Selling a home in today's market is hard enough with the competition and also tyring to show value when the comps say otherwise. Here is a list provided by Realtor magazine as the top 10 mistakes that home owner's make.  In selling La Quinta Real Estate and golf course homes these mistakes are also common ones we encounter. I try to educate my sellers as I feel that it part of my job to do so .

1. Leftover home owners
By far, one of the top offenses cited by buyer’s agents was home owners still lingering around when agents arrived with clients to preview the home. Awkward encounters ranged from buyers finding sellers taking a shower, asleep in the bed, to even the “stalker sellers” who liked to follow buyers and the agent all over the home to see what they thought.

I also find that the "stalker seller" gives way too much information to the buyer. In fact one time when I was showing a house the "stalker seller" proceeded to tell my buyer about the ups and downs of the country club. needless to say my buyer couldn't exit quick enough.

2. Pets and their messes
Numerous agents also cited the not-so-friendly dog and kitty encounters as a top offense. Even pets left in a crate can pose a distraction since they might make noise the entire time others are in the house. Plus, if they seem mean, the buyer might not even step in the room.

I am the biggest pet lover in the world, but I strongly believe all pet supplies should be put up during showings as well as pets removed from the showing.

3. Bad smells
A displeasing smell can really turn buyers off. Common offenses include cooking smells lingering around the home, such as garlic, fried bacon, or fish. Also, watch for cigarette smoke and animal smells, agents say.
Sellers get immune to the smells, especially tobacco smell.  I once had a client that was preparing her house for sale and she had been a heavy smoker in the house. I got her to agree to hire Serv pro to treat the house for the odor. They did an amazing job charging over $2000. When the Serv Pro rep came to collect his money the lady came to the door smoking a cigarette. Some habits just cn;t be changed!

4. Critters running wild
Wild animals and pests roaming around is a surefire way to send buyers running. Agents described worms crawling on the floor and bats and raccoons lounging in the attic. “I showed a house in Utah once with a baby alligator/crocodile [in a cage] in the dining room,” Kristi Hutchings, ABR, SFR, with the Wendy K Team The Real Estate Group in Utah.

5. Odd home makeovers
Do-it-yourself disasters were also prevalent, like doors opening the wrong way or unprofessional paint jobs. Also, rooms not being used for their intended purposes can confuse buyers, such as an office being used as a bedroom even though it has no closet,

6. Dirt and clutter
There were a number of offenses cited when it came to cleanliness: Dirty laundry piles, unflushed toilets, dishes on the counter or in the sink, unmade beds, clothes scattered about, soiled carpets, dirty air conditioner filters, and overflowing trash cans.

“One of the worst things I have seen is piles and piles of clothes in every room,” It was like an obstacle trying to walk around the mess.”

7. Personal information left in plain sight
Sellers should be careful not to leave in plain sight important documents that may pique buyers’ curiosity. Some agents say they’ve seen personal information like bank and credit card statements—even mortgage payoff notices—left on the kitchen counter.

“Buyers are nosey,” “I’ve even seen the contract for the sellers’ next purchase sitting on the kitchen countertop or ‘final notice’ bills.”

8. Too dark
Dark or dimly lit houses aren’t showing the home in the best light.

“Particularly [homes lit with] CFL bulbs,” “By the time [the bulbs] light up, the buyer is gone.” Energy efficient bulbs need time to warm up before they are at their brightest, so staging professionals usually recommend agents arrive early to a showing to turn on any light fixtures with CFL bulbs at least 10 minutes prior.

9. Keys missing from lockboxes
All too often, agents arrive at a listing appointment with their client only to find there’s no key to get in.
Once I was told by a selling agent that the key would be left under the ceramic frog in the garden. After wading through a wet garden in my good shoes, the key was no where to be found. I was then told oh no I meant the ceramic rabbit! And I am sure the seller wondered why there house was not selling!

10. Distracting photos
Watch the photos displayed on the walls too, agents warn.
A seller needs to picture living  in the house not memories of the previous owner. I tell the seller to start packing in advance so they will be ready when a offer comes in.



The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix. I have 3 cardinal rules when I take a listing.
1) Deep clean the house including carpet and windows(if they refuse or can't afford it I will pay)
2) Ensure the landscaping looks good and is not overgrown or needs attention
3) The owner MUST leave the house during the showing with their pets. If it is not possible to remove the pets, I will get my assistant to contain them during the showing.
I also have 3 additional rules that I have to admit don't always happen.
1) Remove the Clutter. that is always a sensitive subject but it can make the difference in getting a quick sale for top dollar
2) Paint or touch up paint if needed
3) Recarpet if it is worn. Some people just can't overlook badly worn carpet even if there is a carpet allowance.