9 Costly Mistakes to Avoid If You Want to Sell Your Home Quickly, Agents Warn

Don't let market shifts sabotage your chance at a speedy, top-dollar home sale. In today's climate, where the market is moving toward buyers, sellers must be proactive and strategic. We’ve compiled advice from top real estate experts on the nine biggest mistakes that can kill your sale momentum.

1. Overpricing Your Home

The worst mistake a seller can make is overpricing their home. According to real estate expert Fred Loguidice, an overpriced home will almost always sit on the market. Buyers are highly informed about comparable sales and market trends.

If your home is priced 10% higher than the competition, buyers will view it as a poor value and move on. Overpricing often leads to a series of visible price reductions, which then serve as a red flag, making buyers suspect something is wrong with the property itself.

2. Choosing the Wrong Agent (or Attempting an Unprepared FSBO)

Your choice of agent is crucial. Paula Aragone, founder and CEO of Aragone & Associates, warns that choosing an inexperienced agent or attempting a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) without proper preparation will hinder your home’s marketability.

Seasoned agents understand pricing psychology, know which improvements offer the highest return, and have proven systems to attract qualified buyers fast. Inexperienced approaches or unprepared FSBO attempts often result in significantly longer market time and a lower final sale price.

3. Using Low-Quality Photos

The first showing happens online. Missy Derr of Engel & Völkers Atlanta stresses that skipping professional photography is a critical mistake. To capture attention in a competitive market, you must advertise your home strategically using high-quality images, video, and rich graphics.

Derr cautions against "catfishing" buyers by over-editing photos. Ensure your pictures accurately, yet professionally, represent the home to compel buyers to book an in-person viewing.

4. Failing to Declutter and Depersonalize

Clutter is the enemy of spaciousness. Real estate expert Joe Ellul-Turner advises against having walls full of family photos, cluttered countertops, and numerous knick-knacks.

Buyers need to envision their life in the space—not yours. Before listing, clear out closets, pack away personal items, and store extra furniture. The goal is a blank canvas that feels spacious and full of potential.

5. Skipping Staging and Necessary Repairs

Whether your home is vacant or occupied, skipping staging is a mistake. Professional, neutral staging appeals to the widest audience, helps define awkward floor plans, and shows buyers how the home will suit their lifestyle.

Additionally, neglecting needed repairs will lengthen your time on the market. Realtor Alexei Morgado and Missy Derr agree: unless marketed as a fixer-upper, your home must be as close to perfect as your budget allows. Fix the paint, repair damaged floors, replace an old roof, and spruce up the landscaping.

6. Neglecting Curb Appeal

A buyer’s first impression happens the moment they pull up. Fred Loguidice reaffirms that neglecting curb appeal—seeing a littered lawn, untrimmed bushes, or peeling paint—can be a deal-breaker before they even leave the car. The good news? This is one of the easiest and cheapest fixes. A small investment in fresh mulch, flowers, and a clean front door can work wonders.

7. Limiting Showing Access

Homes with restricted viewing hours or excessive notice requirements frustrate serious buyers. Aragone notes that the more accessible a property is for showings, the faster it moves. To sell quickly, you need to stay flexible and keep the home consistently show-ready—meaning meticulous cleanliness and packed-away personal effects at all times.

8. Not Disclosing All Problems

Honesty is essential. Morgado and Loguidice warn that attempting to hide known issues (like a leaky roof or faulty HVAC) is a huge mistake. The buyer's inspector will inevitably find the problem, which completely annihilates trust. A simple negotiation about a repair credit turns into a crisis where the buyer questions what else you are hiding. Always be transparent from the start.

Shailey O Sharma is committed to ensuring her clients avoid these costly mistakes. Ready to sell your Maryland home quickly and for top dollar? Contact Shailey for a strategic consultation.