The Most Common Mistakes that Property Sellers Make

Anyone selling a property wants to see it sold quickly, to a good buyer, for the right price. But there are things that property sellers do that can prevent this from becoming a reality…

NAEA Propertymark (the National Association of Estate Agents) has revealed the most common mistakes made by property sellers, which tend to affect their sale:

Overpricing 

The first thing that a buyer sees is the price, so, when it comes to valuing your property, it’s got to be done right. An overpriced property could deter anyone from arranging a viewing or making an offer. You should seek the help of a professional estate agent, who will use their knowledge of the local market to give you a fair price.

It’s also worth doing your own research – how much are other homes in the area being marketed for? What does your property offer that other ones in the area don’t? Be realistic and don’t let pride cloud your judgement and lead to overpricing.

The Most Common Mistakes that Property Sellers Make

Preparing your property

While your property is on the market, keep it clean and tidy; a dirty or cluttered home is an immediate turn-off for buyers. You should also think about having a spring clean – if there’s too much furniture, or things like children’s toys lying around, the property can feel smaller.

If you currently have tenants living in your property, it may be worth waiting until they’ve moved out to market the home and arrange viewings.

Bad photos

When it comes to selling a property, a picture really is worth a thousand words. With more buyers searching online than ever before, great photos are an absolute must. Avoid pictures with bad lighting, or any that are blurry and poor quality. Your estate agent should take professional photos to help market the home, so make sure that the property is tidy, the curtains are open and all of the light bulbs are working before they come over.

Too much personality 

It’s important that your property doesn’t feel over-personalised, which it shouldn’t if it’s a rental. Remember, though, that not everyone shares the taste of you or your tenants, and future buyers need to be able to see themselves living in the property with all of their possessions. Family photos, keepsakes and loud colour schemes can distract buyers from seeing the home’s full potential.

Choosing the wrong estate agent 

Choosing the right estate agent is critical to the success of your property sale. By working with an accredited agent, you can rest assured that you’re working with a professional agency that complies with a strict code of conduct, follows industry best practice and has voluntarily chosen to be regulated in an unregulated industry.

Mark Hayward, the Chief Executive of NAEA Propertymark, comments: “The initial excitement you feel after putting up a for sale sign can quickly be replaced by frustration if months go by and you still haven’t had an offer on your home. Most of the time, though, there are small things you can do to improve the saleability of your property, and, by avoiding these common pitfalls, you should hope to maximise your profits and sell your house quickly.”