Selling your home is a big deal—it’s likely one of the largest financial transactions you’ll make. But did you know that a few common missteps could cost you thousands of dollars or cause your home to sit on the market for months?
The good news? These mistakes are 100% avoidable when you have the right real estate expert guiding you. Here are some of the biggest pitfalls home sellers face—and how working with an experienced Edmonton real estate agent can help you dodge them.
1. Overpricing Your Home
It’s tempting to aim high when setting your price—after all, you want top dollar! But overpricing can scare off buyers and lead to a stale listing that lingers on the market. The longer a home sits unsold, the more likely you’ll need to lower the price, sometimes below what it was truly worth to begin with.
👉 The Fix: A professional real estate agent will conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) to set a competitive price that attracts buyers while maximizing your return. Pricing it right from the start leads to quicker sales and stronger offers.
Wally Fakhreddine: Best in Edmonton’s Top 25 List - Best REALTOR® in Edmonton
2. Skipping Minor Repairs
Buyers notice the little things—like leaky faucets, chipped paint, or scuffed floors. Even minor issues can make a home feel neglected, leading buyers to offer less or walk away altogether.
👉 The Fix: A skilled realtor can pinpoint which minor repairs will have the biggest impact. Often, a small investment in touch-ups leads to higher offers and a smoother sale.
3. Poor Listing Photos (or Not Enough of Them!)
Most buyers start their home search online, and if your photos don’t make a great first impression, they’ll scroll right past. Dark, blurry, or poorly framed pictures can make even a stunning home look unappealing.
👉 The Fix: A realtor will bring in a professional photographer to capture your home at its best—ensuring it stands out in a crowded market and attracts more showings and offers.
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4. Not Staging (or Over-Personalizing) Your Home
Your home may be beautifully decorated, but buyers need to envision themselves living there—not you. Clutter, bold paint colors, or too much personal décor can make that difficult.
👉 The Fix: A knowledgeable agent will give expert staging advice or connect you with a pro to create a neutral, inviting space that appeals to a wide range of buyers.
5. Being Too Emotionally Attached
Selling a home is emotional, but getting too attached can lead to rejecting good offers or resisting necessary changes.
👉 The Fix: A real estate agent acts as your objective guide, helping you navigate offers and negotiations without letting emotions get in the way of a great deal.
6. Trying to Sell Without a Realtor
Some sellers think they can save money by going the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route, but in reality, FSBO homes often sell for less and take longer to sell than agent-listed properties. From marketing to negotiating, selling a home is a full-time job—one that experienced realtors excel at.
👉 The Fix: Hiring a trusted, expert Edmonton real estate agent ensures your home gets maximum exposure, proper pricing, and professional negotiation—leading to a faster sale and better price.
Wally Fakhreddine Featured in Top Agent Magazine
Ready to Sell Your Home the Right Way?
Avoiding these costly mistakes starts with the right real estate partner. If you’re thinking about selling, let’s chat! I’ll help you price your home correctly, market it effectively, and ensure you get the best possible deal—without the stress.
Edmonton real estate agent Wally Fakhreddine has 20 years of experience and is consistently among the top performers in the industry.
📞 Call/text Wally today at 780.238.7384 for a free home evaluation!