House Selling Advice to Avoid.

It’s human nature to seek the advice of family and friends when making an important decision. But as many of us have learned the hard way, not all advice is sound, as well intentioned as it may be.

Take selling your house, for example, or even just exploring the possibility. You want to hear from the experts? They’re all around you – family, friends, and neighbors alike. In fact, ask them any question at all related to selling your house and they’re usually all too glad to tell you “exactly” how things should be done.

Take it from us: adhering to some of that advice could cost you dearly, the following examples included:

“Don’t worry about curb appeal, it’s what’s inside that matters.” Ha, and talk about bad advice! Statistics show that within 30 seconds of pulling up to a house, buyers decide whether they are interested or not. So it doesn’t matter how beautiful your home is on the inside if you can’t get prospective buyers out of the car. Tidy up your lawn, add some color with flowers and shrubs, and make sure that your house is as attractive outside as it is in.

“If you’re not ready to sell in the spring, don’t bother.” Spring has traditionally been the optimal time of year to sell. And while it still is one of the more buying and selling season, today’s sellers know that a house is more likely to sell faster when inventory is low, like the cooler weather months. So if you’re not quite ready to make the move this spring, you don’t have to wait until next year to get your house on the market.

“All buyers want a fully remodeled kitchen.” Depending on the price point of similar homes in your neighborhood, a full kitchen gut job may not get you the most bang for your buck. Instead, consider upgrading your appliances, painting or re-facing your cabinets, and installing new hardware to give your kitchen a face lift for a fraction of the cost.

“Lower your price instead of spending money on costly repairs.” Not all buyers are interested in a handy-man special. And even many who are prefer houses that have the big stuff taken care of. So fix the leaky pipes, get to the root of the occasional flooding in the basement, and reinforce the sagging deck. Then, add a fresh coat a paint, a thorough cleaning and watch the offers start rolling in.

“Hide problems with a coat of paint.” Hiding problems such as mold, cracks, or dry rot violates disclosure laws and can get you in a world of trouble. So instead of trying to cover up real issues, fix them before listing your house for sale.

You know what else prospective buyers really love – no kidding?! Updated bathrooms. They may be small compared to the other rooms in your house, but don’t let size fool you. Bathrooms are places of comfort and reflection, and buyers want to see that you understand that unwritten code. So before you drive that “For sale” sign post into your front lawn, contact Your 1 Plumber for help in updating the look, feel, and functionality of your bathroom. You’ll love the difference it makes for as long as you live there. And your house will be more sale worthy if and when the time comes.