It’s a challenging market for home sellers right now. St. Louis homebuyers have a lot of options and they don’t have to buy what you’re selling. Your house is likely just one located in a sea of for-sale signs, so you can’t be sloppy about putting it on the market.
St. Louis homebuyers, St. Louis Realty Advisors, have compiled a list of “Don’ts” for home sellers looking for someone to buy their St. Louis home for cash.
Don’t … ask for too much money.
Yes, you know what you paid for the house. But that doesn’t mean that it’s still worth that amount or that it’s appreciated in value since you bought it. Your house is only worth what the market is willing to pay you. It doesn’t matter what’s in it. And it doesn’t matter what your mortgage is. Pricing your home too high will discourage interested parties from making an offer, and your property could sit for months, which isn’t your goal.
Don’t … skip the marketing.
You may think that all you have to do is take one photo of the house, stick a “For Sale” sign in your yard and St. Louis homebuyers will come pouring in the door. Au contraire! The only way to guarantee that you’re going to get the highest price for the house is to use all of the marketing options available to you when looking for someone to buy your house in St. Louis. This means Internet advertising, 30 pictures of your house, public open houses and even postcards. The more people who see your house, the better your chances are of selling it. In an age when buyers start their searches online, counting on drive-bys and word of mouth isn’t enough anymore.
Don’t … get emotionally involved.
Yes, it’s your house. Yes, you sweated blood and tears to get it just the way you wanted it. But, no, that does not make it someone else’s “perfect,” particularly when you’ve made some unique decorating decisions. You want the space to look as neutral as possible, so buyers can envision themselves in the space. So even if those teal walls in the bedroom look knock-out great with your duvet, they probably won’t match anyone else’s things. Let go of the features you love, and make it a house most St. Louis homebuyers could love!
Don’t … leave your stuff everywhere.
You want St. Louis homebuyers to feel like they could move into your house tomorrow with their things. And your collectible tchotchkes, photos and utility bills make the space feel a little too personal. That first impression is really important, and if they’re greeted with a huge photograph of you on your wedding day 25 years ago over the fireplace, that’s really distracting. It sends the message to the buyer that ‘This is my house, not your house.’
Don’t … get offended by a lowball offer.
Just because someone came in with a really low bid is no reason to walk off in a huff. Now’s your chance to negotiate to sell your house. St. Louis homebuyers are trying to buy your house for the lowest price possible. Understand, it’s not personal, and it’s not a slam on your housekeeping. It’s a business transaction.
Don’t … lose a sale over something stupid.
It’s possible to get 99% of the way through a home sale, only to stall out at the end over a minor detail. Don’t be that seller. Let it go and don’t let a minor detail ruin a major deal!
Of course, you could skip the home staging, home repairs, marketing and all the arduous tasks that go along with selling your home and work with St. Louis homebuyers , St. Louis Realty Advisors! Call us today at (314) 227-0000 for a no hassle consultation.