Luis Cano's Monterey County Real Estate Blog

MISTAKE NO. 8 … Not having a home inspection.

HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT… Trying to save money today can end up costing you tomorrow. A qualified home inspector will detect issues that many buyers can overlook.

Putting your home on the market isn’t as simple as placing a FOR SALE sign in your yard… Here’s the good news…there are several steps to take prior to listing your home that will make the transaction smoother and quicker.

STEP FIVE… Price it right. The original asking price of your home has a huge impact on the ultimate sales price. If you price it too high, buyers will look for better values and your home will remain on the market longer. The longer your home is on the market, the less desirable it becomes to buyers—even if you eventually lower your asking price—because most buyers will avoid a home that others are avoiding. Conversely, pricing your home too low may result in a quicker transaction but will yield you less money in the end.

Related articles

• The five biggest mistakes home sellers make (theglobeandmail.com)
• Don’t Get Carried Away Fixing a Home You’re Going to Sell (homeloans.org)
• Average Cost of a Real Estate Agent (brighthub.com)
• Tax Aspects of Home Ownership: Selling a Home (turbotax.intuit.com)

MISTAKE NO. 3  Not knowing the cost involved.

 HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT  …  Early in the buying process, ask your real estate agent or mortgage representative for an estimate of closing costs. Title insurance and lawyer fees should be considered. Pre-pay responsibilities such as homeowner’s association fees and insurance must also be taken into account.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Remember to examine your settlement statement prior to closing.

There are several steps to take prior to listing your home that will make the transaction smoother and quicker.

STEP TWO…  Get your home inspected. You are required to disclose any problems with your property to prospective buyers. Failure to do so will lead to further complications, even if you weren’t aware of the flaws ahead of time. Hire a professional inspector to identify and document any problems with your property. Also, make sure your home has a clean bill of health from termites.