Selling a property? Avoid these mistakes! Part 3.

There are more mistakes you can make when selling a flat than you think. Hence the next and, this time, final part of our article. There are still a few things that make a negative impression on buyers. So before you post an advert for the sale of your flat or house, read today's article to avoid mistakes that could make it harder for you to complete the transaction.

In the previous two parts of the article we presented the most serious mistakes made by property owners who want to sell their home. In this last part we will focus on subtle nuances that may not be crucial but can adversely affect how potential buyers perceive the property and, as a result, effectively put them off buying.

Prepare for the viewing

Before we show the flat or house to interested people, we should remember to clean it thoroughly, put away all personal belongings and avoid cooking just before the potential buyers arrive. Guests may react to cooking smells in different ways, so it is worth keeping things as neutral as possible in this respect. We should also make sure that no member of the household eats a meal during the viewing.

Remove traces of pets

If we have a pet, before the people who want to view the property arrive, it is worth getting rid of signs of the animal's presence. Not everyone likes animals; some are afraid of them or are allergic to fur. It is worth taking this into account when preparing the space. Put away pet beds, clean the cat litter tray and vacuum the flat thoroughly to get rid of the pet hair that gets everywhere. It is also a good idea for a member of the household to take the dog for a walk for the duration of the viewing. An animal may react in different ways to strangers in the home, and this will not necessarily encourage viewers to inspect the property closely. If the dog keeps barking, even shut in the bathroom, they will certainly want to leave the flat as soon as possible.

Mind the wardrobe

If we have a sliding-door wardrobe that will very likely stay in the flat for the new owners, it is worth showing off its advantages, for example its large capacity. Before we start demonstrating how functional the shelves and how practical the compartments in this type of wardrobe are, however, we should remember to tidy it first. Clothes strewn on the shelves and accessories thrown in anyhow will not reflect well on the owner, and may make viewers feel embarrassed. And that is the last impression we would want to make.

Unpleasant smells in the rooms

Thoroughly airing the rooms before the people who want to view the property arrive is a must. Unpleasant smells effectively put off potential buyers. What is more, this works on an unconscious level, meaning that viewers will have the impression that something about the flat did not suit them, but will not be able to say exactly what. It is worth protecting yourself against this and getting rid of any unwanted smells before the viewing.

Lack of courtesy on the part of the owner

Rude behaviour is unacceptable when selling a flat. After all, it is we, as owners, who should care the most, so we must realise that our behaviour significantly affects the likelihood of the transaction going through. So we should make sure the atmosphere during the meeting is pleasant, be polite and answer all questions kindly.

Refusing to negotiate

Negotiations when selling a property are practically the norm. Stubbornly sticking to your price will therefore be perceived unfavourably and may discourage the buyer from haggling. When setting the price, we should bear in mind that we will always have to lower it by a few thousand or even more than ten thousand PLN. Sometimes it is really worth doing so if we want a quick and efficient sale.