The biggest shock most sellers face is what real estate agents and potential home buyers feel their home is worth. Sometimes home sellers can be pleasantly surprised, but the reality is that markets change, and home values rise and fall. Many subjective factors such as floor plan, condition, updates, decorating taste and drive-up appeal affect home values.

The truth is that buyers will likely determine the value of your FSBO home, in this market, at this particular time, and that has very little to do with what you need to get out of the home.

2. People Won't Love Your Home Like You Do

You love your home and expect others to appreciate the same qualities in it that you do, but home buyers have their own lifestyles, preferences, tastes and attitudes. The chances of finding a home buyer who will want your home "as is" are slim to none.

In fact, most potential home buyers will look at your home with an eye to how they can make it suit themselves. They may knock out that wall where you have your bowling trophies, tear down the bookshelves you had “built in” to change bedroom 5 into an office and gut the ensuite bathroom that you painstakingly designed only 3 short years ago. All those changes cost money, so they will value your home less as they consider remodeling and decorating costs.

Remember, your home is competing against other homes with updates and features your home may not offer. Your home has to withstand the harsh glare of scrutiny, so you must make it as competitive as possible within your means. Ensure that it is in good repair, and make sure it is spotless and clutter-free.

3. Sooner Or Later You Will Lose Your Temper

Your relationship with your buyer will be one of love/hate. The home buyers are adversaries because they wants to pay as little as possible while you want as much as possible.

The home buyer, in order to improve bargaining leverage, may pick your home apart. Many of the potential home buyer's complaints and requests for repairs will be legitimate, but some may not. In fact, some requests can be outrageous.

Stay focused on your goal to sell the home, and keep your cool. Negotiate what you are prepared to do and not do. Remember, your home can't close until everyone is happy, so be flexible and willing to compromise.

Don't let your feelings fester. If you are truly uncomfortable about anything, inform the potential buyer immediately.

4. Unexpected Showings.

Buyers aren't going to operate on your schedule. They may want to see the home at any time of the day or evening. Bare in mind that home buyers won't wait. If your house is not available to be seen, a home buyer will want to see others, and a real estate agent will be more then happy to oblige. Tell a potential home buyer to come back tomorrow and chances are you'll never see them again. You have to make your home available when the buyers want to see it, even when it's not convenient for you.

5. Buyer rudeness

Poor manners are rampant in our society. So why be surprised when potential home buyers visit your home and leave their coffee cup on your coffee table? Or leave the cabinets and closet doors open wherever they looked? Or worse, don’t even show up for their scheduled appointment, expecting you to reschedule at a moment's notice?

As tempting as it may be to take their rudeness to task, it's not worth alienating a potential home buyer.

6. Inspections

Inspections kill more deals than any other single factor besides overpricing. All older homes have some minor and some major problems, so address the problem before it becomes a problem. You may want to consider conducting a seller's inspection, and you'll have advance knowledge of any problems that must be fixed. A buyer who sees a favorable inspection report as part of the home marketing materials is more likely to make a fair price offer.

7. Last Minute Problems That Delay Closing

Service providers, from lenders to inspectors to closing agents, may cause problems, sometimes without intending to. In some areas, closings are happening at such a rate that all service providers associated with the real estate transaction are on overload. So schedule all steps in the transaction early. Track the transaction with your real estate lawyer to ensure the steps have been fulfilled properly. Try to avoid Friday, end of month and first of month closings, if possible.

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