There's More to Selling Your Home than a "For Sale" Sign In Your Front Yard: Beware. 

Even if a simple sign in your yard did produce a buyer knocking on your door, how will you handle the following questions: 

"How does your home compare to others like it in Wentzville, O'Fallon and St. Charles County?" 

"How did you determine the fair market value of this property?" 

"What about financing? Can you help?" 

"If I make an offer, who will draw up the paperwork?" 

"Why aren't you using a real estate agent? Is there something wrong with the property?" 

"Since you aren't using a real estate agent, we can take their fee right off the top, right?" 

Selling your home is one of the most important financial transactions you will make in your life. Don't take risks. Selling your home is nothing like selling a car. Every home is different, and every homebuyer wants to offer you as little as possible. How do you determine the real market value? 

Almost all homes are sold using a real estate agent. As a top real estate professional, it is my job to help you negotiate with all those buyers who want something for nothing. Not to mention preparing your home for sale, marketing it locally in Wentzville, O'Fallon and St. Charles County and even nationally, and guiding you through the complex paperwork and pitfalls of escrow and closing. Make sure you are really ready to handle all of that before pounding that sign into your front yard. Errors can be extremely costly. 

Remember: Buyers want to offer you as close to nothing as possible! While that "For Sale By Owner" sign might sound like a good idea, it usually means a different thing to buyers: "Try to steal this one." 

If you must sell your own home, at least let me give you a sense of its true market value. Tell me a bit about your home, and I'll do a quick Comparative Market Analysis and let you know what I feel it is worth. I'll also describe, as an experienced, top Wentzville, O'Fallon and St. Charles County real estate agent, how I would market your property. This is free, with no strings attached. 

Don't price your home by yourself! It's my job to analyze the Wentzville, O'Fallon and St. Charles County market and determine the true value of your property. It's FREE and without obligation... 

10 MOST DEADLY MISTAKES YOU CAN MAKE WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME! 

1. Incorrectly Pricing your home.
Every seller wants to net as much money as possible when selling their home. Unfortunately, a listing price that is too high often gets the seller less than a listing priced at market value. If your house is not priced competitively, people looking in your price range will reject your house in favor of other larger homes for the same price. 

At the same time, the people who should be looking at your house will not see it because it is priced over their heads. Overpricing usually increases the time on the market and that adds to the seller's carrying costs. Ulitmately, many overpriced properties sell below market value. 

2. Failing to "Showcase" your home.
Buyers are looking for homes, not houses, and they buy the home in which they would like to live. They buy emotionally and then back up that emotional decision logically. 

Owners who fail to make necessary repairs and don't spruce up the house inside and out, touch up the paint and landscaping and keep it neat and clean, chase buyers away as rapidly as Realtors can bring them. 

3. Staying at home during a showing.
As I said above, buying a house is an emotional decision. People like to "try on" a house and see if it is comfortable for them. This is difficult for buyers to do if you are present ad even harder if you follow them around, pointing out every improvement you have made. 

It will probably have the opposite effect you want. They may feel uncomfortable because they are intruding on your private space rather than making them feel at home. The best strategy is to leave the house when a prospective buyer is scheduled. Once you have prepared your house for showing, let your house do the job. 

4. Mistaking "Lookers" for Buyers.
Folks who try to sell their home themselves always get more activity than houses listed with an agent... no question about it. Realtors will only bring qualified buyers and these will be fewer than if you open your front door to everyone who walks down the street. 

Fully 96% of the responses you receive on ads and open houses are not bona fide buyers(these statistics come from the National Association of Realtors). Seventy percent(70%) have a house to sell first, 18% live in the neighborhood and are interested in the value of their home and 8% are just looking for decorating ideas. 

That means only 4 calls out of 100 are buyers that are ready and able to buy a home. These 4 prospects will look at an average of 18-23 homes before they buy. 

Agents make sure to pre-qualify buyers before bringing them to your home. As your listing agent, I will make sure that every offer is backed by the buyer being qualified before I would even advise you to consider it. 

5. Not knowing your rights and obligations.
Real estate is extensive and complex. A Purchase Agreement is a legally binding contract. If improperly written, the contract can cause the sale to fall through or cost you thousands of dollars for repairs, inspections, taxes and remedies for items included or excluded in the offer. You must be certain of which repairs and closing costs you are responsible for. 

You also need to know if the property can legally be sold "as is" and how deed restrictions and local zoning will affect the transaction. If there are defects in your title or your property is in conflict with local restriction you need to have a specialist to help you. Of course that is where I can come in! 

6. Signing a listing contract with no way out.
I always guarantee that if you are not 100% completely satisfied with my services, you may terminate your contract with me. After all, I work on referrals and I always want my clients to be completely satisfied. 

7. Limiting the Marketing and Exposure of Your Property.
Open houses are very ineffective. Surprisingly, less than 1% of all homes sold are sold at an open house. I can show you my marketing plan and show you what is very effective to sell your home. I have the tools, contacts and internet presence that "Gets the Job Done". 

8. Believing that a Bank Appraisal is the real Market Value.
An appraisal is and opinion of value that is used for a particular purpose. If a lender wants to lend you money(say a 2nd mortgage to refinance), they may be motivated to make the appraisal come in high. The appraiser may ignore foreclosure, distress sales or highly motivated sellers in order to justify a higher price. Unfortunately, a real buyer in the real world will not ignore these properties. These properties will, in fact be your competition. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the value you were given 6 months ago when you refinanced is what a real buyer would pay. The value of your home must be determined by what comparable houses in your neighborhood have sold for. Look at all the SOLDS in the area an then decide. 

9. Not Getting Performance Guarantees from the Realtor you choose.
I will give you a satisfaction guarantee. I will not hold you to any listing if your are not completely satisfied. I work hard to make sure you won't be disappointed! 

10. Choosing the wrong Realtor.
It is likely that you don't interview people very often but, in order to find the right agent you may interview several. The quality of your home selling experience is dependent upon you selecting the person best qualified. Getting an experience, competent agent with your best interests in mind generally cost the same as hiring someone who is inexperiensed. Bringing that experience to bear your transaction could mean a higher price at the negotiating table and selling in less time with minimum headaches. 

I am a very experienced, succesfull agent who works full time and more to make sure every part of your home selling experience goes as smooth as possible. Please check out my testimonials and what past clients say!