The 3 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now (And How To Avoid Them)
If you want to sell your house, having the right strategies and expectations is key. But some sellers haven’t adjusted to where the market is today. They’re not factoring in that there are more homes for sale or that buyers are being more selective with their budgets. And those sellers are making some costly mistakes.
Here’s a deep dive into the three most common missteps sellers are making and how partnering with an expert agent can help you avoid every single one of them.
1. Pricing the Home Too High
According to a survey by John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM), 58% of agents say sellers struggle most with setting the right price for their house:
And more often than not, homeowners tend to overprice their listings. If you aren’t up to speed on what’s happening in your local market, you may be tempted to price high so you can have some wiggle room for negotiations. You don’t want to do this.
Why Overpricing Hurts Your Sale
Today’s buyers are more cautious due to higher interest rates and tight budgets. A price that feels too high will scare them off, and if no one’s looking at your house, how’s it going to sell? This is exactly why more sellers are having to do price cuts.
Additionally, an overpriced home stays on the market longer, making it appear less desirable to buyers. When a listing sits unsold for weeks or months, buyers start wondering, “What’s wrong with it?”—leading to lowball offers or no offers at all.
How To Avoid This Mistake
To avoid this headache, trust your agent’s expertise from day one. A great agent will be able to tell you what your neighbor’s house just sold for and how that impacts the value of your home.
Pro Tip: The Power of a Competitive Price
Pricing your home competitively from the start attracts more interest, leading to multiple offers and potential bidding wars, which can actually drive the price higher.
2. Skipping Repairs
Another common mistake is trying to avoid doing work on your house. That leaky faucet or squeaky door might not bother you, but to buyers, small maintenance issues can be red flags. They may assume those little flaws are signs of bigger problems—and that could cost you when offers come in lower or buyers ask for concessions.
The Importance of First Impressions
Buyers are often making quick judgments. If your home looks well-maintained, they’ll feel more confident making an offer. But if it feels neglected, they may assume expensive issues are lurking beneath the surface.
As Investopedia says:
“Sellers who do not clean and stage their homes throw money down the drain. . . Failing to do these things can reduce your sales price and may also prevent you from getting a sale at all. If you haven’t attended to minor issues, such as a broken doorknob or dripping faucet, a potential buyer may wonder whether the house has larger, costlier issues that haven’t been addressed either.”
How To Avoid This Mistake
Work with your agent to prioritize anything you’ll need to tackle before the photographer comes in. These minor upgrades can pay off big when it’s time to sell.
Quick Fixes That Make a Big Impact:
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Patch up wall scuffs and paint touch-ups.
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Fix leaky faucets and running toilets.
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Replace burnt-out light bulbs.
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Deep clean carpets and floors.
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Declutter and depersonalize spaces.
These small investments signal to buyers that your home is well cared for, making it easier for them to picture themselves living there.
3. Refusing To Negotiate
Buyers today are feeling the pinch of high home prices and mortgage rates. With affordability that tight, they may come in with an offer that’s lower than you want to see. Don’t take it personally. Instead, focus on the end goal: selling your house.
At the same time, with more homes on the market, buyers have options—and with that comes more negotiating power. They may ask for repairs, closing cost assistance, or other concessions. Be prepared to have these conversations. Again, lean on your agent to guide you. Sometimes a small compromise can seal the deal without derailing your bottom line.
Why Flexibility Pays Off
Being willing to negotiate doesn’t mean settling for less. It means understanding the market and knowing where you can meet buyers halfway to make the deal happen.
As U.S. News Real Estate explains:
“If you’ve received an offer for your house that isn’t quite what you’d hoped it would be, expect to negotiate . . . the only way to come to a successful deal is to make sure the buyer also feels like he or she benefits . . . consider offering to cover some of the buyer’s closing costs or agree to a credit for a minor repair the inspector found.”
How To Avoid This Mistake
Your agent can help you negotiate confidently without letting emotions cloud your judgment. The right strategy can help you close the deal while still protecting your bottom line.
Smart Negotiation Tactics:
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Counteroffer strategically, rather than rejecting outright.
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Offer incentives like covering part of the closing costs.
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Be open to repair credits instead of fixing everything yourself.
The Biggest Mistake of All? Not Using a Real Estate Agent
Notice anything? For each of these mistakes, partnering with an agent helps prevent them from happening in the first place. That makes trying to sell your house without an agent’s help the biggest mistake of all.
A great agent brings market expertise, negotiation skills, and a proven strategy to get your home sold faster and for top dollar.
If you’re thinking about selling your home in Flower Mound, Argyle, Highland Village, Lantana, Northlake, or Southlake, don’t go it alone. BlueFuse Realty Group specializes in expert home pricing, marketing, and negotiation strategies to help you sell faster and for top dollar.
Call us today to get started!
