7 Common Home Selling Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Are you thinking about selling your home but not sure where to start? Selling can feel complicated, but here’s the good news: if you avoid a few common mistakes, you’ll dramatically improve your chances of selling faster and for more money.

Stick with me until the end, because I’ll also share the single most important thing to remember when selling your home.

I'm Lisa Salt with RE/MAX Vernon Salt Fowler. Let’s dive in.

Mistake #1: Taking iPhone Photos

Almost all buyers start their home search online—95% or more. Bad photos can sink your sale before anyone even books a showing. If your agent pulls out their phone to take listing photos, that’s a red flag. Poor lighting, awkward angles and fuzzy images make your home look less appealing than it really is.

Always insist on professional photography. Showcase your home on its best day—after it’s staged, cleaned and ready to go. Those high-quality photos are your first impression, and you only get one.

Mistake #2: Skipping Minor Repairs

Buyers notice everything—and if they don’t, the home inspector will. Broken blinds, scratched walls, leaky faucets, cracked tiles, even sticky doors can all raise red flags. Someone might still buy your home, but they’ll want a discount much larger than the repair costs.

Take care of these fixes ahead of time. It shows buyers your home is well maintained and move-in ready—and buyers love that.

Mistake #3: Clutter and Junk

The way we live in our homes isn’t the way we sell them. They’re two different things. I always recommend pre-packing—box up two or three boxes from every room of items you don’t use daily. Instantly, your rooms look bigger, cleaner and more inviting. It shows buyers you’re motivated and helps you mentally prepare for the move.

Mistake #4: Ignoring the Backyard

Curb appeal sells homes—but don’t forget the backyard. In summer and fall, buyers picture barbecues, family time and evenings outside. A messy yard full of broken patio furniture or old bikes kills that vision instantly.

Stage your outdoor space just like the inside: fresh grass, trimmed trees, clean patio and cozy seating. Water, mow and weed—it makes a huge difference.

Mistake #5: Hiding Problems

One of the first lessons I learned in real estate was: disclose, disclose, disclose. If your home had a roof leak, disclose it. If you did renovations without permits, disclose it. If your electrical trips when you run the AC and printer at the same time—disclose it.

Buyers will find out eventually. Being upfront might scare off a picky buyer, but it builds trust with the right one. Hiding problems leads to liability, stress and deals falling apart.

Mistake #6: Mispricing Your Home

Today’s buyers are informed. They track the market online in real time. If your neighbour sold for top dollar six months ago when the market was hotter, don’t expect the same now if things have cooled. Overpricing leads to your home sitting, going stale, and eventually selling for less than it should have.

The right strategy: know your competition, price realistically and get ahead of the market—not behind it.

Mistake #7: Letting Ego Get Involved in Negotiations

Real estate is a business deal. I’ve seen sellers get offended by a low offer and refuse to counter. Big mistake. Always counter and keep the conversation going—many lowball offers turn into great deals. Your goal isn’t to “win” the negotiation; it’s to sell your home smoothly.

Keep your cool, leave ego out of it and stay focused on the end result.

The Bonus Tip: Choose the Right Agent

The single most important factor when selling your home is choosing the right agent. An experienced professional guides you through staging, pricing, marketing and negotiation—helping you avoid every one of these pitfalls and ensuring a smoother, stress-free process.

If you’re thinking about selling, reach out anytime—and Just Add Salt.

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About the Author: The article above, The 7 Biggest Home Selling Mistakes (And How to Sell for More in Vernon, BC), was provided by Lisa Salt, an authority on Vernon BC and area real estate and a leader in the field of real estate blogging and vlogging.  Lisa and her group have helped literally helped thousands of families buy and sell homes since 1993. 

Looking to buy a home in the Vernon/North Okanagan area?  Check out "Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Home" article. It’s free of charge and will save you a ton of time!

Looking to sell?  We use the latest technology to get our clients’ homes sold quickly and for as much money as possible.

We help people buy and sell real estate in the following Okanagan/Shuswap areas: Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby, Lake Country, Lumby, Westside and Salmon Arm/Shuswap.

Call or Text 250-549-7258 or email webinfo@saltfowler.com