Want to make sure your home languishes on the market?  Just follow these 10 easy steps and I guarantee you won’t be packing to move any time soon! 

10.  Make it really difficult to show.   Don’t allow your agent to install a lock box and limit the time your home can be shown to a really narrow window, like Thursday mornings between 10:00 – 11:30.  If your home can’t be shown, trust me, the agent will find another home to show to their buyer clients. 

9.  Show off your DIY.  If you are one of those people who shouldn’t be allowed in Home Depot, don’t worry – the buyers will understand.  Maybe the living room paint job isn’t so neat but the tile in the bathroom is almost level. If the buyer wants to do their own thing, they can just fix it after they buy it.  No point hiring a professional!

8.  Don’t get hung-up on marketing.  Who says you need to do anything besides stick a sign in the yard and post on the MLS?  Individual property websites, videos, syndication, viewing on mobile phones, text for info, direct mailing – that’s all just fancy schmancy stuff, right?  And of course you can sell it yourself… 

7.  Share your love for wallpaper.  You love that red accent wall with the black and white floor tiles, and the new flocked wallpaper gracing the bedroom walls.  What’s not to like?  You’re positive buyers will appreciate your design skills.  Why would they see your decorating as too taste specific? Neutral is just so boring.  

6.  Don’t worry about repairs.  Buyers should be able to use their imagination and look past a few holes in the walls, the door jam your dog likes to chew and the ripped window screens.  Don’t bother with the dirty woodwork and burnt out light bulbs. Buyers might wonder what else needs to be repaired, but they can fix those things after they buy, right?   

5.  Let the front yard go natural.  Don’t worry about that first impression!  If a buyer is serious, they’ll come inside. There might be some weeds and the lawn is pretty much dead, but then, we haven’t had much rain.  And Uncle Dan’s car project on the driveway is under a big old tarp, so buyers probably won’t notice it or the oil stains on the driveway.  

4.  Don’t mind the clutter.  Hey you live there.  Of course the beds aren’t made and there are dishes in the sink.  You and the kids are busy.  No time to go through the pile of magazines and mail on the dining room table. And the cereal boxes have to be on the counter.  I mean there just isn’t enough storage, right? 

3.  Ignore those smells.  You’re a family of pet lovers – who doesn’t love their pet?  Sometimes it takes awhile to get around to cleaning the cat’s litter box and the puppy might not make it to the dog door in time.  A friend said that sometimes there is a bit of a smell from the pets or Uncle Dan’s cigars…  You don’t notice it though, so buyers probably won’t either.  

2.  Don’t discuss your location.  Your street has gotten really busy and noisy since you moved in 5 years ago.  Buyers probably won’t like that so don’t bother telling them about  the award-winning school just 2 blocks away or how close you are to shopping and restaurants, or your easy commute to downtown.   

And the #1 way to NOT sell your home ….. 

1.  Over price it.  You spent a lot of money on all of those projects around the house, including that fire pit you built in the back yard.  It really is worth top dollar.  There haven’t been any comparable sales at the price you’re asking, but that’s because your home is so much better than any of the other homes.  It just takes the right person to walk in the door, and BAM, they’ll be happy to pay your price. 

LOL! Funny stuff, but you’d be surprised how many homeowners commit one or more of these home-selling sins. Selling your home quickly, for top dollar takes planning, work and savvy marketing.  If you’re ready to sell your San DiegoCounty home, let’s talk.  Call me for a free, no-obligation market analysis and customized marketing plan. 

Looking to buy?  Start with my new home buying guide!