Possibly the Worst Mistake a Seller Can Make!

Maybe you've heard someone bragging that they sold their home "without ever putting it on the market." Some agents like to talk about their "off-market" listings. At first, that might sound impressive. The truth- it's almost always one of the worst mistakes a seller can make.

Sellers are enjoying one of the strongest real estate markets in modern times. Inventory is at historic lows and demand is very high. That's why desperate buyers are putting letters in prospective sellers' mailboxes. They're hoping for the chance to buy a house before it hits the market and avoid competing with other buyers. Crafty strategy for buyers- not so good for sellers. If you're approached by an agent claiming to have buyers interested in your home, just say no. They represent the buyer and don't have your best interests at heart.

Attracting as many buyers as possible is fundamental to selling your house at the highest price. It's the competition among buyers that pushes sales prices to the highest level. It's not uncommon for houses that are priced appropriately and marketed effectively to receive multiple offers and sell for more than asking price. Unfortunately, sellers that opt to negotiate with just one buyer never really know how much their house might have sold for in the open market.

Update 1/3/2022: The MLS stats are in for 2021 and Mike and Hayden's listings sold for an average of $18,000 over list price! Clear proof that great marketing makes a difference, and that selling without exposing your listing to the market is not in your best interest.