THE 7 DEADLY SINS OF HOME SELLING

#1 GREED – OVERPRICING YOUR HOME

The sin: Sellers Pricing too high to “Test the Market”

The Fix: Overpriced homes sit longer, making them less desireable and often leading to the price cuts. A competitively priced home attracts more attention, leading to faster sales and stronger offers.

The Stat: Homes that remain on the market for more than 60 days typically sell for 5-10% LESS than originally listed, per NAR & Zillow.

#2: SLOTH – NEGLECTING REPAIRS & UPGRADES

The Sin: Avoiding pre-listing repairs and updates, assuming buyers will want to make their own changes.

The Fix: Buyers today prefer turnkey homes and will pay extra for them. Making small buy high-impact updates like fresh paint, modern lighting and landscaping can make a huge difference in buyer interest and final sale price.

 The Stat: Homes that need work sell for 7.3% LESS than comparable move-in-ready properties – costing sellers over $28,000 on average, per Zillow’s recent “THE END OF THE FIXER UPPER” report.

#3: PRIDE – IGNORING FEEDBACK & MARKET DATA

The sin: Refusing to adjust your strategy based on buyer feedback and market conditions.

The Fix: If buyers consistently mention outdated finishes or a too-high price, listen and adapt. Sellers who make strategic updates or adjust pricing sell faster and closer to the asking price.

The Stat: Homes that are described as “remodeled” receive 26% more daily saves and 30% more shares on Zillow – buyers are actively searching for updated properties.

#4: LUST – EXPECTING YOUR AGENT TO DO EVERYTHING EXCEPT TIX THE REAL PROBLEM

The sin: Wanting your agent to try every trick in the book – Open houses, extra ads, gimmicky marketing – when the real issue is price, condition or both.

The fix: A home that is priced right and well-representing will always perform better than one relying on marketing gimmicks. OPEN HOUSES DON’T SELL HOMES – buyers looking for well-priced, move-in-ready properties do.

Zillow Stat: Homes that are priced correctly and staged well will sell faster and for more money than those that rely on extra marketing tactics alone.

#5: ENVY – COMPARING YOUR HOME TO OTHERS UNFAIRLY

The Sin: Assuming your home should sell for the same prices as your neighbor’s even if it’s not in the same condition.

The fix: Understand that fully renovated homes sell for more. If a neighbor’s home sold for top dollar, find out why – was it recently remodeled? Did they stage it professionally? Pricing and presentation matter.4

Zillow Stat: Nearly 30% of all homes listed on Zillow are now marketed as “renovated” – meaning buyers have more move-in-ready options than ever.

#6: WRATH – LETTING EMOTIONS DICTATE NEGOTIATIONS

The Sin: Rejecting offers out of frustration or refusing to negotiate due to pride.

The fix: Keep Emotions in check. Buyers today may be stretching their budgets and looking for value – negotiation is key. Many times your first offer is your best offer.

Stat: Homes that accept well-positioned early offers sell faster and closer to asking price than those that hold out too long, per NAR & Zillow

#7: GLUTTONY – HOLDING OUT FOR THE “PERFECT” BUYER & LOSING MONEY

The sin: Wanting top dollar but refusing reasonable offers, waiting for a mythical “PERFECT” buyer who will pay more than market value.

The fix: The longer a home sits, the LESS desirable it becomes. If you’re getting offers but rejecting them because you “think” a better one will come along, you may end up selling for less later. Pricing right and negotiating smartly leads to the best outcome.

Zillow Stat: Homes that sit on the market over 60 days typically sell for 5-10% LESS than originally listed.

Article from Zoodealio