Avoid These 5 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home...

Hey there, future home sellers — congratulations on taking this big step. Selling your first home is exciting ... but it’s also full of potential pitfalls. As a seasoned real estate professional in the Alamo City, I want to make sure you don’t leave money on the table or linger on the market because of avoidable mistakes.

Here are five expensive mistakes first-time sellers often make — and how to dodge them, Texas-style — based on expert insights.

1. Pricing Too High (Because of Emotional Attachment)

One of the most common—and costly—missteps is overpricing your home. As one expert put it, sellers often fall victim to sentimentality: “Your home holds memories … but those don’t always translate into market value.” Real Simple

In San Antonio, where many homes are now selling below their original asking price, this mistake is especially real. Axios If your price is too rich, you risk long days on market, price reductions, and buyers questioning whether something is wrong.

What to do instead:

• Trust a local Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Use recent San Antonio sales in your ZIP code or neighborhood — not just national trends.

• Be realistic. Your agent should walk you through what similar homes actually closed for, not just what they’re listed at.

• Think strategy: a well-priced home can create more urgency, possibly lead to multiple offers, and ultimately fetch more net profit than an inflated one.

2. Not Neutralizing Your Home Properly

Buyers need to see themselves living in your space — and that’s tough when your walls are neon, or your décor screams “my style, not theirs.” Professionals warn against leaving in highly personal or bold design choices because they make it hard for people to emotionally connect. Real Simple

San Antonio tip:
Our city has a blend of architectural styles — from historic King William homes to modern Stone Oak builds. Tailor your staging so that it feels broadly appealing: store away eccentric items, paint out very bold wall colors (if affordable), and minimize clutter. This helps prospective buyers imagine their own lives here, whether they’re drawn to Southtown charm or suburban serenity.

3. Overlooking “Screen Appeal” (Your Online First Impression)

In 2025, many buyers shop entirely online before stepping foot into a home. According to Zillow data, listings with high-resolution photos, 3D tours, and interactive floor plans can sell for 2% more. Real Simple That might not sound like much — but on a $300K+ home, that’s thousands of dollars.

How to maximize your screen appeal:

• Hire a Real Estate Agent who only works with professional real estate photographers. Quality makes a difference.

• Stage your home (virtually or physically). I’ve seen great ROI from even “light staging” — tidy furniture, a few neutral decorative pieces, fresh landscaping.

• Make small but smart fixes before the photos: touch-up paint, pressure wash the driveway, clean windows. These little things can have a big impact in photos.

4. Choosing the Wrong Agent

Not all real estate agents are created equal — and picking the wrong one can cost you money, time, and stress. Real Simple Too many first-time sellers choose based on friendship or convenience, rather than experience, expertise, or marketing strategy.

To find the right agent in San Antonio:

• Look for someone with local experience: knowledge of San Antonio micro-markets (like Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, or the far West Side) matters.

• Ask for a marketing plan: what will they do to present your home? Do they use professional photography, social media, virtual tours?

• Don’t be afraid to talk commission. It’s okay to negotiate or at least understand what they’re offering in return for their fee. Real Simple

5. Ignoring Odors (Yep, That Matters)

Smells are sneaky — and sellers often don’t realize how noticeable or off-putting certain odors are to buyers. According to experts, “neutralizing smells” is just as important as decluttering. Real Simple

Here’s how to handle it:

• Ask a trusted friend to walk through before you list and point out any smells you’ve gotten used to (pets, cooking, smoke, etc.).

• Use an air purifier ahead of showings. It’s a small investment, but it signals you care about the home’s presentation.

• Deep clean carpets, upholstery, and HVAC filters if needed — sometimes a surface clean isn’t enough.

Why These Mistakes Hit First-Time Sellers Harder

• Experience gap: Many first-time sellers don’t know what they don’t know.

• Emotionally invested: You’re selling your home, not just a house.

• Less margin for error: For many, this sale is tied to their next life move — whether buying, relocating, or upgrading.

But here’s the good news: all of these mistakes are avoidable — and with the right plan and a local-savvy agent, you can sidestep them and maximize your return.