Don't do these 35 things if you want to sell your house

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

In real estate, the "99" strategy is nearly always employed. For instance, a seller prices their home at $499,000 instead of $500,000 so that buyers might think they're getting a bargain.

But in most cases, though, knocking off $1,000 to bring the price below a rounded figure doesn't make that much difference to a buyer or seller, and may keep your home from appearing in some price-based searches.

Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

Sometimes, sellers overestimate their property's appeal and want to ask top dollar for it, even if their agent doesn't believe they’ll get it. Or perhaps another agent planted a high price tag in their mind. Aim high if you must, but set deadlines for lowering the price if necessary, and have parameters in mind for how low you'll go.

Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

According to Zillow, the asking price of a home should be within 10 percent of the average sold price in your neighborhood. Look for home sales in the past three months, especially since appraisers only look at comparable from the last 90 days.

Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

Your potential buyer may use closing costs as a bargaining chip, so be prepared. If you're desperate to sell or in a big hurry to move, you might not want to risk losing an interested buyer. In that case, it might be worth it to pay for some or all of the closing costs.

Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

Make sure your smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and other safety devices are working properly. Also, be sure to have an up-to-date fire extinguisher.

Don't Hover Over the Appraiser

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

Appraisers are likely greeted by eager home sellers all the time. Back off and let them work. You can make their work pleasant, but don't go overboard and trail them through every room. It's likely to set off alarms.

Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

With increased foot traffic coming through your home, make sure all your insurance coverage is up to date. Someone unfamiliar with your home could trip and fall, your dog could bite somebody and your pool could be a potential hazard. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

Do your research when finding a broker. Talk to neighbors and friends who recently sold for a gauge of who’s good. Take a look at how they list homes and pay attention to the details. Do you want to buy from them when looking at their web site?

See why it's a good idea to not go to your real estate agent for a home inspector.

Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

Don't Stick to the '99' Strategy, Don't Forget a Pricing Contingency Plan, Don't Forget to Look at the Comparables, Don't Be Unprepared for Closing Costs, Don't Forget to Have Safety Equipment Installed and Working, Don't Hover Over the Appraiser, Don’t Forget to Be Properly Insured, Don’t Put Off Researching Brokers, Don’t Assume You Have to Sell in Spring

There might be some advantages to selling later in the year. Home inventory typically drops in the fall, and buyers will crave the sight of new listings.

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