The 8 mistakes to avoid when selling your house! (The last one will shock you!)

INTRODUCTION 

Selling a house can be a stressful and complex experience, but by avoiding certain common mistakes, you can maximise your chances of success. In this article, we highlight 8 crucial mistakes you must avoid when selling your house, along with practical advice for every stage of the process. The last one is, of course, the most important! 

1. Overestimating or underestimating the value of your house

Failing to assess the value of your house correctly can prove problematic when you put your property on the market. Indeed, setting the price too high may discourage potential buyers, while setting it too low could cause you to lose money. 

To obtain an accurate valuation of your property, you can choose to use an estate agency. These professionals will be able to take your property's specific features into account and provide you with a realistic and, above all, objective valuation… 

You can also value your property using online valuation tools, but we advise you to be wary of the price range you receive, which is often very broad and of little use. If you nevertheless decide to use this type of tool, compare several sources.

Have you decided to sell and would you like to find out how much your property is worth? At J&J Properties, we offer to value your property free of charge and with no obligation! To ask one of our agents to value your property, complete this form: https ://www.jj-properties.be/fr/estimation-gratuite 

2. Neglecting to prepare the essential documents 

Most owners often underestimate the significant administrative workload involved in selling their property. However, preparing all your documents ensures a smooth, trouble-free sale!
Here are a few examples of important documents to keep close at hand: 

• PEB certificate
• Post-intervention file (DIU)
• Electrical compliance certificate
• Town-planning information

Feel free to download our guide to discover how to showcase and sell your property at the best price, as well as to obtain the complete checklist of documents to gather: https://ressources.jj-properties.be/lp-téléchargez-votre-guide-de-vente-immobilière

3. Failing to take account of seasonal trends in the Belgian property market

Certain times of year are more favourable for selling your property. We recommend putting it on the market in spring (March to June) or autumn (September to November). During these periods, there are more potential buyers and the property market is more active.

As you will have gathered, it may be wise to postpone putting your property on the market by a few weeks, or sometimes even a year, depending on the season and the prevailing economic and political climate.
Of course, this advice does not apply to every type of property. Feel free to contact us for more information on this subject.

4. Overlooking the presentation of your house 

A poorly presented house is a critical issue when creating your listing and, above all, during the first viewings. The first 90 seconds are crucial when viewing a property. You should therefore ensure that your house is clean, well maintained and presented at its best. 

We recommend that you: 

• Declutter the rooms by putting away unnecessary items—the ‘clutter’.
• Clean all surfaces (floors, windows, carpets, etc.) 
• Decorate your living spaces simply (stage the different rooms by creating functional and welcoming living areas).
• Switch on the lights, open the curtains and, if you are lucky enough to have an open fire, light it. Do not hesitate to place a small bouquet of flowers in a strategic spot…

5. Posting a poor-quality listing

When creating your listing, it is essential to present your property in the best possible light. A poorly written listing and/or poor-quality photos will almost certainly deter potential buyers! 

To take high-quality photos, make sure you: 

• Take your photos in landscape format;
• Frame your photos in a balanced way by applying the rule of thirds;
• Use a wide-angle lens to make your rooms appear more spacious;
• Enable the HDR function (if you are using a smartphone) or use your camera’s bracketing function, then merge your photos to achieve an HDR result; 
• Plan your photo shoot during the ‘golden hours’ or on an overcast day.

When writing your description, make sure you: 

• Keep it concise. Remember the three Cs: clear, short and concise. There is no need to write a novel…; 
• Create an emotional connection (use certain aspects of storytelling techniques);
• Use the active voice; 
• Avoid exaggerated superlatives; 
• Include a call to action (at the end of your description, invite readers to take action: ‘Not to be missed’, ‘Arrange a viewing today’); 
• Proofread your text and ask someone else to proofread it too.

By following these tips, you will improve your chances of creating a listing that tells an engaging story while highlighting your property’s unique features. 

6. Failing to showcase your property properly during viewings 

Indeed, many property owners completely mishandle their viewings. This is often due to a lack of objectivity and/or a poor presentation of the property’s strengths. 

Selling a property requires preparation. Follow our advice to conduct viewings effectively and offer potential buyers a memorable experience: 

• Lead the viewing! (Clearly explain how the viewing will proceed and guide visitors through each room in a structured manner). 
• Highlight the property’s strengths (while remaining neutral and objective, do not oversell your property).
• Remain objective. It is essential to present your property from a neutral perspective so that visitors can imagine themselves as its future owners. 
• Leave room for visitors’ imagination, even if you do not particularly agree with their ideas. It is a good thing when visitors can picture themselves living there.
• Answer questions accurately (if you do not know the answer, find out first and come back to them later with the information).
• Follow up after your viewings (answer questions, gather feedback and show that you are committed to supporting them throughout the buying process).

7. Refusing to negotiate or accept a reasonable offer

Refusing to negotiate can unnecessarily prolong the sales process and cause you to miss out on opportunities. Please note that we are not advising you to accept the first offer without careful consideration! However, depending on your circumstances, it can sometimes be worthwhile trying to reach a ‘win-win’ agreement to complete the sale.

We recommend that you: 

• Never reveal the price you are actually hoping to achieve; 
• Keep a negotiation margin ‘in mind’ when deciding on the asking price; 
• Be wary of sometimes misleading suspensive conditions; 
• Do not automatically reject the first offers on the grounds that you might always get a better one; these often turn out to be the best.

8. BONUS: not working with J&J Properties! 😉

The biggest ‘mistake’ you could make would be to sell your property without J&J’s help! 😉 

Working with J&J guarantees peace of mind, a personalised human experience focused on your needs, and results that exceed your expectations. So do not hesitate to request your free valuation and discover how J&J can relieve you of all the concerns involved in selling your property! Don’t want to follow this 8th tip and are determined to sell your property yourself? Download our free guide: 8 steps to selling your property without an estate agent. This guide will show you how to showcase your property and sell it quickly at the best price! After all, J&J may still have helped you a little.

CONCLUSION 

By avoiding these 8 crucial mistakes when selling your home, you will significantly increase your chances of success and of completing a hassle-free property transaction. Remember the importance of accurately valuing your property, carefully preparing the necessary documents, taking seasonal market trends into account, showcasing your property, creating a compelling listing, conducting viewings effectively and remaining flexible when negotiating offers. By following this practical advice, you will be well on your way to selling your property at the best price and on the best terms.

If you enjoyed this article, wait until you read our free guide, “8 steps to selling without an estate agent”, which is available now! Download it now to discover how to showcase your property and sell it at the best price! 

Click here → I WANT MY FREE GUIDE! ←