What Not To Do When Selling Your Home

By Raynor James

There are so many different tips out there for home sellers, but most of those tips tell you what to do in order to make a sale. How often do you find an entire article dedicated to listing those things that you should not do when selling your home? Believe it or not, there are some common mistakes that home sellers often make, and these, seemingly, miniscule faults can really turn away your best potential buyers.

First, you have probably been told to remove any children and animals from your home, but many home sellers still feel as though "Fido" is entirely harmless. While your beloved best friend may be great with strangers, many people will become immediately turned off at the site of your dog running down the driveway, or meeting them at the front door. Instead, bring your pooch to a puppy pound for the day, and avoid making the first crucial home selling mistake.

Next, clean up your basement. Many people feel as though a basement is, well, a basement, which means that it will remain wet, smelly, and moldy, even during an open house. People understand that basements simply look like dark caves, right? Wrong. Many prospective home buyers will not appreciate the sight of a dingy basement, so clean it up. If you can't find the cause of your wet and leaky basement, check underground drains, rain gutters, and downspouts.

Then, call the exterminator. If you are thinking, "what? I don't have bugs!" think again. Almost every home has some sort of insect living within the walls, and there is nothing creepier than witnessing a spider make its way across a kitchen table during a buyer visit. Play it safe, and call an exterminator before you put your home on the market.

Finally, leave your house. That's right, leave. During an open house, ask a friend or relative to sit there while people visit. Most buyers do not want to be bothered by home owners while they are viewing a house. Home owners tend to hover around buyers pointing out things along the way, which is really a nuisance for those people seeking to look in peace. Instead, leave your home and let buyers look around to their heart's content. If they want more information, leave a guest book out for them to sign, and return calls promptly.

If you abide by these rules, you can easily avoid making a giant mistake. While you may be told what to do in order to sell your home, pay closer attention regarding the things that you mustn't do, and your home will sell in no time.

Raynor James writes articles on real estate issues. You can list your home for sale by owner, FSBO, for 1 month free at her site - FSBOAmerica.org.

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