Turn on all the lights and lamps.
- Open blinds and curtains to let in natural light.
- Turn off TVs and radios so buyers can talk.
- Put toys, pet supplies, and clothing away.
- Make sure beds are made and bathrooms are cleaned.
- Vacuum and/or mop if needed.
- Head out to give buyers space.
Pro tip: Play soft classical or spa music and even use a mild air freshener to enhance the ambiance.
Finally, tell your 941 Lifestyle Group agent if any special directions are needed for showings like alarm codes or which doors to use.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll be on your way to a smooth sale process and ideal sales price. The 941 Lifestyle Group is here to guide you every step of the way! Call us anytime to discuss putting our decades of combined real estate expertise to work for you.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. We are excited you found us.
We are the 941 Lifestyle Group. We are real estate agents in Lakewood Ranch and would love to be your go-to real estate team in the 941 area. We can help you whether you buy a home, sell a home, or invest in real estate.
We service all of Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
Specializing in Lifestyle Real Estate.
From the beautiful Gulf Beaches, Downtown Sarasota, and Lakewood Ranch.
Reimagine Your Routine: Where Living, Working, and Playing Blend Beautifully
Please reach out anytime.
941-233-9722
Adam Miller
*Some of our blogs were written with the assistance of AI.
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