How to Sell Your Home | The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make

Are you ready to sell your home, but you aren't quite sure where to start? Don't make these mistakes. In my video, you are going to learn the five most important things that you need to know in order to sell your home fast and for more money!

Navigating the home-selling journey in the bustling Chicago North Shore—from Northbrook to Lake Forest—demands savvy, especially if you're aiming for a transaction as smooth as Lake Michigan on a calm day. Here's the lowdown on the major no-nos to dodge, ensuring your home not only gets listed but leaves the market with a 'Sold' sign out front:

Spot-on Pricing is Key:
Getting the price just right is more art than science. In a savvy buyer's world, where the likes of Glenview and Winnetka enthusiasts are clued up on the real estate market thanks to digital data at their fingertips, overpricing is a surefire way to get passed over. Work with the best North Shore real estate agent to hit that pricing sweet spot.

Don't Overlook the Small Fixes:
Those tiny quirks you've lived with—like a squeaky hinge or a finicky window—can stick out to prospective buyers touring your Highland Park or Deerfield home. A thorough walkthrough with a buyer’s eye can help pinpoint and polish up those minor but mighty issues.

Declutter Your Emotions (and Your Space):
Your home is a treasure trove of memories, but when it's time to sell, creating a blank canvas is crucial. Clearing out personal memorabilia allows buyers in places like Wilmette and Glencoe to picture their own futures in the space.

Market Like a Pro:
In today’s fast-paced, image-driven housing market, presenting your property with flair across online platforms is non-negotiable. Enlist a real estate agent who's not only a North Shore Chicago expert but also a marketing maestro, ensuring your home shines brighter than the rest.

Be Show-ready at All Times:
Yes, last-minute showings can be a hassle, but they're also golden opportunities to clinch that deal. From Northshore Chicago to the best suburbs in Chicago, making your home accessible and inviting at a moment's notice can make all the difference. Keep it well-lit and welcoming to leave a lasting, positive impression.

Embarking on the home-selling voyage with Kati Spaniak, your guide to Chicago North Shore real estate, means you're backed by the best north shore realtor, ready to navigate every twist and turn of the real estate market. By steering clear of these common slip-ups, you're setting the stage for a successful, stress-free sale.

For more insider tips on listing a home, selling your property, and everything in between, make sure to hit subscribe. Together, let's make your home sale in Northbrook, Glenview, or any cherished North Shore locale, as rewarding as possible.

❓ SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS❓ to Kati to answer in a Live Stream or video!

Looking for more videos of Kati's?
Every Seller's WORST Nightmare - Sued for $10,000 Without Even Closing

Turning a 'Fixer-Upper' into a 'Market-Winner' (No Updates Needed!)

Avoid These Costly Updates When Selling Your Home: What Really Pays Off

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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:17 Overpricing
01:08 Neglecting Repairs
02:54 Too Many Emotional Items
03:53 Poor Marketing
06:04 Allowing Showings

Hey, Kati Spaniak here, I’m a top Chicago North Shore Real Estate Agent. Thanks for watching my channel your ultimate guide to selling and buying homes in the Chicagoland area. Specializing in the vibrant communities of Northbrook, Glenview, Northfield, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest and Deerfield. I offer expert advice and insider tips to navigate the North Shore Chicago real estate market with ease.

Whether you're looking to sell your property for the best price or buy your dream home, my channel provides comprehensive support, market insights, and personalized services to meet all your real estate needs. Stay tuned for our latest success stories and invaluable advice from one of the top Realtors on the North Shore of Chicago, ensuring you make informed decisions in this dynamic market.

Subscribe for the latest updates and reach out for a personalized consultation to start your journey in the North Shore Chicago real estate market today!

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Kati Spaniak | Team Leader & Broker

[karenpowers]

Just replaced my doorbell. Not sure if I like the replacement though becauseit glows more than I realized, but still better than the broken one. I think the mold that is seen horrifies because it makes buyers wonder about mold behind the walls and in the hvac system. I agree about the collections and the rugs being a bother to seeing the potential of the house. Thank you for all of these great tips!!! 👍

[Theinsomniac]

I got my house at a discount because the seller forgot about the basement bathroom. It was listed wrong. It's a 3 bathroom and not a 2 bathroom. Also it's one of the biggest lots in the zipcode! They didn't charge for that. I love this big piece of land so much.

