If you’re selling your home or contemplating doing so, there are some Columbia SC home selling issues to consider. While to ultimate goal of any real estate transaction is for complete satisfaction for every party involved – from the buyer to the agent to the seller to the lender – sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. What happens if – prior to the close of the sale – somebody gets cold feet, buyer’s remorse, or the seller has second thoughts? As the seller, how can you get out of the sales transaction without making too many waves? Can you?

More often than not, deals that progress to the contract stage usually close without a major hitch. However, sometimes there are Columbia SC home selling issues that can kill the deal or put a bad enough taste in the mouth of the seller that he changes his mind. And, you can back out of the transaction as long as you have the proper contract contingencies along with ample communication with your real estate agent – but you need to be vigilant and don’t wait too long.

One key to backing out of the contract is to work with an experienced real estate professional. Make sure you and your agent are both on the same page when it comes to issues like the sales price, closing date, contingencies and negotiable items such as who’s paying closing costs or other seller concessions.

By keeping the lines of communication open with your real estate agent and consulting with him or her during every part of the home selling process, sellers are more informed – and better equipped, perhaps – to anticipate items that may arise regarding their home and what prospective buyers may want to negotiate.

If you’re readying your house for the market, or if it’s early in the home-selling process, an open and honest discussion with your real estate professional may save you time and trouble. Sit down with your agent and explain that you’re not ready, you’re having second thoughts, or you want to put the process on the back burner temporarily. A good, experienced agent will usually be very receptive as to how you feel – honestly, nobody wants to go through the agony of trying to sell a home only to have the seller change his mind down the road. Bring up any Columbia SC home selling issues now and avoid the awkward and painful repercussions that may occur at a later date.

If you’re a little farther into the process or if you’ve already signed the contract to sell your home, backing out of that deal can be a little more involved, but not impossible. Let’s look at your best available options for escaping the contract without creating too much damage:

Issues with the Appraisal or Home Inspection
Normally, sales contracts carry with them a contingency whereby the prospective purchaser (as well as the mortgage lender) be satisfied with the appraisal of the home and the findings of the home inspection report. Depending on the results of either, further negotiations could result between the buyer and the seller.

In the current "seller's market" situation, it’s not unusual for an appraisal to come back lower than the agreed-upon sales price. In that case, additional negotiations and discussions must occur between each party to remedy the situation. Usually, its pretty simple: Either the seller agrees to lower his price or the buyer agrees to pay more money than what the appraisal was. Of course, a third alternative is that both parties walk away from the contract based on the contingency mentioned above.

The same situation can occur with a home inspection – another of the Columbia SC home selling issues that could arise threatening a deal to fall apart. If certain problems were discovered during the routine inspection, the buyer may be more concerned – especially if the seller isn’t willing to pay to make the necessary repairs prior to the closing of the sale. The end result is that both parties – again, due to the contingency – will agree to back out of the contract.

The “Kick-Out” Stipulation
As with the contingencies mentioned above, it’s also normal for a typical contract of sale to include a contingency that says if the potential buyer can’t sell his current home, he’s not obligated to close on the new home. Some contracts may also include a contingency whereby the seller finds a new home by a certain date to ensure he has a place to move. If either scenario doesn’t occur, then either party can exercise the “kick-out” clause in the contract – enabling them to back out of the contract based on the contingency not being met.

Back Out as Early as Possible
As soon as you are made aware of Columbia SC home selling issues that may trigger your desire to back out of the contract – act fast. Real estate experts say the worst thing you can do is wait. Typically, the buyer has more options when it comes to backing out of the contract than does the seller. When the seller wants to back out, the sooner he acts, the better off he will be. Waiting too long could mean you’re setting yourself up for a breach of contract – especially if there’s a third party involved who’s entered into a contract with the buyer or the seller for an additional purchase or sale.

See more articles pertaining to Columbia SC home selling issues in the two sections of articles on Columbia SC Home Selling Tips and Columbia SC Homes for Sale just below Columbia SC Real Estate Categories in the column to your right.

Remember, we also post tips daily on Twitter and Facebook. Check us out there, too.

