It’s incredibly frustrating. Everything seems to be falling into place—the buyer is highly interested, asking all the right questions, and you feel like you’ve got them hooked. All that’s left is to reel them in. But then, out of nowhere, you get the dreaded call from your real estate agent: the buyer has changed their mind. They’re no longer interested. What went wrong? The reality is, many things can make or break the sale of your home, and even small missteps can turn an eager buyer away. It could have been one (or more) of these.
3 Things That Can Make or Break the Sale of Your Home
1. The Roof
As a potential buyer approaches your home, one of the very first things they’ll notice is the roof. If it has damaged or missing shingles, obvious leaks, or gutters that aren’t draining properly, that buyer will have concerns. Your roof is one of the things that can make or break the sale of your home. To avoid turning off potential buyers, it’s crucial to ensure your roof is in good repair before anyone even sets foot on your property.
During the inspection—the inevitable part of the process—the condition of the roof will almost certainly be scrutinized. If it’s in poor shape, it could not only become a deal breaker but also develop into a major disclosure issue.
But here’s the good news: a new roof holds incredible remodeling value. Two key reasons matter here: 1) a new roof ranks high on the list of upgrades that have the most appeal to buyers, and 2) a new roof can provide a 100% or more return on investment when you sell your home.
2. Keywords in Listings
This is the digital age, where most people do their initial house shopping online, which means online listings are highly important. But that also means that keywords and other descriptive words in the listing must be accurate and honest. Although the real estate agent is usually in charge of creating the listing, you might want to have a hand in it.
For Example:
If your home is in less-than-perfect shape and needs a little attention, don’t describe it as “in excellent condition.” You’ll be called out as soon as people come to look at your home. Honesty is a better policy here.
If you list your home as “renovated,” it needs to have been renovated. A few minor cosmetic improvements don’t constitute renovation.
If you want to say your home is in “move-in condition,” just be aware that the phrase means different things to different people.
Embellishments like “a must-see” shouldn’t be used unless your home is a must-see.
Honesty/dishonesty and accuracy/inaccuracy in listings are things that can make or break the sale of your home.
3. The Price
Conventional wisdom used to suggest pricing your home slightly above market value, hoping to get lucky and sell at that price for a healthy profit. Alternatively, you’d have room for negotiation and still sell it at market value. But the landscape has shifted, and that approach is no longer effective.
In today’s fast-paced home-buying market, where buyers are more informed than ever, overpricing your home can have serious downsides. One of the key things that can make or break the sale of your home is price. Buyers will quickly spot an overpriced property, which can lead to your home sitting on the market much longer than you’d like. As time passes without any offers, your home could develop a stigma, with buyers assuming there’s a significant issue. This can make it even harder to sell. Getting your pricing right from the start is essential for a quick, successful sale.
Selling your Effingham County and Savannah home can be a lengthy process, often involving frustrating negotiations and unexpected pitfalls that, if not carefully managed, could break the deal. However, being aware of the things that can make or break the sale of your home gives you a distinct advantage. From market trends to property condition and the negotiation process, understanding these factors can greatly increase your chances of success. We can guide you through each step, helping you navigate challenges and sell your home quickly and effectively. Let us help you make your home sale a success.
Want to learn more about selling your home in Effingham County and Savannah or a surrounding area? Contact me by phone at (912) 695-6932 or fill out this form.
