7 Essential Tasks That Home Sellers Frequently Overlook

When it comes to selling your home, the to-do list seems never-ending: from finding a reliable real estate agent and doing touch-ups to fixing that stubborn air conditioner and considering staging options. With so much on your plate, it’s not surprising that certain important tasks sometimes slip through the cracks (and we’re not here to place blame!).

To ensure a smooth selling process, our team of experts—experienced real estate agents who have assisted numerous home sellers—has pinpointed the often overlooked to-do’s. Rest assured, these tasks won’t demand much time, yet their value is immeasurable.

Follow this invaluable advice, and you’ll find that selling your house may not be as overwhelming as people often make it out to be.

1. Google your address

It’s crucial for sellers to be proactive in monitoring what’s being said about their property on the internet. Surprisingly, not all sellers take this step, but it’s highly recommended. According to the National Association of Realtors®, a staggering 90% of buyers utilize online resources while searching for a home.

Sellers are advised to pay attention to their online listing’s appearance, as it significantly impacts the concerns potential buyers may have. For instance, if the estimated value on the site differs greatly from your asking price, it could be due to incorrect information in the tax records about the number of bedrooms or bathrooms in your house. Fortunately, this is a simple issue to rectify.

Another important factor to consider is the influence of mapping technology, particularly Google Maps’ street view. It’s possible that the street view of your property might not display the improvements you’ve made, which is why it’s essential to include those updates in your listing to give buyers a comprehensive and accurate view of your property. Being aware of these online aspects will enhance your selling process and ensure you make a strong impression on potential buyers.

2. Account for improvements and issues

It is suggested that if you’ve been a homeowner for an extended period, take the time to compile a list of all the issues you’ve successfully addressed during your tenure. This may encompass various matters such as chimney fires, water damage, or basement floods. Regardless of whether you resolved these problems or not, it’s crucial to disclose this information to potential buyers to avoid potential legal issues post-sale.

It is also emphasized the significance of revealing any “invisible improvements” you’ve made, such as regrading the land or installing a French drain system. Sharing these enhancements can provide a considerable sense of reassurance to prospective buyers.

Similarly, when it comes to sewer lines, tanks, radon remediation, or leaky skylights, and disclosure is important. Being forthright about these aspects builds trust and transparency between you and the buyer.

3. Check your real estate agent’s references

To safeguard your time, money, and peace of mind, it is crucial to be diligent in finding the best real estate agent for your needs, as a poorly behaved or incompetent agent could lead to significant consequences. Here are some extra steps you can take to ensure you make the right choice

Before making any decisions, it’s essential to verify that the individuals you are considering to work with hold a valid and up-to-date real estate license, and have a clean track record with no complaints filed against them. Take the time to schedule a meeting with the agent in person to get a better understanding of their qualifications and approach. Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out directly to a few of their provided references to gather insights into their past performance and client satisfaction. Being thorough in these steps will help ensure you select a reliable and trustworthy real estate professional.

4. Insist on social media marketing

In addition to staging your home beautifully, setting a competitive price, and listing your property, there’s another crucial aspect to prepare before you’re fully ready to sell: a well-thought-out social media marketing plan. Marianne Leonard Cashman suggests several must-do strategies, including video tours, floor plans, and captivating photo galleries, all promoted on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Cashman emphasizes the importance of utilizing all available avenues to attract the right buyer for your home. This involves ensuring your agent showcases your home not only on their website but also on their agency’s website. Moreover, your property should be promoted on various other sites that specialize in marketing homes and providing information about upcoming open houses. By leveraging social media and online platforms effectively, you can significantly enhance your property’s visibility and increase your chances of finding the perfect buyer for your home.

5. Make sure the doorbell rings

The importance of attention to detail cannot be underestimated when it comes to selling your home. Even seemingly minor cosmetic repairs can have a significant impact on the success of your sale. Neglecting to fix something as simple as a broken doorbell may send a negative message to potential buyers, making them wonder about other potential issues within the property.

First impressions are crucial. A well-maintained home, starting from the moment buyers view it from the curb, conveys a sense of pride in homeownership and diligent care. This perception, in turn, translates to reduced energy and costs for the buyer as they anticipate moving into a well-kept property.

