9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (2024)

Spring is the best time to sell.

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (1)

Traditionally, real estate sales have peaked inspring, making it the optimal time to sell. The popularity of spring home sales once had a lot to do with buyers wanting to time a move around the kids' school schedules. Today's buyers are different, though. Many of them do not have children in school and so they're less likely to wait for spring to make a move. In this new market, a savvy seller knows that a house is more likely to sell fast when inventory is low, as in the cold months from November through January.


Related:9 Mistakes Not to Make When Selling Your Home

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“For Sale by Owner” saves you money.

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (2)

Most prospective sellers already know that by hiring a real estate agent, they will be losing part of the sale price to the agent's commission. Some consider it money well spent, while many other homeowners believe they can save that money by selling on their own. That might not be the case: A home sold by owner typically sells for 15 percent less than homes soldthrough a realtor. Factor in the time taken off work to show the house, marketing costs, and legal forms necessary to seal the deal, and working with a realtor starts looking like a pretty good deal.


Related:Find the Right Realtor—9 Tips from Happy Homeowners

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You must renovate the kitchen to attract buyers.

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (3)

You've heard it before: Kitchens sell houses. But if you're about to do a full remodel in the hopes of selling yours, think again. If you opt for a full kitchen renovation just before selling, statistics show you’ll only recoup 84% of the costs. So instead of enduring the dust, drama, and cost of a complete overhaul, give your kitchen a minor facelift for a fraction of the cost. Upgrade your old appliances to energy efficient models, reface your cabinet doors, and replace the hardware. These small changes will give your old kitchen a like-new appearance that will help it sell.

Related:7 Kitchen Trends You Might Regret

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If you don’t want to make repairs, lower your price.

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (4)

Buyers are looking for their new home, not their next DIY project. A house that needs too much work might not receive any offers at all, even with a lower price. That's not to say that a house must be in perfect condition to sell, butcostly fixes such as a sagging roof or leaky plumbing should take priority. Once the big problems are resolved, it’s amazing what a good cleaning, a fresh coat of paint, and adequate lighting can do to put a house in the best light.


Related:9 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Fixer-Upper

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Take the first offer; it’s always the best.

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (5)

In some instances the first offer may be the best, but don’t count on it. That's doubly true if you live in hot market where quality listings spur multiple offers. Under different circ*mstances, budget-conscious buyers may want to test the seller’s willingness to negotiate. If you’re presented with a low-ball offer, make a counter offer just shy of the original asking price to begin reasonable negotiations to determine the level of buyer interest.


Related:12 Reasons Why Your House Isn't Selling

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Open houses sell homes.

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (6)

A common real estate myth is that open houses are an effective way to sell homes. Not true. According to the National Association of Realtors, only 2% of homes are sold as a result of this marketing method. The real truth is that open houses are a great way for realtors to secure new clients, which has a lot to do with their popularity.


Related:6 Tempting Upgrades That Smart Homeowners Avoid

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Price your home high so there’s room to negotiate.

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Correctly pricing a home is important if you’re a serious seller. Thanks to listing information available on the internet, todays buyers know if a home is overpriced and will pass on your property if it isn’t in sync with comparable homes. A house that sits on the market past the critical 3- to 4-week mark risks stigmatization and guarantees frustration for agents, buyers, and sellers.


Related:Brokers Reveal 7 "Works Every Time" Ways to Boost Home Resale Value

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Paint Hides a Multitude of Problems

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (8)

Sorry to say, but paint is no match for serious problems such as mold damage, dry rot, and insect infestation. Covering up serious issues with a coat of your favorite color violates disclosure laws, leaving you vulnerable for liabilities post sale. So, a little color is no way to overcome real concerns. The best course of action is to fix the issues before listing your property for sale.


Related:8 Exterior Paint Colors to Help Sell Your House

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Inside Enhancements Trump Outside Improvements Every Time

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (9)

What's on the inside counts, but that doesn't change the importance of a good first impression. In order for prospective buyers to fall in love with a house at first sight,curb appeal is needs to be a priority. Buyers decide if they’re interested or not within the first 30 seconds of pulling up in your driveway, whether or not you've renovated the interior. So, when it comes to home improvements, start with the outside and work your way in.


Related:Curb Appeal to Steal from 12 Hollywood Homes

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9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely (2024)

FAQs

9 Age-Old Real Estate Tips to Ignore Completely? ›

Money, or lack of it, is another main reason why real estate agents fail. Agents often make the mistake of hearing how much commission other agents make and think they're raking it in. But they don't consider their expenses, such as brokerage or team splits, taxes, education, marketing, and lead generation expenses.

