Four Common Mistakes Made By Home Sellers, And How To Avoid Them

1. Not Preparing Your Home To Look Attractive To Buyers. Your home is competing with more than 1,000 other homes. Buyers buy on emotion, not logic. The best marketing program in the world can only bring lots of buyers into your home – it can't make them like the home. See our "How to Show Your Home" flyer.
2. Signing A Long-Term Listing Without A Written, Specific Performance Guarantee And Easy-Exit Clause. Don't rely on verbal promises. Make sure that you receive a written promise stating that you can cancel without charge if the performance is other than what was promised.
3. Not First Obtaining A Qualified Bank Appraisal And Commitment For Financing From A Home Lender. How would you feel if your home sold for $106,500 and then you find out from the bank appraiser that it was worth $116,000? In today's real estate market, this happens often! Your home will have to be appraised by a state licensed bank appraiser sooner or later. Sooner can result in several extra thousands of dollars in your pocket.
   
   Bonus: Buyers are afraid of paying too much for a house. That's why they often make low offers. A certified bank appraisal helps you sell for full price because the buyer can see that the price was established by a professional third party.
4. Not Obtaining Written Pre-Approval For A New Home Loan For Your New Home. Nothing is more heartbreaking than to sell your home and find your new dream home, only to find that you can't obtain financing for the dream home.
   
   A written pre-approval is a formal written promise by a home lender to make you a new home loan. It costs only $100 (I can often help you get them for no charge), which will be applied to your down payment when you get your new home. Do not confuse a verbal pre-qualification with a formal written pre-approval. Verbal pre-qualifications are just that – verbal. They are not binding on the home lender. Many home buyers have received verbal pre-qualifications, only to later be denied a home loan and have their dream shattered.
   
   I'd be more than happy to give you the name of several highly competent, well-respected home lenders, who may provide you with a formal, written pre-approval at no charge, as a result of my recommendation. Please feel free to give me a call for their names.

The above recommendations come from years of experience in the real estate industry during buyers' markets, sellers' markets, high interest rates and low interest rates. In any economy, however, the listed recommendations apply in all situations. Follow these guidelines and you will substantially reduce the often stressful and sometimes expensive mistakes made by hundreds of home sellers in our area each year. For FREE help and guidance in selling your home, call Chris Mattix (425) 954-4020.

Copyright © 1998-2006 Chris Mattix All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

Chris Mattix
Windermere Real Estate/North, Inc.
4211 Alderwood Mall Blvd Ste 110
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Direct Line: 425-954-4020
Toll Free: 1-877-954-4020
Fax: 425-776-5680
E-mail: mattixc@windermere.com
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