Murphy’s Law – if it can go wrong, it will go wrong. And anyone trying to sell their Waterloo Region home has to be prepared to deal with it. If you know however what might go wrong, you may be better prepared to put it right – or at least deal with the situation without panicking.
Some People Just Won’t Love Your Home the Way that You Do
Most Waterloo Region homeowners take a lot of pride in their home, and it is not because they don’t love it that they’re selling it. Most home sellers have other reasons for moving on – they need more space, they are relocating for work, and so on. Potential buyers however want to purchase a home that can be moulded to suit their tastes, so the chances they will love it “as is” are minimal.
In these cases, don’t be offended. Often, even though home buyers will vocalize their intentions to make some big changes, they will still go ahead and make an offer. It can be hard, but sellers need to disconnect from their home emotionally whenever it is shown, which is why it’s best not to be around at all and leave everything to your real estate agent.
Your Home May Not Be Worth What You Think
You took your time deciding on the best asking price for your home. You checked all the comps, you asked your Realtor for advice. Yet no buyer has yet to match that asking price.
So do you give in and take the lower offer, or hold out for the right bid? That is up to you, but you do need to understand that your home is only really worth what a buyer thinks it is.
If you did all your homework and the offer is way below the asking price it may be prudent to refuse, you are probably being low balled. But if it is only off by a thousand or so, you should still consider it, especially if there are a number of other similar properties for sale in your area.
Ultimately, though, this is likely to be less of a problem if you are working with the right real estate agent. A local agent has to keep their finger on the pulse of the market as it is RIGHT NOW. In a lively real estate market, ideal pricing can change fast. Listen to your experienced local agent and your pricing should be right from the start, and there will be buyers out there willing to pay it.
Potential Home Buyers Will Annoy You
Potential home buyers – let’s call them home shoppers – can be annoying. Some will leave their empty coffee cup on your counter, and others may open up every cupboard in your kitchen and then leave them all that way when they head to the next room.
Some will bring little kids with them who run and scream, and others will talk a little too loudly when discussing with their partner what they don’t like about your home.
Unless they are truly offensive, though, you really do have to grin and bear it. The family with all the screaming kids may end up being the ones that think that your home is the perfect one for them.
Want to know the best way to deal with this one, though? Again, whenever possible, just don’t be there when your home is being shown. Take a break and let your Realtor deal with these little annoyances, they are used to it, believe us.
The Home Inspection May Be a Shock
Apart from overpricing, there is no bigger deal killer than a bad home inspection. Home inspections can turn up all kinds of unseen problems that end up adversely affecting the smooth sale of your home.
The best way to avoid any nasty surprises is to order your own home inspection before you put your home on the market. Get a home seller’s inspection, and you’ll have advance knowledge of any problems that must be fixed or that might devalue your home when a buyer gets theirs done.
Another reason to get your own home inspection done is that if it is a favorable one, your real estate agent can - with your permission - share it with potential buyers so that they can be confident in their potential purchase from the start.
Looking to sell your Waterloo Region home? Let Team Pinto use their huge local real estate experience and expertise to help you. Contact the award-winning Team Pinto here, or book a free Zoom consultation to discuss your unique Waterloo Region real estate needs here