Boise Real Estate Blog

Avoid these 12 common mistakes if you’re a Meridian Idaho Home seller!

1) No Sign

You want to sell your home, right?

But you don’t want a sign?

Perhaps you don’t want your nosy neighbors to know you’re selling.

Or, you just don’t want to be bothered by everyone asking why you’re selling?

Whatever your reasoning, you should reconsider.

Your home needs to be to be exposed to the market if you want to sell it.

That includes having a sign in your front yard.

It’s very difficult to sell a home that’s a well-kept secret.

Ensure that your listing agent installs a high-quality aluminum cross-post sign instead of a cheap steel frame sign.

2) No Flyer Box

Now that we’ve covered the sign issue, let’s talk about flyers.

Experienced listing agents understand the importance of attaching a flyer box to their attractive cross-post signs.

Make sure your listing agent understands the need to have flyers in the flyer box.

There’s no point in having an empty flyer box.

Your listing agent should provide full-color flyers, print them on high-quality paper, and include professional quality high-res photos that illustrate your home’s best features.

Above all, your flyers should include the asking price!

3) No Lockbox

Buyers and their agents want to see your home when it’s convenient for them.

That means installing a lockbox near the front door for easy access to your home.

You needn’t be concerned about strangers entering your home unaccompanied by an agent because only agents will be able to open the lockbox.

And, when an agent opens your lockbox, their name and contact information are immediately e-mailed to your listing agent for showing feedback.

Many buyer’s agents view homes without lockboxes as an indicator that the seller isn’t motivated to sell.

No lockbox can result in no sale.

4) Showings Arranged By Listing Agent

I’ve never understood why listing agents insert themselves into arranging showings.

Doing so creates the need for additional phone calls, texts, or e-mails and clogs up the simple process of arranging a showing.

The easy way to arrange showings is to include seller contact info in the MLS listing (displayed only to other agents) and let the buyer’s agent contact the seller directly.

Further, many agents fail to answer their phone or return calls, which makes it very difficult to set showing appointments through them.

No showings = no sale.

5) Requiring Your Listing Agent To Be Present

Requiring your listing agent to be present during showings is a sure way to discourage showings.

Buyers and their agents are actually capable of deciding if your home is what they want without enduring a listing agent’s sales pitch (again pointing out the obvious) to them during a showing.

Some buyers will refuse to view your home if you require your listing agent to be present during showings.

Requiring your listing agent to be present during showings is enough to keep your home from selling.

6) Remaining Home During Showings

I’ll make this as simple as possible.

If you’re a seller, turn on the lights, open the blinds, and LEAVE when your home is shown!

Buyers and their agents will not appreciate you leading them through the house and pointing out the obvious, like “this is the kitchen”, “this is the bathroom”, and other special features of your home.

Plan on being gone during showings so the buyer’s agent can show your home without your “help”.

7) Not Removing Your Dog

I’m a dog lover.

But, I’ve learned from experience that it isn’t a good idea to have a dog present during showings.

I understand that your dog can be contained to avoid contact with potential buyers and their agents.

But, when a dog is contained, it can still be a distraction and make buyers and their agents uneasy.

Some buyers and their agents will feel threatened, or intimidated by your dog.

Intimidated buyers usually don’t make positive decisions about the home they’re considering.

There’s also the issue of pet odors.

You may believe that your home has no pet odors, but some buyers will notice them, even if you don’t.

I understand that Brutus is your pal and part of your family.

Nonetheless, I’ve personally been bitten by more than one innocent Brutus over the years.

One of those incidents even happened in the presence of sellers while I was previewing their home.

Not removing your dog during showings can result in fewer showings and no sale.

8) Overpricing

Yep, your Meridian Idaho Home is special.

That’s why you may think it’s worth more than every other home like it.

Fact is, savvy buyers are often more aware of property values than their agents.

Price your home correctly if you want it to sell, appraise, and close.

Overpricing can result in a longer time on market, price reduction(s), a weakened negotiating position, and a lower sales price.

9) Reduced Commission

I will avoid stating specific commission rates here.

Simply stated, you’ll probably be at a disadvantage if similar homes are offered with X% commission and you offer to pay buyer’s agents less than X%.

10) Not Preparing Your Home For Sale

I sometimes hear sellers say “the buyers can do whatever they want after they own my home” when we discuss things like carpet cleaning, window cleaning, blinds cleaning, paint and touchup, decluttering, and other presale preparation items.

The old saying “you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression” is especially applicable when you’re preparing to sell your home.

Step back and look at your home as potential buyers will view it.

Every objection you fail to cure will come back to bite you when you get offers.

11) Uncomfortable Thermostat Settings

I’m often amazed when I show homes that are freezing cold in winter and stifling hot in summer.

I’ve shown homes with thermostats set to 85 degrees in summer and 55 degrees in winter.

Worse yet are homes with the heating/cooling completely turned off in a feeble attempt to save money on utilities.

If you want your home to sell, make your home comfortable for buyers and their agents.

Inadequate heating/cooling will cause buyers and their agents to turn around and walk out without seriously considering your home.

12) Not Responding To Offers Promptly

There’s a trend, these days, to see language in listings stating “Seller Will Review Offers On (insert date)”, or “Please Allow 48 Hours For A Response”.

Translation: “We’re stalling while hoping to create multiple offers”.

The excuse that sellers are too busy, or not reachable, is laughably weak when everyone has a cell phone in their hand.

I’m one of many agents who advise their buyers to avoid sellers who play this game.

If you want to sell your Meridian Idaho Home, respond to offers quickly!

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So, there you have it.

12 simple tips on how to sell your Meridian Idaho Home.

Looking for an experienced listing agent?

I practice “No BS” real estate with no self-serving sales talk!

I will advise you on how to prepare your home for a smooth, top-dollar sale.

Give me a call at (208)938-5533 or e-mail me and let’s talk.

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