Selling Your Home? Don’t Make These 4 Mistakes

Louisiana REALTORS® • November 9, 2021

Mistakes are inconvenient and expensive; but they also have value, in hindsight. The value of a mistake is the opportunity to learn from it. Whether it’s knowing what to NOT order at a restaurant or how to avoid getting stuck in traffic on the way to work, there was likely a time when you, or someone had to learn these the hard way. This is especially true when it comes to selling your home. Of course these mistakes can cost a lot of time and money, so here are a few to make sure avoid.


Sell without a REALTOR®

REALTORS® are a great resource for home sellers and buyers alike. They have market experience and expertise that, for a home seller, can result in the highest offer possible. When you consider all of the moving parts that make up any real estate transaction, it can be quite a daunting task. If you attempt to sell your house without a trusted professional, you can be quickly overwhelmed and leave serious money on the table.


Have irrational expectations about selling your home

Managing your expectations can be difficult, but it is very important when it comes to selling your home. Of course in a perfect world your home would sell quickly and above your asking price, but that’s not realistic. An aggressive price point and unreasonable expectations for buyers can turn them off of your property in a hurry. The advice and guidance of a REALTOR® can help to ensure that you have a fair and competitive price, making this process much smoother.


Attend open houses and showings

While the desire to be present at open houses and showings is understandable, it may not be in your best interest. When potential buyers are looking at your home and you’re there, it can create an awkward experience. For a buyer trying to imagine themselves in your home while you’re there can be difficult. They may also feel inhibited about providing accurate and honest feedback with you present. This is a great opportunity for your REALTOR® to represent you in your absence during these events.


Not preparing your home for sale

It takes a lot more to sell a home than simply sticking a sign in the yard. Much of that work and due diligence will fall on your REALTOR®, but  there are responsibilities for the home seller as well. Rushing too quickly to get your house on the market can be a costly mistake if it isn’t prepared. A first impression is priceless when it comes to selling your home and if you haven’t made any necessary repairs, decluttered, improved the curb appeal, or staged your home, it may sit longer and go for less.




FIND A REALTOR®

Consumer Guide Update: Defining Home Buying Needs vs. Wants

By Louisiana REALTORS® • July 1, 2026
It’s not unusual for people to enter the homebuying process with a priority list that needs to be whittled down once they see what’s on the market. NAR’s latest consumer guide, “Defining Home Buying Needs vs. Wants,” is a decision-making tool that can help. It’s a simple checklist to help home buyers identify their needs, wants and deal-breakers. Using the form, or something like it, will help buyers remember what’s most important to them as they view and compare homes. There’s even a fillable PDF available for download. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow up to two weeks for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Defining Home Buying Needs vs. Wants NEW: 10 Tips For Unpacking Smartly After A Move UPDATED: Multiple Listing Services Overcoming Roadblocks to a Sale or Purchase How Solar Impacts a Real Estate Transaction Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Check out the next consumer guide for sellers on how to ease the transition for the new owners.

Consumer Guide Update: 10 Tips for Unpacking

By Louisiana REALTORS® • June 18, 2026
NAR’s latest consumer guide, “10 Tips for Unpacking Smartly After a Move,” was developed to help ease the burden buyers may feel when surrounded by boxes. For your clients on the cusp of a move, the guide suggests establishing a priority unpacking order, wiping down each room before unpacking, discarding boxes quickly, having garbage and donation bags at the ready, and more. Share the new guide along with the companion guide “10 Tips for Packing Smartly for a Move.” As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow up to two weeks for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: 10 Tips For Unpacking Smartly After A Move UPDATED : Multiple Listing Services Overcoming Roadblocks to a Sale or Purchase How Solar Impacts a Real Estate Transaction Navigating Interest Rate Shifts Thank you for your continued engagement with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their home buying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Check out the next consumer guide on identifying homebuying wants vs. needs.
Benefits of homeownership

Why Buying a Home Still Makes Sense: Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership

By Louisiana REALTORS® • June 15, 2026
Thinking about buying a home? Discover how homeownership can help build wealth, increase financial stability, and create lasting value.
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