6. Clean inside everything

Storage space can be a significant selling point for homes. Hence, it’s essential to be prepared because potential buyers will thoroughly investigate closets, drawers, cabinets, ovens, refrigerators, and even the dishwasher—whether they are cleaned or not. Ensuring these spaces are spotless is crucial.

Investing in a professional deep-cleaning service will prove beneficial, as it can potentially increase your sales price by at least tenfold. Remember, simply sweeping and scrubbing the surfaces until they shine is not enough. The job is not complete until every trace of dust, crumbs, and unwelcome critters are meticulously cleaned from the small spaces within these storage areas. By prioritizing this level of cleanliness, you will leave a positive and lasting impression on buyers, potentially accelerating the sale of your home.

7. Clarify which items are not included

It’s crucial to avoid potential complications with buyers falling in love with your house due to its custom window treatments or other fixtures that you intend to take with you when you move. To prevent any misunderstandings, it’s essential to be clear about what items are included in the sale and what you plan to take with you.

The law generally considers anything bolted to the wall or ceiling as part of the property and, therefore, transfers to the buyer unless explicitly excluded in the contract. If you have specific items you want to keep, such as a flat-screen TV, chandelier, or custom pot rack, it’s essential to label them as excluded from the sale as soon as the house is listed. This way, buyers won’t assume they come with the property and be disappointed later on.

Being upfront and transparent about what is included in the sale will help ensure a smoother and more positive home-selling process for both you and the potential buyers.

Experts in Residential Real Estate in Orlando

If you are BUYING or SELLING real estate it’s quiet often the single most important financial decision you make. For the last 30 years we have helped clients buying and selling property in Orlando and the surrounding areas. Put simply, this means the knowledge and expertise accumulated over this time ensures our clients get the best representation possible.

Our experienced agents will help and guide you through the entire process providing valuable support every step of the way.

Closing on a House: Helpful Settlement Advice for Home Sellers

In order to finalize the purchase of a house, it is important to reach the settlement table. Although you are approaching the final stages of selling your home, it is not time to relax just yet. While it may be a relief to no longer worry about constantly showing your home, you still have responsibilities towards the buyer, the buyer’s agent, and the contractual agreements.

As a seller, it is crucial to understand the essential aspects of the settlement process

What contingencies impact sellers before closing on a house

When you’re checking out a home for sale, it’s not just about the curb appeal, my friend. Sellers usually spruce things up before putting their house on the market, like giving those cabinets a fresh coat of paint and swapping out the hardware.

But hey, here’s the deal: if the job isn’t done right, you bet buyers are gonna notice the shoddy workmanship. In fact, some buyers might completely lose interest in the house if the renovations are a hot mess.

So, hang tight and let’s spill the tea on the most common DIY projects that home sellers tackle—and how they can totally botch ’em up.

1. Altering garage space to add square footage

Extra square footage is usually a hit with potential buyers, but there’s a catch: it has to flow naturally and seamlessly with the rest of the house. That awkwardly converted space can be a deal breaker for many.

I recently had a client who encountered this issue. The homeowner had enclosed the carport, put carpet over the cement garage floor, and turned it into a game room. But guess what? The buyer took one look at it and didn’t even bother checking out the rest of the house. Talk about a turn-off, right?

Converting a garage into living space may give you more room inside, but it comes at the cost of losing valuable storage and parking space. And in this case, it even messed up the curb appeal because instead of a garage door, there was just a wall at the end of the driveway. Not exactly the ideal first impression.

2. Doors that don’t open right

We all understand that a stunning front door can instantly boost the curb appeal of a house. However, if that door sticks or requires some fancy handle maneuvering just to enter, all that appeal goes down the drain. And guess what? The same goes for interior doors too. If you’ve invested in upgraded doors for your home but they aren’t properly installed, they’ll quickly lose their “wow” factor.

A door that swings the wrong way or doesn’t give enough clearance to the sink, toilet, or cabinetry is a dead giveaway that a licensed professional wasn’t involved in the process. It’s all about the details, my friend, and a well-hung door can make a significant difference in the overall impression of your home.

