10 Biggest Seller Regrets And How To Avoid Them

Many people agree that buying a home is one of, if not the biggest, financial decisions they'll make in their lifetime. However, selling your home also comes with costs and is a huge leap, and it's one you shouldn't take lightly. If you rush to sell your house, you might regret it.

An overpriced listing, skipping repairs, underestimating the power of staging, and being inflexible are common seller regrets. Trying to sell by owner without the right know-how, not vetting agents properly, and jumping on the first offer are other mistakes sellers make. Planning ahead, having patience, and not letting emotions take over help you avoid many of these issues.

There's no foolproof method for avoiding every potential problem when you're selling your home. However, being aware of the most common pitfalls can certainly decrease your risk for regret.

Selling your home can be exciting, and it can also be emotional, especially if you need to sell because you have bought a larger place. Before putting your home on the market, however, it's a good idea to consider some factors below to help you avoid making a mistake you may later regret.

1. Listing Your Home for Too High a Price

Many sellers are pricing their homes too high. It's understandable to assume your house is worth more than it is, especially if you've invested a lot of time and money into the property. Not to mention, if you're letting sites like Zillow or Trulia inform your opinions. These blanket real estate sites don't consider the specifics of your property and often overestimate values.

You also likely have many memories of living in your home, which tends to inflate its value in your eyes. However, your opinion on what your house is worth doesn't really matter. The driving factor determining the best list price for your home is its current market value based on comps.

Overpricing can lead to your home sitting on the market far too long, which makes buyers think something is wrong with it. Typically, the longer a house sits, the harder it becomes to sell. Many times, you end up ultimately selling for less than if you priced your home appropriately from the start.

How To Avoid Overpricing Your Home

Work with a trusted local real estate agent to set a competitive price based on comparable house sales (comps) in your neighborhood. Don’t obsess over Zillow’s Zestimate.

The first few weeks on the market are the most critical. Don't ignore your agent's advice and demand a price that's too high. You need to grab buyers’ attention from the start.

2. Ignoring Necessary Repairs Before Listing

You might think buyers won't notice the small issues in your home. Perhaps you've even stopped noticing them yourself — homeowners tend to get blind to these things over time.

But even minor problems, like a leaky faucet or peeling paint, can lead to lower offers. Basically, when buyers see these small issues, they start to let their imaginations run wild.

They picture all the other things that might be wrong with the property. After all, if you didn't take the time to fix these small things, what big things did you ignore?

How To Avoid Repair Regrets

Take the time to fix all those nagging repairs when preparing your home for sale. Hire a home inspector to conduct a pre-listing inspection to identify potential red flags so you can tackle them before buyers have a chance to complain.

Concentrate on repairs that deliver a strong return on investment (ROI), like plumbing issues, roof problems, and HVAC maintenance. Handle all the small cosmetic fixes, too, including paint touch-ups, squeaky doors, and outdated fixtures.

Buyers usually want homes that are move-in ready, so the fewer repairs they see, the better. Otherwise, you put yourself at an increased risk of buyers walking away or asking for price reductions.

3. Underestimating The Value Of Staging

First, it's worth saying that not every seller needs to invest in a professional stager if they want to sell. However, when you sell your home, you should consider how your house looks to buyers and make sure it presents favorably. (This goes for how your home looks in photos, too!)

If you assume buyers can look beyond your clutter, outdated furniture, and personal photos, you're setting yourself up for failure. In reality, buyers often struggle with imagining themselves in a home when there's too much stuff in the way. (Even an empty house can be an issue.)

Furthermore, if your home doesn't read well, it can become forgettable. Buyers will simply move on to the next house on their list. This is easier than undergoing the mental gymnastics it takes to picture themselves living in your house.

How To Avoid Turning Off Buyers

Declutter and depersonalize your home. Remove family photos, quirky collections, and any unnecessary furniture and decor. Use neutrals, maximize natural light, and make sure there's enough artificial light to fill in the gaps.

If your budget allows, hire a professional stager who has access to updated items. There's also the possibility of using virtual staging if your home is empty. To save money, concentrate your efforts on key areas like the living room, kitchen, primary bedroom, and bathrooms.

4. Choosing The Wrong Real Estate Agent (Or Selling By-Owner Without A Plan)

Trying to sell your home yourself (For Sale by Owner) or not taking time to choose a solid agent are other seller regrets. If your agent doesn’t know how to market effectively, is unfamiliar with the neighborhood, or doesn’t gel with you, this can cause a bunch of added stress. Selling your home solo also comes with a lot of headaches if you don’t take the time to research the process thoroughly.

