The journey to sell a home is filled with many important steps.

From initial conversations to final signings, there are myriad details to tend to, including scheduling inspections, hiring a Real Estate Agent, setting and negotiating a price, sprucing up your home, and more.

As such, the process can easily become overwhelming, even for the most seasoned home seller. Mistakes are likely to happen.

That's why today, we're going over five of the most common mistakes that can occur when you have a house for sale in Calgary. Knowing the pitfalls ahead of time can help you stay on track, on time, and within budget.

Ready to learn more? Let's get started!

1. Posting Poor-Quality Pictures

A survey by the National Association of REALTORS® revealed that when they search for potential houses, 90% of home buyers hop online to check out what's available.

In today's digital age, this practice is only growing -- and for good reason. It's an accessible and convenient way to scan the market and learn more about any properties that catch their eye.

The Internet can help them discern specific details about a home, such as its square feet, year built, lot size, and school district. Yet, the reality is that most browsers aren't logging on just to stare at text on a screen -- they're in it for the pictures.

That said, to stand out from the crowd, it's essential to ensure you're posting clear, top-quality photos of your home's interior and exterior. Doing so can entice a user to explore your offering more closely, and you never know when a click could turn into a commitment.

2. Failing to Stage the Space

If you're selling a house in Calgary, interested buyers will want to take a look at your space. This is your home's one chance to make a great first impression.

To this end, it's important to stage your property as completely as possible, giving prospective buyers the chance to see what it's like to call your house a home. In short, "staging" is the process of highlighting your home's best assets and minimizing its downfalls.

Reducing clutter, strategically grouping furniture, and upping the wattage of your lights are all simple and easy changes that can make a big impact.

While no one expects every single square inch to be decorated, neat as a pin, and smelling like freshly baked cookies, the reality is that the second a prospect sets foot in your home, their analysis of the space begins.

Taking the time to create a clean and inviting space can make all the difference in how long your home takes to sell, and the sooner you take action the better.

In fact, staged homes sell on average 88% quicker and for to 20% more than nonstaged homes, making this one step to mark off your checklist early.

3. Not Providing Marketing Collateral

Prospective home buyers will likely spend time researching the local market when looking for a house for sale in Calgary.

To make sure the details of your property don't get lost or forgotten in the shuffle, it's helpful to have some sort of marketing material prepared that can be distributed at your open houses or showings.

These don't have to be elaborate, wordy tomes. Rather, a simple data sheet or brief pamphlet highlighting the major features of your house, along with some dynamic photographs (see Step #1 above) will be ideal.

This way, even long after prospects leave your space, they can consult your provided marketing sheets to refresh their minds about it.

After hours or days have passed, it can be easy for them to forget an important detail or recall what certain rooms looked like. This type of documentation is critical to helping them remember.

In addition, technology is allowing sellers to get even more creative with the ways they market their homes.

For instance, your Real Estate Professional can help you add web links to your listings that allow users to virtually walk through your home via immersive 3D video. You can also leverage digital photography, video slideshows, and other visual reminders to seal the deal.

4. Pricing the Home Incorrectly

At the end of the day, much of a home's selling potential hinges on the price tag and how it compares to others in that price range.

Pricing a home, therefore, is a delicate balancing act that shouldn't be taken lightly.

If the price isn't calculated correctly, the home could sit on the market for a long time without attracting a willing buyer. Or, it may instigate lowball offers that could result in lengthy negotiations, ultimately prolonging the selling process.

A Real Estate Professional will be able to determine a fair market value based on a range of factors including comparable nearby properties, the movement of the real estate market, local demand, the home's location, and its overall condition.

5. Not Hiring a Professional

In addition to helping you determine a price to attach to your house for sale in Calgary, a credible Real Estate Professional is indispensable in helping you along every step of the selling journey.

For one, a professional can help you get the most for your home by ensuring the price you set is fair and reasonable. He or she can also help you sell your home quicker by optimizing your marketing strategy and utilizing local resources.

When looking for someone to help you sell your home, it's important to look for an agent who is a member of the Calgary Real Estate Board. This person will have the title of REALTOR®, which means that he or she is qualified and certified by the Association to uphold its standards and values.

In Canada, the process of becoming a REALTOR® includes passing a lengthy series of educational and licensing requirements as well as completing yearly mandatory training courses to maintain a Real Estate License. While each province sets its own regulations, most follow the same general path.

To become a REALTOR®, one must pass a general educational level, then a written licensing exam. After becoming licensed in a province, the next steps are to become a member of a local board or the Canadian Real Estate Association, then a REALTOR®.

These rigorous requirements help ensure that top levels of quality and professionalism are maintained throughout your home selling process.

Got a House for Sale in Calgary? Start Selling Smarter

If you're selling your house in the Calgary, AB area, remembering these five common mistakes -- and how to avoid them -- can help you sell smarter, quicker, and more effectively.

Selling and buying a home are two of the most important and impactful decisions of your life and knowing all you can about the process beforehand is critical to securing the success you and your family deserve.

We're dedicated to helping home sellers in the Calgary and Alberta areas ace the real estate game. Contact us today to get started and let us lead the way!

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