Spring into Success: 4 Regrets to Avoid When Selling Your Home
Are you thinking about selling your home this spring? As a first-time seller, it can be overwhelming and even daunting to navigate the housing market. According to a recent Zillow survey conducted by The Harris Poll, 84% of Americans who sold a home for the first time in the past two years wish they had done something differently. Don’t be part of that statistic! Here are four common regrets of first-time sellers and how you can avoid them.
Regret #1: Pricing Incorrectly for the Market
The most common regret among recent first-time home sellers is setting a lower list price (39%). However, pricing a home too high can lead to a slower sale or force the seller to drop their price. The median time on the market is now 73 days nationwide, but well-priced listings that find a buyer take only 31 days to go under contract. Nearly 1 in 4 listings had a price cut (22%) in January, which is 10 percentage points higher than last winter. In a less frenzied housing market, pricing is the most important thing sellers need to get right. That’s why it’s crucial to rely on the advice of a great local agent who understands your neighborhood and has a winning pricing strategy.
Regret #2: Unappealing Online Curb Appeal
Most prospective buyers shop for homes online, meaning sellers can’t ignore online curb appeal. Almost 2 in 5 (39%) think better listing photos could have boosted their bottom line, while 1 in 4 recent first-time sellers (25%) think a virtual tour could have helped sell their home for more. Listings that include a 3D home virtual tour or an interactive floor plan get 69% more page views and 80% more saves on Zillow. So, make sure to invest in a listing media package that includes professional high-resolution photography and drone photography to showcase your home’s best features.
Regret #3: Right House, Wrong Time
One-quarter of recent first-time sellers (25%) wish they had listed their home at a different time. While the best time to sell will always depend on a homeowner’s personal circumstances, if the owner has flexibility, the second half of April is the optimal time to list a home for sale nationwide, Zillow research shows. Timing the sale of a home with the purchase of a new one is one of the biggest stressors sellers experience. If timing is the top priority, sellers should explore all their options.
Regret #4: Ignoring Repairs
More than one-quarter of recent first-time sellers (25%) think they could have gotten a higher sale price if they had invested in more home improvements and repairs. The right projects can pay off, but sellers need to think strategically about their return on investment before diving into repairs and renovations. Landscaping, interior painting, and carpet cleaning are the most common repair projects for good reason. They boost online curb appeal and send a powerful signal to a buyer that a home is well-maintained.
In conclusion, rookie mistakes can be costly, especially when selling one of life’s biggest financial assets — a home. By anticipating and avoiding these four common regrets of first-time sellers, you can set yourself up for success and ensure a smooth home selling experience.
If you're considering selling your home this spring, it's important to learn from the mistakes of first-time sellers and take steps to avoid these common regrets. That's where the Robb Luxury Home Group can help. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the local market, they can help you price your home correctly, create a stunning online presence that attracts buyers, and time your sale to maximize your return on investment. Contact the Robb Luxury Home Group today to get started on selling your home with confidence.