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How Not to Sell Your House

By Ryan Platzke: We’ve all been there. You make the life-altering decision to sell your home and move on to the next adventure.What comes after that decision?Research, of course! A quick Google search will turn up page after page of tips, tricks, and maneuvers you can perform to sell your home quickly and painlessly. There’s so many different takes that it can make your head spin. Sometimes, to help narrow your focus, it can be easier to think about things not to do when trying to sell your home. This week, let’s look at three common pitfalls and ways to avoid them while selling your home:

1.Show your house the way it is you live in it from day to day.

When selling your house, staging is one of the most important things you can do. If you leave out too many pictures, magazines, books, and knick knacks, buyers can quickly feel overwhelmed. Even worse, they may not love the same things you do. For instance, they might see a book they didn’t like and associate that dislike with your house itself.

So clear off those shelves and keep personality present but minimal.Let perspective buyers imagine themselves living here instead of getting distracted judging you and your decorating tastes.

2. Not cleaning before a potential buyer visits.

We all get busy, and sometimes cleaning house falls by the wayside in lieu of other things. But when you’re trying to sell a house, keep things clean, organized, and wiped down.Just because you did it last night doesn’t mean everything is pristine now. Take the time to dust the corners. Your eventual payoff will be worth the extra time and effort.

3. Leave pets (and evidence of them) in the house.

I get it! Fido the dog is a valued member of the family, and Mr. Whiskers the cat has been with you since you first moved out of your college dormitory. But when it comes to showing your house, see if they can spend the day somewhere else. Just because you know your pets are well-behaved and friendly doesn’t mean that buyers will agree. They may not like animals. And furthermore, no one likes cat-hair dustbunnies or dog toys scattered everywhere.Clean up the pet toys, make sure the litter box is fresh and clean, and keep your house animal free during viewings.

If you’re worried about a house-selling mishap, give us a call today!We have the know-how and experience to help you sell your home quickly and at a competitive price point. Give us a call today to get started!

At Helgeson Platzke Real Estate Group, we are proud to be a member of Eden Prairie’s esteemed small business community.Since 1995, we’ve offered the very best in Twin Cities real estate, earning our community’s trust as the #1 Sales Team in the Eden Prairie area. With over 4,500 homes sold, our staff has both the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure that your home ownership goals are delivered. So, if you’re considering buying or selling your Eden Prairie area home this summer, now is the time to enlist the help of a real estate professional who can help you make the most of this season’s extraordinary market.