If you’re planning to sell your home during 2017, there are several Columbia SC home selling recommendations you should be aware of. The following are common mistakes to avoid once you decide to put your home on the market.

Leaving out the required preparation. The excitement to get your home on the market as soon as possible is certainly understandable. The sooner you get it out there, the sooner you have a chance to sell. However, it’s important to take the necessary time to prepare your home for sale. So, the first of our Columbia SC home selling recommendations is to take the time and effort to plan what you'll need to do to get your home ready to put on the market.

The old adage, “You only get one chance to make a good first impression” is appropriate considering your house will be competing with a number of others on the market. As such, it's the time to put your home’s “best foot” forward. Performing repairs, repainting, decluttering, making landscaping improvements and staging the home are all potential moves you can make to position your home to show better – and sell faster. An experienced real estate professional can assist you by making recommendations in the following areas:

Cleaning up and decluttering your home.
A prospective buyer needs to envision himself and his family in your home. Make it easier for him by removing personal items and mementos, and decluttering various rooms, allowing him to better visualize his family’s belongings in the home, not yours.

Perform repairs and upgrades.
Take a critical look at your home. If there are painting needs, cracks or other unsightly areas needing attention, perform that work. It will make potential buyers notice how well the home has been maintained – likely implying that everything has been well cared for and in good shape.

Staging your home.
Home staging can be a vital tool in helping it sell. See an expert and discuss the cost versus the return on investment. Your real estate professional can assist here.

Have professional photos taken.
These days, more buyers than ever are doing their initial research online. It’s important you have professional photos to present in their online search. Again, the first impression is the one prospects will remember. Give them the best representation of your home by showing them great photos – and they’ll likely include it on their list to view in person.

Overpricing the home for the current market.
Among the list of Columbia SC home selling recommendations, this one of the most important. Pricing your home correctly is one of the biggest factors in whether it sells, and how fast. Conversely, overpricing your home for the market is one of the biggest and most deadly mistakes a seller can make. An overpriced home generally stays on the market considerably longer than necessary. The longer a home sits on the market, the less interest it'll receive from other buyers or agents. That usually results in low-ball offers.

We suggest two considerations to price your home correctly. First, review comparable sales in your market area. Look at what’s sold and where. Secondly, discuss your pricing ideas with a professional real estate agent to get their input and suggestions. Be objective – forget the emotional attachment to your home – you’ll rarely find a buyer willing to pay what your memories are worth, so don’t include their value in the sales price. Remember, your agent is the expert and they know what the market will bear – and what it won’t.

Being present for open houses and home-showings.
Again, as excited as you may be to show your home and be present when potential buyers visit, avoid the temptation. When the seller is in the same room with a prospect, it can actually be a deterrent for most purchasers. They may not ask the questions they really want to ask. It’s the same feeling many shoppers have when an overzealous sales clerk – who just wants to be helpful – follows you around in the store and actually is less help than he or she intends. Don’t be the anxious sales clerk. Let your agent handle the showings, the open houses and the walk throughs. If they need you, they can always call.

Failing to work with an experienced real estate professional.
As mentioned, working with a professional who knows the market and what sells your home quickest and best is a tremendous advantage. What’s more, working with an agent who knows the pitfalls of selling can save you time and money. An experienced real estate professional can help you every step of the way – from home preparation to pricing and marketing – it’s what they get paid for, and what they do best.

Interview prospective agents carefully. Ask questions about the homes they’ve sold and the total volume of sales. Be specific in asking questions about your particular home in your neighborhood to determine how familiar the agent is with what potential sellers are looking for. In addition, find a personal connection on which you can build. Make sure you and your agent can communicate, so you’ll be on the same page with one common goal in mind – to sell your home as quickly as possible and for as much money.

These are but a few Columbia SC home selling recommendations to consider, but if you take these into account we think it will make the sale of your home easier and more enjoyable.

See more articles pertaining to Columbia SC home selling recommendations in the two sections of articles on Columbia SC Home Selling Tips and Columbia SC Homes for Sale just below Columbia SC Real Estate Categories in the column to your right.

Remember, we also post tips daily on Twitter and Facebook. Check us out there, too.

