6 Home Selling Myths Debunked

6 Home-Selling Myths You Need to Stop Believing Immediately

by Dori Zinn

Selling a home is as much a science as buying one is. And lots of people will want to tell you how it's done. Beware of these (well-meaning) storytellers, and don't fall for some of the most common misconceptions about selling your home.

MYTH NO. 1: YOU CAN DO IT SOLO

We know—you're cringing at the idea of paying those commission fees. But there's more to this process than putting a sign in the front yard and an ad on the MLS.

If you try to sell on your own, you have to do all the hustle—and there's a lot of hustle to marketing a home...Plus, who's going to weed out the creeps and the non serious buyers.   A REALTOR® does the heavy lifting—to attract the right kind of buyer, sift out the ones you would never want to do business with, and negotiate the heck out of potential offers to get you the best possible deal.

Myth No. 2: You Know What Your Home Is Worth

Who understands your home better than you? After all, you know all the sweat and money you've poured into it over the years—plus a few tiny flaws here and there.  But stop right there. Home valuations are always better left to the pros.

In fact, sales by owners tend to be overpriced because of the emotional factor, and that can make it harder to attract buyers. Your agent will know the neighborhood and has access to comps in order to determine  the best price for your home.

Myth No. 3: Sell Your Home As Is

You might think your home is in great shape (or at least adequate enough to sell), but you're probably overlooking some necessary changes that could boost your profits.  Have a professional  take a look. Many lenders require appraisals and some even require home inspections.  Be prepared.

MYTH NO. 4: UPGRADES SHOULD BE DRASTIC

You don't have to do a gut reno in order to get your home in selling condition. Maybe you need to freshen up the kitchen instead of getting a whole new one. Maybe you have to do a bit of front-yard landscaping to boost curb appeal.  

When you make too many improvements, you might be wasting money, because your taste and style might not appeal to prospective buyers. They might want to rip out your upgrades, or be turned off altogether. Simple things can make a big difference. 

MYTH NO. 5: SPRING IS THE ONLY TIME TO PUT A HOME ON THE MARKET

Spring and summer have long received all the real estate glory as the best and busiest time for home selling... But the truth is that any season can be the best. It just depends on the market.

MYTH NO. 6: YOU CAN RELY ON ONLINE "ESTIMATES"

Although online home value estimates  are a good starting point, they're no substitute for the expertise of a REALTOR®

There are all kinds of variables. You can't plug in a standard formula and expect it to give you accurate results.  There is no substitute for the input from a local expert who is willing to take the time to actually see your home and its features to give you an accurate market evaluation.