Seller Tip #1 Selling your home is a business decision

Inevitably almost everyone who purchases a home will sell a home. When that time comes for a homeowner, it needs to be a business decision not an emotional one. When buyiing a home, (unless it's simply an investment) most of us will be making plans of family dinners, backyard parties and making upgrades that suit our needs, this is the way it is supposed to be when buying your home. However, when it's time to sell it's no longer your home, it's a house, it's an asset that will allow you to make your next step in life. It's a means to an end. In my opinion this is why so many (over 75%) of those who try and sell there homes themselves fail. One of my favorite homes I ever listed, had everything going for it, it was priced right in a growing area etc. But it was one of the hardest homes to sell. Why? The homeowners continued to make upgrades while we were marketing the property, and insisted on being at the home while it was being shown by other Realtors. They would follow around the prospective buyers talking about their childrens rooms and plans for the backyard, talking about how close they were with the neighbors. The buyers immediately were looking at the home as the current owners property not their future home, they were never allowed to make mental plans of their own family dinners and backyard plans. Initially I thought this was a small set back, but more and more showings with no offers. This continued for almost a year eventually costing the sellers tens of thousands of dollars. I used to think of little sayings such as " Let the buyer take mental possession of the home" as nonsense, no longer. If your selling your home, and you have a showing, the best bet is to leave for the time the buyer is there. If it's inconvenient either go to the smallest bedroom, backyard or garage while the home is being shown, DO NOT FOLLOW THE BUYER AROUND!
If the prospective buyer has a question, make the answers short and sweet. If they ask about the backyard, have the survey ready to give them, condition of roof, have your sellers disclosure ready. Making upgrades or repairs to a home. Again this should be looked at as a business decision. Bottom line, everything in the home should work, no exceptions. Fogged window, replace it, dishwasher doesn't work, replace it, leaky faucet, tighten it. Look at it like a car, if you are going to sell your car for top dollar, all of the lights and blinkers should be working, otherwise your going to get a lower initial offer.
The bottom line again...
When you receive an offer, don't look at how much incentives the buyer is looking for or how much in repairs they want made. Look at the bottom line, remember this is a business transaction. So what if the buyer wants you to give them a painting allowance for the master bedroom. If the bottom line of your transaction is what you want, don't let things like this deter you. The bottom line of your sellers cost sheet should be all that matters when it comes to selling a home, and my making the sale of your home a business decision not an emotinal one, the bottom line should be the last word.