Selling your home in winter can be one of the most successful Columbia SC home selling strategies you can employ. Recent data provided by Redfin confirms listing your home during the winter can actually mean a faster sale and a higher price. One main reason is there are fewer homes on the market during the winter months, because most sellers wait until the more popular spring and summer months to list.

Let's take a look at the Redfin data and see how it supports one of the best Columbia SC home selling strategies that can be utilized.

The Redfin information includes the percentage of homes that sell higher than the initial asking price and go under contract within the first 30 days. Interestingly, the findings show a higher percentage of offers above the asking price occur in winter than summer and fall. In addition, they are competitive with the more traditional spring home purchases. Furthermore, homes that sell in the winter don't stay on the market as long as homes in the summer and fall. A total of 46.2% don't last 30 days on the market, while only 23.7% of U.S. homes for sale are on the market during the winter months. This compares to 32.6% of homes for sale in the spring and 26.7% of homes for sale in the fall.

Conventional wisdom has always pushed the idea that winter was not a good time to list your home. However, that's not always the case. While there may be fewer homebuyers looking during that time of year, the ones that are in the market are serious. In addition, buyers looking in the winter often need to move, so they are usually less likely to make unrealistic offers and typically want to close the sale as quickly as possible. These two characteristics are attractive for any home seller.

As part of the Columbia SC home selling strategies employed by savvy sellers, winter or off-season purchasing can be advantageous. Since home shoppers may be fewer in the winter, homes on the market can often sit unsold longer. This makes for motivated sellers, which is good for a serious buyer.

While going against the grain in trying to sell a home in the winter is seen as a potentially good idea, it's not a no-brainer. There still are challenges that need to be overcome. One real estate professional shared her view on including winter selling among Columbia SC home selling strategies: "There are pros and cons to selling a home in the winter. There does tend to be less competition around the holidays, but it could work to the seller's advantage in that their property may have more interest than when the market is more saturated with other homes."

Another advantage in selling a home during the winter is that real estate agents usually have more time to give their clients, and may be more dedicated to selling a property than when they're consumed with having a number of listings competing for their attention.

As far as one of the best months to list your home, some experts say early January is key. The reason? Many sellers target the spring market as their starting period and plan accordingly. Buyers, however, seem to be much more ready and responsive to looking at home options well before the start of spring. As such, mid-January and early February listings seem to perform very well.

So, here's the proverbial bottom line when it comes to employing Columbia SC home selling strategies that include listing your home during the winter. If you need to sell your home in the winter don't let the cold temperatures prevent you from doing so. The perception may be that winter is a bad time to buy or sell a home but, of course, that is dependent upon where you live and how severe the winter weather is. In parts of the country that have milder winters or breaks in winter storm activity, listing your home then could be a smart move and a successful one.

An experienced real estate professional added this important caveat,”For most areas, although properties may not look as green and appealing as other times of year, that's not the whole picture. For both buyers and sellers, the competition is usually quite diminished, which can certainly work to your advantage. For buyers, less competition means they have a greater chance of getting the home they want without getting into a bidding war.”

As usual, the decision to sell your home comes down to your own personal choice. We recommend working with an experienced real estate agent who can guide you in the right direction should you choose to list your home in the winter. Providing the home buying market with winter inventory may just mean the difference between reaching a relatively captive audience and getting lost in the shuffle as other properties come on line in the more popular spring months. As a seller, you should ask yourself this question: “Am I better off showing my home to a smaller, more serious group of potential buyers during the winter when they are desirous of purchasing, or during the spring when both the supply of competitive homes as well as the demand of more buyers make for a more hectic marketplace?”

See more articles pertaining to Columbia SC home selling strategies in the two sections of articles on Columbia SC Home Selling Tips and Columbia SC Homes for Sale just below Columbia SC Real Estate Categories in the column to your right.

Remember, we also post tips daily on Twitter and Facebook. Check us out there, too.

Homeowners in the Columbia SC real estate market are often motivated by the merging of two age-old cliches:  “Jumping on the bandwagon” and “Strike while the iron is hot.” Homeowners thinking about selling a Columbia SC home have seen prices continuously climb during the last year as a result of a number of factors – most notably a higher demand created by a lower than usual supply of home inventory. However, one question homeowners should ask themselves if they're contemplating selling is, “Am I making the right decision.”  Yes, No, Maybe?