3. Haphazardly placed hardware

If your kitchen cabinets are still in top-notch condition but could use a hardware upgrade, pay close attention to how you position those new knobs, pulls, and handles.

Believe it or not, even seemingly minor details like backward or upside-down hardware don’t escape the eagle-eyed gaze of buyers. These little blunders can be a major turnoff for potential buyers who are looking for a move-in ready property. Let’s face it, nobody wants to deal with fixing someone else’s sloppy work when they’re looking for their dream home.

4. Crown molding that looks anything but elegant

Crown molding has the potential to add value and elegance to a room by framing it. However, if the installation is poorly executed, it can have the opposite effect.

In a recent example, a condo underwent renovations before being listed for sale. The family room was upgraded with the addition of crown molding. Unfortunately, the craftsmanship left much to be desired, with noticeable flaws such as visible cuts and nails.

Furthermore, this lack of attention to detail extended beyond the family room to other areas of the house, including the trim work. Potential buyers quickly noticed these subpar finishes, which ultimately deterred them from considering the property. This serves as a reminder that meticulous workmanship and precision are crucial when aiming to create a positive impression on prospective buyers and maximize the chances of a successful sale.

5. Painting over imperfections on the wall

Painting is a go-to DIY project for many homeowners. It’s a cost-effective way to give a room an instant refresh, but there’s a catch—it has to be done right.

Simply rolling a fresh coat of paint over surfaces that haven’t been properly prepared won’t hide imperfections like cracks, gaps, or chipped paint. These flaws will show through the new color, completely defeating the purpose of impressing potential buyers with freshly painted rooms. The key here is to properly prep the walls before painting to ensure a smooth and flawless finish that will make a positive impact on buyers.

6. Botched mortar jobs

Uh-oh! Your open house is just around the corner, and guess what? You’ve just spotted cracks in the mortar between the bricks next to your front door. While you might be tempted to make a quick hardware store run for some mortar filler and tackle the job yourself, here’s the deal—you’ll need more than just a caulk gun to handle those gaps properly.

The real issue arises when old mortar isn’t removed and new mortar is simply applied on top. That shoddy DIY approach can seriously harm the overall aesthetic of your house, making a terrible first impression on potential buyers. It’s crucial to take the necessary steps to address the issue professionally and ensure that your home leaves a positive lasting impression on buyers.

7. New vanity, old faucet

Having an updated bathroom can greatly attract buyers, and one of the key elements that can transform its appearance is a new vanity. It has the power to change the overall aesthetics from old and grimy to fresh and modern—unless you’ve only done half of the job.

According to Melanie Everett,  founder of Melanie Everett and Company, a stylish and contemporary vanity loses its impact when buyers notice that you didn’t replace the outdated, calcium-corroded faucet. It simply doesn’t make sense. Moreover, it’s worth noting that you can easily find trendy faucets for under $100.

Consistency is key when making small tweaks to your bathroom. It’s essential to ensure that all the elements work together harmoniously. So, if you’re going for a new vanity, it’s wise to make sure that the faucet matches the desired aesthetic. Don’t overlook these details that can make a significant difference in attracting buyers and creating a cohesive bathroom design.

8. Painting worn-out kitchen cabinets

It’s common knowledge that an outdated kitchen can be a deal breaker for many potential homebuyers. However, if you haven’t had the chance to replace your worn-out cabinets, you might think that a fresh coat of glossy white paint can make them look new for the listing photos, right? Well, not quite.

Trying to fool buyers with the appearance of the cabinets in listing photos won’t work when they visit the property in person. While the light color may initially attract buyers to request a show

It’s important to be upfront about the condition of your kitchen cabinets. While a coat of paint can help freshen them up, if they are in poor shape, it’s best to address the underlying issues or consider a more comprehensive renovation. Being transparent with potential buyers will save both parties from disappointment and ensure a fair assessment of the property’s value.

Experts in Residential Real Estate in Orlando

If you are BUYING or SELLING real estate it’s quiet often the single most important financial decision you make. For the last 30 years we have helped clients buying and selling property in Orlando and the surrounding areas. Put simply, this means the knowledge and expertise accumulated over this time ensures our clients get the best representation possible.

Our experienced agents will help and guide you through the entire process providing valuable support every step of the way.