Before listing
Skipping repairs that a buyer will find, listing before photos and staging are ready, and pricing to an appraisal from two years ago all cost real money. So does listing in the week you happen to be free rather than when comparable inventory is thin.
- Launching with weak photography
- Leaving obvious deferred maintenance visible
- Ignoring what is actively listed nearby
During the listing
Restricting showing times, being home during showings, and refusing to move on price after two weeks of quiet feedback all shrink the buyer pool. The market gives feedback quickly; the mistake is not listening.
At the offer stage
Focusing only on price ignores deposit size, financing conditions, and closing date. A slightly lower firm offer from a pre-approved buyer is often worth more than a higher conditional one that collapses two weeks later.
After the sale is firm
Sellers frequently buy their next home without confirming financing, then discover the numbers do not work. Arrange the next mortgage as soon as your sale firms up, and check your penalty if you plan to break the existing one.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know a buyer's financing is solid?
- Ask for a lender pre-approval, not a rate hold, and pay attention to the size of the deposit.
- Can I avoid a prepayment penalty when I sell?
- Often yes, by porting the mortgage to your new home or timing the sale near renewal. We can calculate the penalty in advance.