PROPERTY NEWS - Selling a home can be an exciting journey, but it also comes with plenty of pitfalls that could end up costing sellers valuable time and money.
To help homeowners avoid common missteps, REMAX Southern Africa asked their agents to share the biggest mistakes they’ve seen sellers make. Here’s what our experts had to say – and how you can steer clear of these traps when putting your home on the market.
Starting with the most well-known mistakes, Kim Peacock, broker/owner REMAX Dolphin Realtors in KZN explains that their team consistently helps sellers avoid three common pitfalls…
“Firstly, overpricing the property, which deters buyers and can attract the wrong buyers. It can also cause the listing to stagnate and can unintentionally help competing properties sell faster by making them appear better value. We always recommend market-related pricing based on solid data to ensure the best results.”
The next pitfall Peacock urges sellers to avoid is presenting poor first impressions. Properties that aren’t properly presented (decluttered, cleaned, painted, well-lit) lose buyer interest quickly, so she recommends that sellers take the time to get the home market-ready before it hits the property portals.
Last and most importantly, Peacock explains that choosing the wrong agent can completely derail a sale. “Working with inexperienced or non-local agents can cost time and money,” she notes.
Similarly, Barbara Larney, broker/manager of REMAX Wine and Whales, explains that trying to sell without an agent might seem cost-effective, but it carries serious risks.
“What seems like a saving often ends up as a costly mistake. Selling a property privately opens the door to strangers without any proper vetting. When homeowners market and manage viewings themselves, they often don’t have the tools or systems in place to verify a potential buyer’s identity, financial position or intent.
""This creates significant exposure to fraud, theft or even personal harm. Professional estate agents are trained to pre-qualify buyers, schedule and supervise viewings, and maintain a record of every person who enters the property. We work with trusted partners like bond originators, attorneys and security services to ensure every step of the sales process is secure. Your home is your most valuable asset and your safety is not negotiable,” she says.
Apart from these more common mistakes, there are also the lesser-known risks in relation to compliance and paperwork which can end up delaying or even cancelling the transaction altogether.
“In Port Elizabeth, where many properties are decades old and have undergone informal extensions or additions, the following mistakes are among the most common reasons for delays, renegotiations, or even failed sales: Missing or Outdated Building Plans; and Overlooking Title Deed Restrictions,” says Carla Visagie, sales manager at REMAX Independent Properties.
Elaborating on this, Visagie explains that there’s a unique challenge in Nelson Mandela Bay. “Prior to 2014, building plan submissions did not require a copy of the title deed. As a result, many plans were approved without consideration for existing title deed restrictions. This means some structures (although approved by the municipality) are technically non-compliant, creating a legal grey area that can block or delay the transfer process. In many older Port Elizabeth suburbs, sellers may not even know these restrictions exist until it’s too late. For example, a seller may think they can build or extend, only to find a servitude or condition preventing it, even if their building plans were once approved,” she cautions.
To avoid this, always double check the conditions of the title deed and make sure all the necessary planning approvals are in place before getting the ball rolling on the sale of the property.
“Selling a property is a major financial decision, and even small mistakes can have costly consequences,” says Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of REMAX Southern Africa. “By steering clear of pitfalls such as trying to sell without an agent, setting the wrong price, neglecting first impressions, or overlooking title deed restrictions and building plan approvals, sellers can greatly improve their chances of a smooth and successful sale.”
“Partnering with a knowledgeable agent ensures that every step of the process is handled professionally, giving you peace of mind and helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your home,” Goslett concludes.“
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
