3 Reasons Why Homes Don’t Sell (and What Sellers Are Doing Wrong)

Before becoming a Realtor, Niki Landry spent over 20 years as a registered dental hygienist, caring for people and easing their anxieties. Since 2021, she has applied those same skills to real estate, guiding clients through buying and selling with confidence and a smile.

Niki has a passion for architecture, design, and DIY projects, along with experience in building and remodeling. As a lifelong resident of Ponchatoula, she and her husband Darron enjoy supporting their sons’ college sports careers and traveling to explore American history and architecture. They are also dedicated to their community through the Charlie Landry Memorial Scholarship Foundation, supporting local high school seniors.

Selling your home should be an exciting step forward, but common missteps can turn it into a stressful and costly ordeal. Many sellers enter the market with the best intentions but make a few critical errors that scare away buyers and shrink their final profit. Let’s break down the three biggest mistakes you can make when listing your house.

Mistake #1: The trap of overpricing. It’s natural to have high hopes for your home’s value, especially when you have emotional ties or have invested in upgrades. However, pricing based on sentiment rather than data is the fastest way to stall your sale. Buyers and their agents are savvy; they will recognize an overpriced listing immediately and simply won’t schedule a tour.

The goal is to generate excitement and offers, and you can’t negotiate an offer you never received. Trust the comparative market analysis from your agent; pricing correctly from the start is the key to attracting multiple buyers and competing offers for your property.

Mistake #2: Ignoring necessary repairs. You may be accustomed to a dripping faucet or a loose handrail, but to a buyer, these issues signal a lack of care. Small, unresolved issues lead buyers to wonder, “What big problems are they hiding?” This perception directly translates into lower offers or, worse, no offers at all.

Before listing, walk through your home with a critical eye and fix all minor repairs. Address any potential safety hazards immediately, as these will be non-negotiable items during the inspection anyway. A well-maintained home inspires confidence and justifies a higher asking price. 

Mistake #3: Refusing to negotiate. The market has shifted, and today’s buyers often have more negotiating power. It is crucial to expect offers below the asking price or requests for seller concessions to help with closing costs. Adopting a rigid, take-it-or-leave-it attitude can kill a deal.

This is where having a skilled, top-producing agent on your side is invaluable. They can expertly navigate these conversations, protect your bottom line, and find a win-win solution that gets the deal to the closing table.

Selling your home doesn’t have to be a headache. By pricing strategically, presenting a well-maintained property, and entering negotiations with an open mind, you set the stage for a successful and profitable sale.

Ready to sell your home with a proven strategy? Contact The Tepper Group today at (985) 789-8717, email TGroup@kw.com, or visit our website www.FindNolaHomes.com to get more insights. Let’s get your home sold the right way.