Selling your home involves a lot of work, especially if you’re trying to buy a home at the same time.  You have to get all of those little things done around the house that you’ve been meaning to do for years—things like touching up the paint, looking for the right tile dealer so you can finally replace that cracked tile, and getting the rest of that backsplash put in.  You also have to pack and take care of everything involved with moving, all while trying to keep your home in pristine condition. Depending on the state of the property, one of the first steps before even getting started will be to contact a roll off dumpster rental service in order to clean the property as thoroughly as possible. Having to mind all of this work can cause sellers to skip over important steps or forget about certain things.  If you’re selling your home, try to avoid making these costly mistakes.

Common Selling MistakesDon’t skip the home inspection.  You will want to have a pre-listing inspection if possible.  This way, you’ll be able to look at the issues that come up and fix them before buyers have a chance to look over the home.  You can also handle things on your own schedule and fit repairs into your budget as needed instead of trying to get everything done before the closing.

Not Doing your Prep Work.  All those little chores mentioned above?  Do them.  Buyers are very picky, and they’re going to be looking for any little thing they can find to justify offering you less money or asking you to fix things. By the same token, letting them know that you’ve gone the extra mile, perhaps by hiring professionals to perform a drain cleaning and evaluate the condition of the plumbing should score your some points with potential buyers. You and your realtor should sit down with the report from your pre-inspection and determine what absolutely must be done before the property can be shown to anyone.

Going with the Wrong Real Estate Agent.  Some people ask their realtor friend or relative to represent them, but this isn’t always the best.  They may not know that much about your area or the type of home you’re trying to sell.  You should always look for a realtor who has an excellent reputation and knows your neighborhood.  If you’re a member of the LGBT community, you may feel more comfortable with a gay or lesbian realtor, especially if your home is located in one of your city’s major LGBT neighborhoods.

Pricing your Home Too High.  One of the reasons finding the best realtor is a must is that they will help you determine a good, reasonable price for your house.  Your realtor shouldn’t be afraid to tell you that you’re asking too much, nor should they let you set your price too low.  If you do set your price too high, you’re going to have to come down eventually or let your house sit on the market for months.