Health & Fitness
BIGGEST HOME SELLER MISTAKES
BIGGEST HOME SELLER MISTAKES
Survey of 1,000 Real Estate Agents Reveals the Top Six Ways to Sabotage the Sale of Your Home
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Acton,MA: The most common reasons that a house will not sell in a good market are often well within the control of the home seller according to a recent survey by the ActiveRain online real estate community. In a poll of over 1,000 real estate agents, it was revealed that the top six ways home sellers turn potential home buyers away are:
1. The home is overpriced
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2. It is difficult to set a showing time
3. The seller is unwilling to depersonalize or declutter the home
4. Unpleasant odors
5. The seller is unwilling to negotiate with buyers
6. The seller refuses to make repairs
Betsy Purcell, a local REALTOR® with Keller Williams Boston NW, confirms that these same findings hold true for homes in the Acton/Boxborough area. “It is up to the agent to educate the seller on aspects of the home selling process that can instantly turn off a potential buyer,” stated Betsy. “However, some sellers get on the defensive when you point out pets, odors, and housekeeping, so it is a very fine line to walk!”
Purcell reflects on a time when she worked with a seller who refused to de-clutter the home. "There were stacks of books, artwork and papers everywhere, to the point where it was difficult to walk around. He worked from home and would cancel showings when he didn't feel like leaving the house." Needless to say, it didn't end well for him.
“I wish stories like this weren’t common in my line of work. Today, real estate agents spend plenty of time educating their sellers before their house ever goes on the market to avoid these expensive mistakes.”