Sellers Beware! Don't Put Your Home on the Market Until You've Read This Report... Avoid 13 Mistakes That Could Cost You Hundreds... Even Thousands of Dollars!
Detroit Real Estate, Michigan Homes for sale, Michigan Real estate


Selling your home can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustment and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are real concerns. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in profit.

The difference between a easy real estate sale and a bad experience boils down sometimes to who you pick as your agent.  Your agent is who sits in your corner, who guides you, give you the information to make a sound decision.. This report is designed to arm you with the knowledge to avoid 11 common mistakes that cost sellers serious money.

1. Refusing to Make Repairs. It always costs you more money to sell 'as is' than to make repairs that will increase the value of your home. You need to have a neutral colored freshly painted home.  Sure a beautiful decorated home with vibrant colors will sell, but a nuetral painted home is always ready to move in.  Even minor improvements will often yield as much as three to five times the repair cost at the time of sale. Your agent will be able to point out what repairs will significantly increase the value of your home. Seemingly small fix up jobs such as repairing door knobs, small drywall damage can have quite an impact.   Listen to your agent

2. Not Considering Other Financing Terms.  Giving sellers concessions sometimes allows a buyer that does not have money to complete the purchase to buy your home. Cash is not always the most advantageous transaction.  Again your agent can help explain why you might consider different financing terms in order to sell your house.  If you have the money a land contract may sell your house when it may not have sold.

3. Allowing contingencies without time constraints.  Sure take the offer with the buyer having to sell the house, but but in the counteroffer that you have the right to continue marketing and showing the house.  If you get another offer then they either have to remove the contingency or release the purchase agreement.

4.   Not having your house ready to show at any time.  Let people in when ever they call.  I have sold houses when the agent was out front and wanted to get in right then.  I got yelled at by my seller, but he was much happier when he got that purchase agreement the next day.  Every time you turn away a buyer you have turned away a possible sale.  Yes buyers and home showings are inconvenient.  Yes it is work to keep the house clean and ready for shownings.  But those are the house that sell faster.  Let the agent put a lock box on the house.  The more accessible your home is, the better the odds of finding a person willing to pay your asking price. You never know if the one that couldn't get in was teh one that would have bought the house.  Show, show, show at all times.

5. Allowing a buyer to extend the closing time when their financing falls through.  Sure you should extend the closing date but you should also add to the addendum that you have the right to market and show the property.  If it has not closed by the time you have another offer then you have the sole right to terminate the purchase agreement.  Also if the buyer still thinks he is getting the loan put in the addendum that the deposit is non refundable and remove the mortgage clause in the purchase agreement.  Too many times mortgage companies issue pre-approval letters when the buyer is not qualified to get a loan.

6. Not pricing it right.  If you price your house too high buyers will look but buy a better priced one.  They will think you are out of your mind for wanting $30,000 more than a similar one.  Pay attention to the CMA that your agent gave you.  Ask your agent for updates on what has sold in the area and what is for sale. Listen to your agent.  The longer your house sits the more likely you will get a low ball offer and be on the market longer than the average house.

7. Not Advertising.  Do open houses, put it on as many internet sites as possible, put it on the MLS.  Put up a sign out front.  Have your agent send out just listed cards to all your neighbors.  Have your agent try everything possible.  Do a classified ad, do a home magazine.  The more exposure you get the more likely it is to sell.  Make sure there are flyers out front of your house all the time

8. Market Timing/Seasonal Selling  Property always sells.  It takes the right buyer to come through your house.  Do you know which buyer is going to buy your house,  Your agent does not know either or when either.  You house has to be on the market to sell..

9. Refusing to Make Cosmetic Changes   First impressions are important.  Clean up a room, unclutter it.  These are items that usually cost the less but kill more sales because they are not done.  Edge the lawn, cut the lawn, weed, remove stains, pick up the toys, straighten the house.  Get rid of the smell.  Make it look like a model home.  Your home will sell quicker and for more money. 

10. Wasting Time With An Unqualified Prospect  If a buyer does not have a pre-approval letter with their offer do not accept it until the buyer has one. 

11. Don't Test The Market   Never put your property on line to sell unless you are serious. The right professional will find you buyers and if you are harboring indecision... you will blow the sale.
12. Believing Your house is not going to sell.  Help the agent.  Pput it out to your friends, family, and co-workers that your are selling your house.  Many homes are sold this way.

13. Believing All Real Estate agents are the Same  - Work with somebody that expertise.  I have sold hundreds of homes.  I can help you with the little details, provide you with the information that you need to make a good decision.

By listening and avoiding these 13 mistakes will help you sell your Oakland County home, Wayne County home, Livingston County home.  So if you want to save hundreds of dollars when you sell your Michigan Home.  Call Russ Ravary on his cell at (313) 310-9855 or email me