Why do most real estate agents quit after 5 years? ›

Money, or lack of it, is another main reason why real estate agents fail. Agents often make the mistake of hearing how much commission other agents make and think they're raking it in. But they don't consider their expenses, such as brokerage or team splits, taxes, education, marketing, and lead generation expenses.

What is the hardest thing about being a real estate agent? ›

1. Uncertainty about real estate market. This is perhaps one of the biggest uncertainties realtors have to deal with on a daily basis. Every realtor is worried about not being able to sell their properties and how it will affect his or her commissions at the end of the month.

How many realtors fail? ›

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the real estate failure rate is between 43% and 54%. However, common statistics state that 87% of real estate agents fail within five years.

Why do most real estate agents fail? ›

Key Takeaways: Most real estate agents fail in their first year, according to research. Three common mistakes that agents make is inadequate prospecting, failing to market properties in ways that lead to fast sales, and not following up with clients.

What percent of realtors become millionaires? ›

California: 44% New York State: 24% Florida: 7% Massachusetts: 6%

What scares realtors the most? ›

1) Fear of rejection.

This is often the first thing to come to mind when realtors are asked to share their biggest fear, especially for those agents who are new to the industry. It's a scary thing to put yourself out there—to go door-knocking or cold-calling.

What are buzz words in real estate? ›

100 Real Estate Words That Sell
  • alluring.
  • architecture / architectural.
  • attention-to-detail.
  • beamed ceilings (wood)
  • beautiful.
  • brand new.
  • breathtaking.
  • bright.

Why do real estate agents have a bad reputation? ›

The lack of experience among some realtors contributes significantly to the negative reputation. Clients who encounter agents with limited expertise might face inadequate guidance, incorrect information, and ineffective negotiation skills. This lack of proficiency tarnishes the overall perception of the profession.

Is 40 too late to invest in real estate? ›

In conclusion, it's never too late to start investing in real estate. Regardless of your age or stage in life, real estate investing can provide you or your business with opportunities for financial growth and security. So why wait? Take the first step towards securing your financial future today.

What are the real estate principles? ›

The Real Estate Principles course provides an in-depth overview of fundamental real estate concepts from agency relationships through closing procedures. The course describes the functions of the California Department of Real Estate (CA DRE) as it pertains to getting, renewing, and maintaining a real estate license.

How much do real estate agents make in California per sale? ›

First is the total commission paid by the seller. In California, it ranges anywhere from 1-6% of the sales price. The standard is 5-6%, but for high-priced properties (i.e. $1+ million) the commission may be more like 4-5%. The amount is negotiated between the seller and listing agent before a contract is signed.

What state is the hardest to be a realtor? ›

Some states present more hurdles than others due to high living standards, low average salaries, strict licensing barriers, or depressed home values. The worst states to be a real estate agent include Hawaii, California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida.

How many houses do most realtors sell a year? ›

According to NAR, the average Realtor completes a median of 12 residential transactions annually. However, it's important to keep in mind that this doesn't necessarily indicate how many houses the average Realtor sells. A completed transaction can mean the agent assisted on either the buyer's or seller's side.

How stressful is being a realtor? ›

The emotional toll of selling homes is especially stressful because agents often have no control over their workload and schedule–they're at the mercy of their clients' needs and demands. When asked about the most challenging aspect of being an agent, one said “the constantly changing situations of each deal.”

Why do people quit being a real estate agent? ›

Some common reasons include: Closing deals takes a while, which means getting paid takes a while. The reality of what real estate agents do doesn't line up with your expectations. Changing market conditions means your old sales tactics are no longer working like they used to.

How long do most new real estate agents last? ›

Freedom Trail Realty School, Inc. No one goes into real estate to fail. In fact, most agents start off with the goal of turning their new real estate business into a lifelong career. But the reality is that many new agents call it quits within their first year.

Why do people quit being realtors? ›

Having false expectations in real estate can be catastrophic. It is the number one reason why people quit the business. It is important to keep a goal mindset and to get rid of any expectations you may have.

What percent of realtors quit in the first year? ›

But here are some highlights: According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) failure is defined as as those who get a real estate license and then leave the industry within the first five years. According to them, 75% of real estate agents fail within the first year, and 87% fail within five years.

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