How To Avoid A Stressful Selling Process

Don’t choose your real estate agent solely based on the fact that they’re your best friend’s aunt. Interview at least two to three agents, asking each about their experience, local market knowledge, and marketing plan.

If you decide to sell by owner, devise a solid pricing strategy and cover all of your bases legally. Unless you have extensive knowledge of real estate, it’s worth hiring a real estate attorney to help you with the paperwork.

5. Ignoring Curb Appeal

Many sellers focus so much on the inside of their homes, they forget about the outside. But the curb appeal is what most buyers see first, so if it isn’t good, they won’t move past the front door.

How To Avoid A Bad First Impression

Pay attention to your home’s curb appeal and get it in tip-top shape before you list your home. It needs to be ready for photographs and showings. Spruce up the landscaping, mow the lawn, trim bushes, and add fresh mulch or seasonal flowers.

Power wash siding, walkways, the driveway, and the porch. Paint the front door, update house numbers, and replace burnt-out light bulbs.

Scrub the mailbox (or give it a fresh coat of paint) and pick up any clutter, like kids’ bikes, garden tools, etc. Hide trash cans out of sight, and create a tidy exterior that tells buyers your home is worth exploring.

6. Letting Emotions Get In The Way

Emotions can get in the way of negotiations, especially if you’ve lived in your home for many years. But letting emotions call the shots could lead you to reject solid offers. This regret often goes hand-in-hand with pricing a home too high.

How To Avoid An Emotional Roadblock

Shift your mindset to viewing the sale of your house as a business transaction, nothing more. Be open to feedback from your agent, remembering that they’re only trying to get you the best possible price, not criticize your decorating choices.

7. Failing To Look Beyond The Sale

Don’t put all of your focus and effort into selling your home that you forget about what happens after. You don’t want to find yourself a few days out from closing with nowhere to go. Not only can this lead to panic, but it could potentially jeopardize a sale if you have to press pause.

How To Avoid Panic After Selling

Have a plan for where you’ll go, whether it involves house hunting for a new home, looking for a place to rent, or staying with friends or family. Do you need a storage unit? Is there a specific day you need to sell by?

Find a lender or agent to help you with this process. Line up movers. Be prepared for what comes next.

8. Accepting The First Offer Immediately

You might be so relieved when you get an offer, especially if it comes quickly, that you accept without taking time to think about it. However, sellers who jump too fast at the first offer often regret it because they ultimately leave money on the table.

How To Avoid Underselling And Shortchanging Yourself

Don’t accept an offer without reviewing it thoroughly with your agent. If you’re selling in a competitive market, wait a few days before responding to see if any other offers come forward. 

Also, don’t just look at the price. Consider any contingencies, the requested closing date, and how strong the buyer’s financing is before you sign on the dotted line.

9. Not Researching The True Costs Of Selling

Don’t underestimate how much selling your home is going to cost you. It’s common to think about things like your agent’s commission, but that’s only one small part of the overall financial picture.

You also have costs for repairs, staging, closing costs, and possibly storage or temporary housing. If you sell your house without planning for these expenses, you could put yourself in a financial bind.

How To Avoid Financial Strain When Selling Your Home

Talk with your agent about your estimated proceeds after your home sells. They can work with you to determine what you will ultimately walk away with after all expenses.

Budget for expected and unexpected expenses by including a buffer in your finances. Last-minute repairs will likely pop up, or buyers may ask for extra concessions. Also, don’t forget about your moving expenses and any costs associated with your next home purchase or rental.

10. Being Inflexible With Showings

The more buyers who can see your home, the more likely you are to sell. Therefore, you want plenty of showings. However, if you limit times for showings because of work schedules, kids, or plain inconvenience, you also limit your chances of a sale.

How To Avoid Inflexibility

Have a plan for where you’ll go, what you’ll do with pets during showings, etc. You want to get out of the house whenever necessary, especially during the first few weeks.

If possible, consider staying somewhere else while your home is on the market. Keep your house show-ready, so you don’t have to scramble when your agent calls with a last-minute showing.

Limit Seller Regrets And Increase Your Chances For A Successful Sale

Selling a home is a big deal, and it can also be extremely emotional. Therefore, it pays to learn about the most common seller regrets, so you can go into the process with your eyes wide open. 

Knowledge, patience, and keeping your emotions in check will help you avoid pitfalls and maximize your profit. Your goal is to walk away from your home sale with confidence instead of regret.

Related Guides:

• Six Essential Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Sell Your Home
• When Should Seniors Consider Selling Their Home?
• Does A Garden Increase Home Value?