Common Home Selling Mistakes to Avoid

Most homes that sit on the market have the same few problems. Here are the mistakes I see cost sellers the most time and money, and what to do instead.

1. Overpricing at the start. A new listing gets the most attention in its first weeks. Price above the market and buyers skip it, then you end up chasing the market down with price cuts. Price from recent comparable sales instead.
2. Hiring the agent with the highest number. An inflated price suggestion wins the listing but rarely the sale. Ask every agent to show you the sales behind their number.
3. Skipping the prep. Clutter, deferred repairs and dated paint show up in photos and showings. Small fixes and a deep clean often return more than they cost.
4. Weak photos and marketing. Buyers decide online whether to visit. Professional photography, a 3D tour, drone shots and floor plans get more people through the door.
5. Making the home hard to show. Limited showing windows mean fewer buyers. Make it easy to see, and be flexible during the first two weekends.
6. Ignoring feedback. If agents keep saying the same thing, it's the market talking. Review showing feedback every week and adjust quickly.
7. Not knowing your bottom line. Know your estimated proceeds before you list. A net sheet shows what you'll walk away with at different prices.
8. Negotiating on emotion. Compare offers on net proceeds, terms and certainty of closing, not just the headline price.
9. Waiting to deal with inspection issues. Known problems tend to come up during the buyer's inspection. Consider a pre-listing inspection so there are fewer surprises later.

More for sellers: The top reason homes fail to sell | Selling with Matt