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New York City real estate can be a tough market, and if you’re a seller, you probably have your eyes set on two prizes, selling fast and at the highest price possible. Real estate agents know this and love to see the enthusiasm in a seller, but you can cause more harm than good if you get in the way. Here are five things sellers do that drive their agents crazy.
Trying to convince the agent that the home is worth more than it isTrying to convince the agent that the home is worth more than it is
If you’ve picked an experienced realtor, they know how to price a home. Every agent has a system that ensures a competitive price and considers all aspects of the property and the current market. However, some sellers will argue that the price is not good enough, usually by overhyping upgrades. What seems like a bonus might not be so to a buyer.
Sticking around for the showSticking around for the show
There are good reasons why agents don’t like it when owners stick around during a showing or open house. If you do this, then you’re the third wheel. Buyers already have a bit of apprehension when viewing a property; this only increases when they are home. It feels like they (the buyers) are intruding. The real estate agent is there to encourage offers and showcase the property. Your presence only makes this more complicated, and there’s always the chance you’ll say something that drives the buyer away.
Promising repairs but not following throughPromising repairs but not following through
If you’re doing any repairs, make sure you do them before the house hits the market. Sometimes sellers will tell buyers that they plan to make repairs. But what if those repairs are expensive or you change your mind? Not following through on repairs can cause deals to fall through or upset the agent and seller’s relationship. Don’t promise any repairs unless you’ve budgeted for them and are sure you intend to fix them.
Giving agents no room to breathGiving agents no room to breath
Until you’re on the market, it’s hard to know what you’ll get. Selling your home might be the only thing on your mind, but your agent will have other things that call for his attention. A seller who continually needs the agent’s undivided attention or tries to micromanage every step of the process can wear down an agent fast. Unless it’s an emergency, put the phone down and take a deep breath. An agent who isn’t continually being pestered will do a better job.
You are not keeping the home tidy.You are not keeping the home tidy.
It’s harder to entice potential buyers if you can’t keep the house neat and clean. You may have had professional photos taken, and expert staging is done, but it’s still your responsibility to keep the home in order. Not maintaining cleanliness to a certain standard makes your home look like it’s worth less than it’s on the market and forces the agent to do a last-minute clean before doing a showing.