Selling a house can be exciting, but it can also be stressful and expensive—especially if you make the wrong moves. Understanding the common mistakes when selling a house can save you money, time, and frustration. This guide walks you through the biggest pitfalls homeowners face and how to avoid them.

The Consequences of Overpricing Your Home

Keyword: overpricing home consequences

Pricing your home too high is one of the most damaging mistakes you can make.

• Buyers ignore overpriced homes. A high price tag will turn buyers away, leaving your home to sit on the market. Over time, a stale listing leads to price reductions and suspicion.

• Homes that sit too long sell for less. According to Zillow, homes listed for two months sold for 5% below asking. Homes on the market for nearly a year sold for 12% less (https://www.zillow.com/research/zillow-market-report-february-2024-32895/).

• Appraisal problems. If a buyer agrees to a high price, the appraisal may come in lower, and the lender might refuse the full loan amount.

• Emotional pricing backfires. Redfin experts call overpricing "playing Russian roulette" with your sale because it often ends in disappointment (https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-pricing-gap/).

What to do instead: Work with an experienced agent to analyze comparable home sales in your area. Price your home competitively from the start.

FSBO Risks: Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You

Keyword: FSBO risks

Many sellers think they can save money by going "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO). But in most cases, the risks outweigh the benefits.

• FSBO homes sell for much less. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that FSBO homes sold for $380,000 on average, compared to $435,000 for homes sold with an agent https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers

• Limited exposure. FSBO sellers don't have access to the MLS and can’t market to as many buyers. A Bright MLS study showed MLS-listed homes sold for 17.5% more https://www.brightmls.com/pages/2022-bright-mls-homebuyer-insights-report

• More legal mistakes. 1 in 3 FSBO sellers make major legal or paperwork mistakes, which can lead to lawsuits.

• Fewer negotiation skills. Agents are trained to handle tough negotiations, emotional buyers, and complex terms.

What to do instead: Hire a qualified real estate agent who can guide you through pricing, marketing, negotiations, and legal compliance.

Why Timing Matters: Avoiding Listing at the Wrong Time

Keyword: what not to do when selling

Timing can make or break your sale.

• Season matters. Homes listed in May sell for 1.6% more on average. Late spring is the best time to list https://www.zillow.com/research/when-to-list-2024-32891/

• Market trends matter more. If you list during a buyer’s market—when inventory is high and demand is low—you’ll likely get fewer offers and lower prices.

• Mistiming the peak. Waiting too long to list during a hot market could mean missing out when demand cools.

• Overestimating demand. In 2025, the median U.S. list price was 9% higher than what buyers actually paid—sellers were too optimistic https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-pricing-gap/

What to do instead: Use current market data, not just seasonal trends. A trusted agent can help you understand when it’s the right time to list.

Is Your Home Ready? Avoid This Listing Pitfall

Keyword: pitfalls when listing

Failing to prepare your home properly can turn off buyers.

• Small issues = big doubts. Minor problems like a leaky faucet or cracked tile make buyers wonder what else is wrong.

• Clean and declutter. A messy, personalized space is hard for buyers to imagine as their own.

• Staging matters. 81% of buyer’s agents say staging helps buyers visualize living in the home https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/profile-of-home-staging

• Curb appeal is critical. If the outside looks bad, many buyers won’t even step inside.

• Buyers pay more for move-in-ready. Move-in-ready homes sell for 4% more on average https://www.zillow.com/research/home-traits-price-premiums-32181/

• What to do instead: Fix obvious flaws, clean deeply, stage key rooms, and tidy the yard.

Listing Pitfalls That Sabotage Your Sale

Keyword: pitfalls when listing

Even if your home looks great, poor marketing can ruin your sale.

• Bad photos = fewer views. Professional photos help homes sell 32% faster and get 61% more online views https://www.homesnap.com/blog/importance-of-photos-in-real-estate-listings

• Weak listing descriptions. Phrases like “priced to sell” can actually lower offers by 8.5% https://www.redfin.com/news/real-estate-listing-keywords

• Not using the MLS. Homes not on the MLS often sell for less and take longer.

• Hard-to-schedule showings. Buyers move on if it’s too difficult to view your home.

What to do instead: Use high-quality photos, write a compelling description, and list on the MLS. Make it easy for buyers to tour your home.

Emotion vs. Strategy: Keep the Sale Professional

Keyword: what not to do when selling

Selling your home is emotional, but don’t let feelings drive your decisions.

• Sentimental pricing. Your memories don’t add market value. Emotional pricing leads to overpricing.

• Getting offended by offers. A low offer is a starting point, not an insult.

• Taking feedback personally. Criticism of your home’s features is not about you—it’s about buyer preferences.

• Hovering during showings. Being home during showings makes buyers uncomfortable.

What to do instead: View your home as a product. Stay calm, flexible, and let your agent handle tough conversations.

Don’t Skip the Fine Print: Legal & Disclosure Mistakes

Keyword: common mistakes when selling a house

Selling a house involves serious legal paperwork. Mistakes here can cost you thousands.

• Disclosure errors. You must report known issues like roof leaks or water damage. Failure to do so is the top reason sellers get sued https://www.parealtors.org/articles/the-most-commonly-litigated-document-in-real-estate

• Wrong contract terms. Missing deadlines or skipping required documents can cancel your deal.

• State-specific rules. Some cities require retrofits, smoke detectors, or point-of-sale inspections.

• Buyers can sue post-sale. Even honest mistakes, like forgetting a repair date, can lead to legal trouble.

What to do instead: Triple-check disclosures and contracts. Hire an agent or attorney if you’re unsure about anything.

Conclusion: Avoid These Common Mistakes When Selling a House

Selling your home is a big decision. Avoiding the common mistakes when selling a house will help you close faster, save money, and reduce stress.

• Don’t overprice—be realistic.

• Avoid FSBO unless you’re highly experienced.

• Time your listing carefully.

• Prep your home inside and out.

• Market it right with great photos and descriptions.

• Stay objective during negotiations.

• Always follow legal requirements and complete disclosures properly.

If you're preparing to sell, reach out to a local real estate professional to help you get it right the first time.