When thinking about selling a Columbia SC home, the market is comprised of many “ups and downs.” The “ups” are the higher prices many sellers can command for their homes. The “downs” are, again, the higher prices many sellers can command for their homes. Simply put, if you sell your home for top dollar you’ll probably have to pay top dollar for a new place to live, too. We suggest consulting with real estate professionals before you test the waters.

One of the biggest challenges in your individual housing market is the difficulty for the average homeowner to know whether or not it’s at its peak. If you base your decision to sell on the perception that other homes in your market are selling, it could give you a sense of urgency. That impulsive need to act quickly or “Strike while the iron is hot” may often be popular, but not always prudent. Let’s take a look at a few tips that may give you more insight if you're considering selling a Columbia SC home.

Long Term Considerations

Because real estate transactions are in large measure emotional investments, you should carefully assess the reasons you're contemplating selling. Is it purely for financial gain? If so, as mentioned above, will you end up paying more for your next home? Do you really want or need to sell? If not, consider making your home a rental property – especially if you’re thinking of downsizing. As an alternative, if you can afford it, you can give your home to your children – what a wonderful gift for a growing family! Just don't get caught up in a market feeding frenzy and allow it to push you into making a bad decision. Just because there may be an opportunity to sell your home, that doesn't mean it’s the best decision to make right now.

The Past is Just That – the Past

One thing to remember, perhaps above all else, is what worked before when it comes to selling a Columbia SC home, doesn’t necessarily work today. The homeownership playing field and the environment in which housing operates is vastly different to what it was just 20 years ago. With employment markets having been negatively impacted and wage growth relatively stalled, it’s often a challenge for prospective purchasers to afford their mortgage. The concept of being able to “grow into a mortgage” is foreign in today’s economic climate. That – combined with the additional challenge of saving for a down payment – is one reason “Millennials” aren’t buying homes in the numbers their predecessors once did. As a result, the homeownership rate in the U.S. is at the lowest level in over 50 years. So, if you do decide to sell, remember you may be in a neighborhood that would be ideal for first-time homebuyers  – but fewer, at least for now, are buying.

Don’t Rush Things

Take your time. Nothing or nobody should be able to unduly influence your decision to sell or not to sell. You likely didn’t rush into the transaction when you purchased your home, so there’s little need to rush to sell, either. Get the opinion and advice from different sources. Consult a real estate professional. Call your accountant, tax advisor or financial planner. They could be invaluable in providing information you may not have considered. Remember, because of their nature and the resulting “domino effect” they usually create, home sales aren't easily undone. So before you decide to sign the sales contract, take your time, be confident in your decision and don’t look back. If you have any hesitancy, take it as a sign you should step back and regroup. As with most things – especially emotional decisions like selling your home – let your conscience be your guide. Chances are, your instincts will tell you what’s best for you and your family.

Don’t Look Back

After you’ve given due consideration to these and other tips pertaining to selling a Columbia SC home and still decide you’re ready to sell, go for it. Shift into high gear, hire a sales professional, list your home at the most attractive price possible for a comfortable, manageable closing date – and don’t look back! As humans, we’re all guilty of second-guessing ourselves. However, if you’ve gone through the thought-provoking exercise, consulted with the right people, and feel selling is the best thing to do, you’ve done your due diligence. No second-guessing required. Own your decision and press forward.

The proverbial bottom line is this. A decision of this magnitude should be made by you and you alone. Others can provide their opinions, their expertise and their advice, but when the dust settles, you’re still the one who has to make the final decision. Once you feel confident in your research, information gathering, processing and mulling things over you may just find that the agonizing decision you wrestled with at one time now seems obvious – one way or the other.

See more articles pertaining to selling a Columbia SC home in the Columbia SC Home Selling Tips section of our site below Columbia SC Real Estate Categories in the column to your right.

Remember, we also post tips daily and would love it if you Follow us on Twitter and Find us on Facebook, too.