[amanacatandhisdog]

Great vid and advice. What is your opinion on open houses. We seem to have a fair amount here but I don’t believe they are very effective as I see few pending afterwards.

[j.m.]

Kati, I love the way you cut to the chase! I have purchased and sold 5 houses over the past 35 years with a Realtor who shares your positions. All purchases and sales have been excellent experiences. I urge potential sellers and buyers to heed your advice. Keep up the fantastic work.

[cswan]

Yep preparing my home to put up for sale and just got a new doorbell. Less than $10.00 at Lowe’s! Thanks!

[debraenston]

Thank-you! We are just on the market and I am already overwhelmed. So your firm but clear advice is so helpful. Do you have a video for anyone showing their home? I don't know if I am on the right track as agents are not showing- just me! Not sure what to say or not say! Kind regards from England!

[marlawegrzyn]

I would love to see a video on manufactured homes. What to update? I know they don’t have the same value but we want to get the best price we can

[MLR-jwem]

I have a crystal clear fish tank is that a good one

[jimcandykollath]

Excellent ideas - thank you for sharing your experience

[kaystinebrink]

I'm still working on my husband to follow your suggestions. When you haven't sold a home for 40 years and your husband doesn't think anyone really takes HGTV seriously, it is a uphill battle. Our next discussion concerns removing a older, white refrigerator and listing the house without a refrigerator. The rest of the appliances are stainless steel. He won't buy a new refrigerator and thinks a working refrigerator is better than no refrigerator. Thanks for listening Kati.

[reginayanito]

We removed our doorbell for a ring doorbell? Does that count?

[jeanniestaller]

I am a detail person but my husband is not. I ask him to fix certain things and they sit for years. Some things I just am unqualified to do myself. My biggest "weapon" to get him motivated is to tell him I'm going to hire someone to do it. Money is motivating so he will do it himself before letting me hire someone.

[milonovacek]

i got a out housr for sale maby you csn tell me what color to paint you can get some huge commission

[Archangels_Warrior]

I find it hard to believe that your answer to everything is "Paint It". Recommending painting 125 year old original Victorian woodwork? Really? Or painting beautiful hardwood kitchen cabinets that the professional cabinet maker stained and put in? Really? Why ruin original antiques just to "Fake out" buyers? Most folks have no appreciation for originality and antiques. As for your floors in your house - It is impossible to see if the tile was bad in pictures. It looked fine to me, but I would have to be there to see it so I can't state an opinion on that. I am wondering if a Victorian home to you is an anathema, or mid-century modern? Sure, mechanical's need updating, but maintaining originality or just perhaps refinishing when needed is better than gutting or painting over beauty and ruining original time period homes. Does everything have to look like the HGTV boring everything white stuff. Sad we have to accommodate the lowest common denominator to sell a house because no one appreciates anything older than 7 years old...

[kathrynp]

I have a lot of plants, is it ok to leave them out ? How do they photograph?

[franktartan]

a year ago I called realtors. They priced my house without seeing it. They had all the paperwork filled out, including that 6 percent commission plus about another 1 percent of fees. I asked for advice about how I should remodel and what would be best. I got nothing, except "counter tops". Now a year later, after a complete remodel of 2 baths, 2 new sliders, all new inside doors, new laminate floors in 2 rooms, new double garage door, new metal roof, all new they tell me it is still worth the exact makes me insane. Will sell it myself one way or another!

[SometimesMyself]

Went to an open house. Master bedroom was filled with- FILLED - with dozens upon dozens of dolls, all wrapped in plastic, covering every surface of the way too many shelves. I can imagine the agent had begged them to pack it up. That house to many months to sell.

[drawrobot]

If I stand to make $1.5 million or more on a home, why would I balk at paying a measly $7-$5k to stage it.? Sounds like a drop in the bucket.