Selling a home can be exciting, but it also comes with certain risks and mistakes that can potentially derail the process. Many of these errors, while seemingly small, can cost you thousands of dollars or lead to legal liabilities down the road. To ensure a smooth and safe transaction, here are the top eight mistakes you should avoid when selling your house.
1. Failing to Remove Personal Information
You’ve probably already taken down family photos and personal decorations, but that’s not enough. Have you considered other personal items like your children’s names on the walls, or any paperwork with personal details left out in the open? These can pose security risks. Make sure to remove anything that could identify you or your family, as you don’t know who might be walking through your home. Potential criminals could use this information in unintended ways. Safety starts with protecting your privacy.
2. Leaving Prescription Medications Unsecured
Medications, especially addictive ones, can be a target during home showings. Thieves can easily slip into a bathroom or bedroom and steal prescription drugs while pretending to be interested buyers. To prevent this, secure all medications in a locked drawer or bag. Make sure they are completely out of sight to avoid any risk of them being taken. It’s a simple step that could save you from major headaches later on.
3. Leaving Documents and Bills in Plain Sight
Bills, checkbooks, and magazines with your name and address should be hidden from view during showings. Even a seemingly harmless stack of mail can contain enough information for identity theft. Make sure to lock away anything that contains your personal details. You may also want to secure items like your checkbook or credit card statements, and ensure your home looks as neutral and anonymous as possible to avoid any issues.
4. Not Hiding Valuables and Safes Properly
It’s important to protect your valuables during home showings. Jewelry, expensive artwork, and other high-ticket items should be stored in a safe or, better yet, moved offsite. If you have a portable safe, make sure it’s disguised or hidden in a place where it can’t easily be stolen. Avoid tempting potential thieves by leaving anything valuable out in the open.
For large items like expensive paintings, consider removing them before your home is photographed or shown. These steps help prevent theft and protect your belongings during the selling process.
5. Disclosing Hidden Surveillance
If you have security cameras or a Ring doorbell, it’s important to disclose this to potential buyers. While laws vary by state, it’s often a good idea to let buyers know they are being recorded. Not doing so could lead to legal liabilities later, as buyers may feel misled if they find out after the fact. The safest approach is to be upfront about any surveillance equipment in your home, so everyone is aware.
Realtors can add a note in the listing to inform buyers, keeping everything transparent. This practice helps avoid future disputes and keeps your sale process running smoothly.
6. Showing Signs of Desperation
Whether you’re going through a divorce or recently lost a loved one, letting buyers see that could make them think you’re desperate to sell, which could lead to lower offers. Things like empty closets or half-filled drawers are signals that you might be in a rush to sell. To avoid this, keep your home looking lived-in, even if you’ve already begun to pack. Fill closets and drawers to make the home feel full and occupied. You don’t want buyers to sense any urgency and try to negotiate a lower price based on their assumptions.
7. Requiring Buyers to Remove Shoes or Wear Booties
You may want to protect your new carpets, but requiring buyers to remove their shoes or wear booties could actually cause issues. There’s a liability risk if someone slips and falls while walking around your home in socks or booties. Additionally, if you insist on placing plastic runners on the floor to protect the carpet, you could create another tripping hazard. It’s better to let buyers keep their shoes on and clean the carpet later if necessary. The risk of an injury and a potential lawsuit far outweighs the temporary inconvenience of dirty floors.
8. Staying in the House During Showings
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is staying in your home during a showing. When the seller is present, buyers feel uncomfortable and pressured. Worse, they may ask questions like, “Why are you moving?” which could lead to awkward conversations that hurt your negotiating position. Avoid this altogether by leaving the house during showings. It’s better for both parties, as buyers can explore the home freely, and you won’t feel pressured to answer questions you’re not prepared to discuss.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can keep yourself safe, protect your home, and ensure a smoother, more successful home-selling process. Simple steps like removing personal information, securing valuables, and being transparent about surveillance can make a world of difference in how your home is perceived by buyers.