So, you entered the Columbia SC home selling market. And, so far your house is still unsold. There could be several reasons your home hasn't sold yet. Perhaps the economy isn't right for your prospective purchaser. Maybe your home doesn't have enough curb appeal. Maybe it's just plain bad luck that the right buyer hasn't seen your home yet. Whatever the reason – or excuse –, your home is still on the market. Let's take a look at five mistakes some homeowners make when they are selling their house.

The asking price is too high.

Naturally, everybody wants to sell their home for as much money as possible. However, if your home is not priced competitively and comparably to other homes in your neighborhood or market, you better be prepared for it to remain on the market for longer than you hoped.

Furthermore, unless you’re delusional and are expecting a multi-millionaire to pay cash without blinking an eye, most purchasers will need to obtain a mortgage loan. In that case, your home still needs to appraise at an amount sufficient enough for the lending institution to make the loan. Simply put, a lender won't approve a loan for, say, $300,000 on a house that’s appraised at $275,000. While it's certainly possible to find a buyer willing to pay cash, most smart buyers aren't going to overpay for a house. After all, they didn't get in a position to pay cash because they make poor investment decisions.

Your home contains too much of your personality.

Let's say you love rabbits. Throughout your home you've assembled a collection of rabbit knick-knacks from all over the country. Ceramic rabbits, brass rabbits, wooden rabbits – everywhere you and your prospective purchasers look. You see cuddly, cute bunnies. You buyers see rodents that are a nuisance and steal food from bird feeders. Say your husband is an avid hunter who proudly displays his deer and duck mounts on the den wall – six of them at last count. What he may see as the results of successful hunts, some buyers – especially females – may not be able to relate to. They see poor, defenseless, dead animals. In either instance, it's not likely your home will get a second visit, Pack up the rabbit statuettes and store the hunting trophies. And get them out of sight.

All too often, homeowners make this mistake in the Columbia SC home selling market by not removing the clutter, photos and memorabilia from their homes as they should. Remember, a prospective buyer wants to be able to picture themselves and their belongings in the house, not those of the current owner

Do not conduct tours of your home. 

Most real estate agents agree – conducting a home tour is a job best left to the professionals in the Columbia SC home selling market. The reason? Simply because most buyers are very uncomfortable when the seller is present for a home showing. Prospective purchasers don't feel relaxed or able to freely explore the house if the owner is there. As one real estate agent put it, it's similar to shopping in a retail store where an over-enthusiastic sales clerk follows your every move. If that's ever happened to you, you probably didn't stay in the store very long. Moreover, you probably didn't return –  much less buy anything. Leave the home tour to the professionals. Allow them to give the prospective buyers enough time to take a thorough look at your home without you looking over their shoulders.

Do not let your pets take over your house. 

This can be challenging, at best. If you're a pet lover, no doubt you feel like your pet is part of the family and belongs in your house. However, your goal is to sell your home as quickly as possible. The experts recommend finding a temporary place for your pet while you're trying to sell. It's also a good idea to do whatever is necessary to make prospective buyers forget that you even own a pet. In other words, when you clean your home of your clutter, don't forget about your pet’s clutter too. That includes dog beds, litter boxes, various chew toys, scratching posts and other pet reminders. Keep in mind that buyers may recognize pet odors that you have become used to. Those odors can be a huge turn off – especially to buyers who don't have or don't want pets.

Restricting or limiting when buyers can see your home.

Until your home sells, your job is to try to sell your home to anyone willing to pay the asking price, or as close to it as possible. If you're serious about selling, you'll want to make it as easy as you can for potential buyers to visit and view your home. Most real estate agents agree that putting restrictions or time constraints for when prospective buyers can visit is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in the Columbia SC home selling market.

While it can certainly be an inconvenience – even an invasion of privacy – remember, you're in the business of selling your home. As such, it’s incumbent upon you as a serious seller to be prepared to make your home available for a showing whenever possible. You never know when the right buyer will come along, so be prepared. Again, your goal is to sell your home. Be willing to make time and convenience concessions if requested – that's considerably cheaper than making huge reductions on the selling price!

See more articles pertaining to selling a home in Columbia SC in the Columbia SC Home Selling Tips section of our site below Columbia SC Real Estate Categories in the column to your right.

Remember, we also post tips daily and would love it if you Follow us on Twitter and Find us on Facebook too.