Deadly Mistake No. 1

Pricing Incorrectly

Every New Tampa home seller wants to get as much money as possible when selling a home. But, a listing priced too high often results in less money for the seller. If your home is not priced competitively, people looking in your price range will reject it in favor of other, larger homes for the same price. At the same time, the people who should be looking at your home will not see it because it is not in their price range! Overpricing usually increases time on the market, and adds to the carrying costs. Ultimately, many overpriced properties sell below market value. To help avoid this, Team Bohannon has prepared a report detailing the type of thorough information you'll need prior to pricing your home. Simply put, Team Bohannon provides all the information needed to help select the right price. You'll learn:

    * The difference between cost and price.
    * What market value really is.
    * How the principles of progression and regression apply to your home.
    * How much bargaining room to leave in your process.
    * How the principle of substitution affects your home's value.

Once you learn these principles, you'll know how to sell your home for the best price. Not only that, you'll know how to avoid paying too much for any home you buy in the future! Just call our office and we'll send you this valuable information.

Failing to "Showcase" the Home

Buyers are looking for a home to live in, not just for a house. Owners who fail to make repairs, such as sprucing up the house, touching up the paint, decluttering, and keeping it clean can chase away buyers. If you were selling a car, you would wash it, or maybe even detail it to get the highest price. Houses are no different.

Using the "Hard Sell" During Showings

Buying a home is an emotional decision. Resist the temptation to talk the entire time a buyer is there, and let them discover things on their own. People like to "try on" a house and see if it is comfortable for them. It's difficult for them to do that if you follow them around pointing out every improvement that you've made. It may even have the opposite effect you want.

Mistaking Lookers for Buyers

For Sale by Owners nearly always get more showing activity than homes listed with an agent. No question about it, Realtors will only bring qualified buyers. A qualified buyer is one who is ready, willing and able to buy your home. We find that most people who look at For Sale By Owners are just starting to think about moving. They may be good buyers, but they are usually six to nine months away from being ready. They don't want to bother a real estate agent yet, so they call the "By Owner" ads to get a feel for what's available. They may have a house to sell first, may need to save some more money, or may have credit that needs fixing. When everything is in place, that's when they go looking with an agent. An agent will ask buyers how much they can really spend for a home, discuss down payment, evaluate credit and decide a realistic monthly payment. It's necessary to find out how much will be realized when their present home closes. Unless your Realtor finds out all the facts first, you must ask all these questions before the buyer crosses your threshold. Otherwise, you may have a parade of Sunday afternoon shoppers with a dream of owning a home someday.

Not Knowing Your Rights and Obligations

Real estate law is extensive and complex: the contract for sale and purchase is a legally binding document. An improperly written contract can cause the sale to fall through, or cost you thousands for repairs, inspections and remedies for title defects. You must know whether the property can legally be sold ''as is" and how deed restrictions and local zoning will affect the transaction. If there are defects in your title, or if the title or the property is in conflict with local restrictions, you or your Realtor must remedy them. Also, current laws allow the buyer an option period to inspect and approve of any inspection reports and repair bids. Know your alternatives here.

Signing a Listing Contract with No Way Out

Many times a real estate agent will have good intentions about marketing your home, but circumstances can change. In cases where the agent isn't performing, you should have the right to fire your agent. In some companies the broker will assign your listing to someone else in the office, someone you didn't personally select. Always protect yourself by getting a guarantee of  performance which gives you the right to cancel anytime for any reason.

Limiting the Market and Exposure of the Property

The two most obvious marketing tools (open houses and classified ads) are only moderately effective at best. Surprisingly, less that 1% of homes are sold at an open house. Agents use them to attract future prospects, not sell the house! Advertising studies show that less than 3% of people purchased their home because they responded to an ad. If a machine answers, most callers just hang up without leaving a message. The right Realtor will employ a broad spectrum of marketing activities, emphasizing what he or she believes will work best for you. There are dozens of more effective ways to find buyers than just open houses and advertising. Did you know that most calls come in during business hours when sellers are at work, and most home showings are between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday? We market homes 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days a year!

Choosing the Wrong Realtor, or Choosing Them for the Wrong Reasons

It's very likely that you don't interview people very often, and yet in order to find the right Realtor, you may interview several. The quality of your home selling experience is dependent upon your skill at selecting the best qualified person.

It's interesting that in the real estate business, someone with many successfully closed transactions almost always costs the same as an inexperienced agent. Bringing that experience to bear on your transaction could mean a higher price at the negotiating table, selling in less time and with the minimum amount of hassles. The world is populated with Realtors who are wrong for you.

The sale of your home could well be the most important financial transaction you have ever been involved with. The person you select can make it a satisfying and profitable activity or a terrible experience. It's your home and your money. The choice of your Realtor is up to you. Make the selection carefully.