| DON’T: 5 Mistakes That Can Make Selling Your Home Harder |
| Selling your home is a big decision. Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, relocating or moving on to the next chapter, the decisions you make before going to market can have a significant impact on your final result. After years of working in real estate across Tocumwal, Cobram, Barooga and the wider Murray River region, one thing is clear: a successful sale doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with the right advice, a well-planned strategy and an understanding of what buyers are prepared to pay. Here are five common mistakes worth avoiding before you put your property on the market. 1. DON’T Let Emotion Set Your Asking Price It’s easy to understand why homeowners have a figure in mind. Perhaps you’ve owned the property for years, completed improvements, raised a family there or invested considerable money into making it your own. Those things matter to you, but buyers make their decisions differently. They’re comparing your home with other properties available, recent sales and what they believe represents value in the current market. My advice: Start with the evidence. A thorough appraisal should consider comparable local sales, current competition, buyer demand, your property’s condition and its unique features. Pricing too ambitiously at the beginning can limit early interest and leave you adjusting your expectations later. The goal is to position your property where it attracts serious buyers and gives you the best opportunity to negotiate a strong result. 2. DON’T Spend Thousands on Renovations You May Not Need One of the most common questions I hear from sellers is, “Should we renovate before we sell?” The answer depends on the property and what buyers in your price range are looking for. A major kitchen or bathroom renovation might look impressive, but it doesn’t automatically translate into an equivalent increase in your sale price. In some cases, a few well-chosen improvements can make a better financial difference. Freshening up paintwork, attending to minor repairs, improving street appeal and ensuring the home is clean and presentable can all help. My advice: Before committing to expensive renovations, let’s walk through the property together and identify where your money is most likely to make a difference. The objective is to improve buyer appeal without unnecessarily eating into your proceeds. 3. DON’T Underestimate the Power of Presentation Buyers often start forming an opinion before they walk through the front door. Overgrown gardens, cluttered rooms, unfinished maintenance and poor first impressions can distract buyers from the property’s real strengths. You don’t need a display home, and you certainly don’t need to spend a fortune. You simply want buyers to see the space, appreciate the lifestyle on offer and imagine themselves living there. In our region, that might mean showcasing an outdoor entertaining area, shedding for boats or caravans, established gardens, a swimming pool or the relaxed lifestyle that comes with living near the Murray River. My advice: Focus on the features that matter most to your likely buyer. A little preparation can help your property stand out in online advertising, inspections and buyers’ comparisons. 4. DON’T Choose Your Agent Based on the Cheapest Fee Alone Selling costs matter, and every homeowner wants to maximise what they walk away with. However, the lowest commission doesn’t necessarily mean the best financial outcome. The right agent should offer more than a signboard and an online advertisement. You should expect a clear pricing strategy, quality marketing, access to genuine buyers, regular communication and confident negotiation when an offer comes forward. At Kerr Real Estate, our local knowledge is supported by our network across NSW and Victoria, helping us connect properties with buyers from both sides of the Murray and beyond. When comparing agents, ask questions such as: What comparable properties have you sold, and what were the results? How will you identify and target the most likely buyers? What marketing will you recommend, and why? How will you manage buyer feedback, offers and negotiations? How will you keep me informed throughout the campaign? My advice: Compare the complete service, strategy and likely outcome — not simply the commission percentage. The aim is to make an informed decision about who is best placed to represent your property and your interests. 5. DON’T Wait Forever for the “Perfect” Market There will always be another market forecast, interest rate announcement or property headline suggesting you should wait a little longer. But the perfect market rarely arrives at a convenient time. Your reasons for selling may be just as important as market conditions. You might be downsizing, moving closer to family, changing investments or looking to secure your next property. Rather than trying to predict the market perfectly, it’s important to understand current conditions, the competition you’ll face and how your sale fits into your broader plans. My advice: If you’re considering selling, have the conversation early. Understanding your property’s likely value, the current level of buyer demand and the best time to prepare gives you more options even if you’re not ready to sell immediately. BEFORE YOU GO TO MARKET: START WITH A PLAN A successful selling campaign should begin well before the sign goes up. Take the time to understand your property’s position in the market, identify worthwhile improvements, consider your selling costs and establish a strategy that reflects your goals. Most importantly, seek advice that is honest, evidence-based and specific to your property. At Kerr Real Estate, we believe homeowners deserve clear information and straightforward advice, whether you’re planning to sell next week, next year or simply want to understand where your property sits in today’s market. Thinking about selling in Tocumwal, Cobram, Barooga or the surrounding district? I’m always happy to have a confidential, no-pressure conversation about your property, recent comparable sales and what today’s market could mean for you. Kind Regards,  Jonathan Graham Sales Agent | Auctioneer 0405 506 670 jonathan@kerrrealestate.com.au |
DON’T: 5 Mistakes That Can Make Selling Your Home Harder
