The 3 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Are Making Right Now
If you’re thinking about selling your home, having the right strategies and expectations is key to getting the best results. However, some sellers haven’t fully adjusted to today’s market conditions. With more homes on the market and buyers being more selective, making the wrong moves can cost you time and money.
At Lawrence Team Homes, we’ve helped hundreds of sellers navigate different market shifts, and we know what works—and what doesn’t. Here are the three most common mistakes sellers are making right now, and how working with an expert agent can help you avoid them.
1. Pricing the Home Too High
According to a survey by John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM), real estate agents agree the #1 thing sellers struggle with right now is setting the right price for their house (see graph below):
Pricing your home correctly is one of the most important steps in selling successfully. But many sellers make the mistake of overpricing, thinking it will give them room to negotiate. In reality, this strategy can do more harm than good—especially in today’s Chattanooga market.
At Lawrence Team Homes, one of the top real estate teams in Chattanooga, Tennessee, we’ve seen how pricing too high can cause a home to sit on the market longer than necessary, leading to price cuts and lost opportunities. Here’s what you need to know to price smart and sell fast.
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 it could cost you when offers come in lower or buyers ask for concessions. 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.”
The solution? 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.
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. Your agent can help you negotiate confidently without letting emotions cloud your judgment.
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. 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.”
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.
Bottom Line
Avoid these common mistakes by starting with the right plan — and the right agent. Let’s connect so you don’t fall into any of these traps.
At Lawrence Team Homes, we’ve helped thousands of Chattanooga sellers successfully price and sell their homes without unnecessary stress. If you're thinking about selling, let’s talk about the right pricing strategy for you!
📲 Call us today! 423-451-8881
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