Jenny's Seller Nightmares and How To Prevent Them

“We have a problem.” is a phrase you never want to hear in a real estate transaction and when I hear it, even now, I get knots in my stomach. Since no two transactions are alike, it’s possible you could encounter a few bumps along the way. Some of these bumps may be uncontrollable but many are preventable when you have the right people and resources on your side. I’m getting candid about the 7 possible issues that sellers could face and more importantly, how to ensure they don’t happen to you!

Termites

Buyers typically get nervous when it comes to termites. In Georgia, termites happen but they do cause a buyer to pause. According to Northwest Exterminators, termites cause more damage to homes than water and fire combined. 

One of the worst cases we ever had was a buyer as part of the contract we requested a clearance letter and they found so many termites inside the walls! So many. 

Honestly, termites are fairly easy to remedy but when they are found it can kill your deal. 

One of the BEST ways to avoid this is to have a pre-inspection when you are listing your home.  This way, if there are any issues, you have time to remedy them prior to a buyer falling in love and then finding out termites are there.

Lender Totally Dropped the Ball

You know how not all real estate agents are created equal? I know some of you have told me, we picked your team because you answer the phone. It’s the same for lenders too. Some answer and some disappear  often. 

If you don’t research and just pick any lender out there, you might end up with a huge headache. I’d encourage you to ask your agent if they have worked with them before. 

Nothing is worse than finding your dream home, and staying totally frustrated the entire time. It sounds harsh (since this is their job) but lenders can drop the ball more than you’d think. Your realtor should be checking in with the lender and be facilitating clear communication to make sure every t is crossed and every i is dotted. 

Buyer was Pre-Qualified but NOT Pre-Approved

It is shockingly pretty easy for the majority of potential buyers to get pre-qualified since the screening process is not very in depth. Just because a buyer says they are pre-qualified and are out touring homes with an agent, does not mean they have actual buying power. A serious buyer needs to have a pre-approval commitment from a lender proving they will back the loan.

In this situation, your realtor can ask the buyer to get pre-approved with one of their trusted lenders to ensure that the offer they submit on your home is legitimate. If the buyer insists on using their own lender, be sure to only accept offers from buyers who have true pre-approval commitment letters.  

Buyer got Angry You Took…

You might think this one is a joke but it’s really not. The worst case I’ve seen is when a seller dug up the flagpole and left a pretty big hole in the yard. The buyer was not happy. The sellers disclosure is a very important document that will help sellers and buyers avoid misunderstandings. In the flag pole case, on the sellers disclosure, the seller disclosed he was NOT leaving it but the buyer had not really read it throughly. 

Fixtures such as chandeliers, blinds, some lights, appliances and yes, curtain rods are generally expected to remain in the home when the seller moves out. 

To prevent confusion, it’s a good idea to review the list of permanent fixtures with your agent when the offer is made. You can agree together what stays and what can be taken with you. If you are planning on taking your refrigerator etc. with you, at least be transparent with the buyer that they will need to purchase an appliance… or curtain rod.  

Unsatisfied with your Agent

Your agent can make or break your overall experience when selling your home. Using your friend’s cousin might sound like a great idea at the time, but it could ultimately lead to some serious regret. And hard feelings.

 Your home might sit on the market for a long time without interest or you might not get the full value of your home. The agent you choose to represent you and your home should be knowledgeable, likable and tech-savvy among other things. 

If you had a bad or even average experience with your last agent, we have full confidence we will exceed your expectations. We couple great service with cutting-edge digital technology to make your home stand out to potential buyers.  We use Facebook, email marketing and more to get your home SOLD!