Selling Your Home? 7 Things to Know Right Off the Bat

As important as it is not to set too low a sales price, you also want to avoid setting the price too high. This mistake is all too easy to make and may be the kiss of death for some home sales. Here’s why: If the asking price is too steep, your house may languish on the market. A house that has sat on the market too long is a signal to prospective buyers that something is amiss, and they may steer clear of the listing. Likewise, dropping the price after you put your house on the market can come across as a desperate move, one that may give the buyer the upper hand.

Related: 12 Reasons Your Home Isn't Worth as Much as You Think

When you hire a real estate agent, you’re engaging an expert who knows all the right buzzwords to use to pique buyers’ interest, and which words to avoid. For example, a “charming” living room may just come across as super small, and a “cozy” home is often code for a fixer-upper. While honesty is the best policy when selling a home, there's no reason why you shouldn't jazz up a listing a bit in order to get potential buyers in the door.

Related: 12 Secrets Every Savvy Home Seller Needs to Know

Certain times of the year are great for listing a house (Psst! Presidents’ Day weekend) and others are a total wash (Christmas and New Year’s, for instance). If you’re lucky enough to have some flexibility in when your house goes on the market, keep this information in mind. It may speed up the sale.

Related: 8 Things New Homeowners Waste Money On

The lawn is the first thing potential buyers see when they’re driving up to your house, so it's important that the yard make a stellar first impression. To wow even the most observant visitors, mow the lawn right before an open house or walk-through, even if you just mowed it a couple of days before. Not only will a quick mowing session boost curb appeal, but it will release the irresistible scent of freshly cut grass—a smell that could help buyers develop positive associations with your house.

Related: The Best (and Worst) Things You Can Do Before an Open House

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