No matter why you decided to sell your Southern Maryland home, you probably didn’t make the decision lightly. There are many reasons Americans have for selling, including anew addition to the family, relocation for a new job, divorce, downsizing, the death of a spouse, or financial problems – just to name a few. In real estate terms, whatever your reason is, that is your “motivation for selling.”
It all sounds a bit impersonal, doesn’t it? After all, your home is full of memories, good and bad. To you, it’s more than the place where you store your things, and more than protection from the elements; it’s where you celebrated holidays, raised kids, and spent time with those you love most. These experiences and memories can be difficult to leave behind. Or, you may feel relief – depending on why you’re selling.
Whether your motivation is borne out of tragedy or joy, it is important to put your emotions aside and treat the sale of your Southern Maryland house as a business deal. Let’s look at some of the pitfalls you might encounter when you sell if you’re emotionally attached to your home.
Love doesn’t equal value
The market value of your home has nothing to do with how much you love it. So, despite how you feel about your home, don’t expect to find a buyer who loves it as much as you do and will then be willing to pay more for it than it’s worth.
You should do all you can to raise the home’s perceived value. Get rid of dated features, repair what is broken, and stage the home to appeal to buyers.
Take nothing personally
It’s never easy to take criticism, and you might take a lot of it during the sales process. Buyers’ agents may leave negative feedback, you may get lowball offers, or buyers may request that you “get rid of the ugly carpet.” Once the home is under contract, there will be plenty of opportunities to take offense. Remember that no home is perfect for everyone.
Depending on the market, it might be worth it to counter a lowball offer, so put your emotions aside and treat it like a business transaction.
Be Gumby
Life is chaotic when your Southern Maryland home is on the market because your day-to-day life doesn’t stop. You still have to go to work, and the kids still need to go to school and activities. It’s easy to tell yourself that you’re “too busy” to let potential buyers see the home – especially if you’re emotionally attached to your house. But if you want to get it sold, they need to see it, so be flexible. Understand that your life will be disrupted until the home is sold. Accept it, share it with your family, and promise yourself that you’ll be accommodating to potential buyers.
How to cope
For most Americans, their home is their largest financial investment and a symbol of a life lived, sanctuary achieved, and dreams both dashed and realized. It’s natural to feel an attachment, especially if you’ve lived in the home for a long time.
“One suggestion to help you let go of a home or other important possession is to realize that its emotional value doesn’t end when you sell it,” says Rick Kahler of Kahler Financial Group. “Through your memories, you get to keep most of the value the object has had for you.”
So, take lots of photos. Grab a handful of dirt from the garden, and plant something in it at the new home. Whatever you need to do to let go emotionally will help you get your Southern Maryland home sold — quickly and for top dollar.
Hughesville MD Homes for Sale and Real Estate Services in Southern Maryland. You now have a search engine to help you with your Southern Maryland home search! And I’m ready to provide you with a custom home valuation if you’re considering selling your home. Let’s connect to discuss how I can help you. Contact Kimberly Bean at 301-440-1309
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