Loren Johnson, CMPS

Thank you to everyone who commented on part 1 of my listing of 10 common mistakes Home-sellers make. I enjoyed the feedback, and hope you may have found some of the tips helpful. However, I promised 10 tips, and only listed 5 yesterday...so, in conclusion........

6.) Market Timing vs. Seasonal Selling. Just as a broker continually follows the trends of a stock, your consultants continually follow the market trends involved in home sales & home financing. Your professionals will know if the market cycle is poised to net you the most money. Many people believe that property will always sell better in the spring than in the winter. This doesn't always ring true. Disregard the belief that property sales are seasonal, because selling property really relates to selling with then right exposure and knowing current market trends.

7.) Refusing to make cosmetic changes.The prospective home buyer's first impression is the most important one. An incredible number of home sales have been lost to unkempt lawns, cluttered rooms, bad stains, and unpleasant odors. These all seem to be rather small things to think about, but you hasve to imaging you're the buyer looking at the home, from top to bottom, military style.

8.) Don't test the market! Never put your property on the line to sell unless you are serious. The right professional will find you buyers, and if you are harboring indecision, you will be the one who blows the sale.

9.) Believing you are powerless to make a difference. Be a part of the team! Take an active role in doing what you can to facilitate the sale of your home. Networking with your peers and professional associates can often result in the sale of your home! It's suprising how many are sold that way.

10.) Believing all Mortgage Professionals are the same. With all of the intricate detail and decisions involved with selling your home, should you rely on anyone but a top producing professional? With all of the questions involving down-payment assistance from the state, with closing cost assistance, with Government and other programs available, you want to align yourself with a knowledgeable and trustworthy mortgage professional.

There you have them, 10 mistakes that many home sellers may make. However, now that you've read these, yopu won't fall into that large group, right???

Good luck, and please contact me with any questions!

Selling yourhome can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk-throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustments and the concern of being 'stuck' with two mortgages to pay at one time are real concerns. If you are not completely prepared, you could end up osing hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.

The difference between a profitable, smooth home transaction and a break-even one is a miserable experience and often seperated by a thin line. In the majority of cases, it comes down to the know-how of the professionals you work with. By utilizing the knowledge of a qualified Realtor and Mortgage Professional, you'll ensure a quick, profitable sale of your home. The following has been written to arm you with the knowledge to avoid common mistakes that cost sellers serious money.

1.) Refusing to make profit-inducing repairs. It always costs you more money to sell "as-is" than it does to make repairs that will increase the value of your home. Often, the minor improvements will yield as much as 3 to 5 times the repair cost at the time of the sale. Your agent will be able to point out what repairs will significantly increase the value of your home. Seemingly small fix-up jobs can have a huge impact!

2.) Provide easy access for showings.Accessibility is a major key to profitability. Appointment-only showings are the most restrictive, while a lock box is the least. However, there are certain considerations to take into account. Your lifestyle, time frame for the desired sale, and the relationship with your Realtor all factor into the equation. The more accessible your home is for potential buyers to see, the better the odds are of finding a person to pay the price you're asking for the home. You never know if the one who couldn't get a viewing was the "one that got away"! By having a tool that alerts you to an interested prospect, you will be able to provide a comfortable time to view the home.

3.) Priced too low or Priced too high. It really is important to find the right professional to work with to ensure your property is priced appropriately for a timely and profitable sale. If your property is priced too high, it will sit and develop the identity of a "problem property" in your marketplace. If it's priced too low, it will cost you considerable profits. The market has subtle nuances and market changes that should be evaluated by the professional that is marketing your home, and communicated back to all interested potential buyers when important changes occur.

4.) Relying solely on Traditional Methods to sell your home. The prospect today wants up-front information about the home they are considering to purchase. After all, this is one of the most important purchases they will ever make in their life. As the seller, you should demand around-the-clock advertising exposure, innovative lead generation methods, and lead accountability and follow-up. These services exist and should be offered to you to assist you in selling your home.

5.) Wasting time with an unqualified prospect. Be sure to align yourself with a mortgage professional that will eliminate the possibility of negotiating with potential buyers who are simply not qualified to make the purchase. All potential buyers should be screened before valuable time is lost.

I'll be back tomorrow with my other 5 "potential mistakes that sellers make". Have a great day!