New home sellers face unexpected challenges within the intricate realm of real estate, potentially influencing the successful listing of a home for sale. To uncover these hidden pitfalls, we consulted with five seasoned professionals with ties to the real estate market. These experts, including a remodeling specialist and an insurance industry veteran, share original perspectives that highlight common blunders home sellers make during the home sales process.

Thomas Borcherding, Owner of Homestar Design Remodel:

“A costly mistake that I see home sellers make is remodeling their home in an attempt to profit from their home value. The reality is that you do not recoup 100% of the costs from home remodeling immediately, with the rare exception of garage door replacement. For instance, a mid-range bathroom remodel sees a cost recoup rate of 67%. A mid-range kitchen remodel has a cost recoup rate of only 42%. For this reason, it is best to list your home as is, as opposed to chasing profit through remodeling.”

Sebastian Jania, CEO, Ontario Property Buyers:

“One of the biggest mistakes I see home sellers make when it comes to selling a house is not getting a pre-listing inspection. The reason why a pre-listing inspection is so important is that it takes away any leverage that a buyer may have to renegotiate on a purchase price after an inspection, as a copy is readily available. Furthermore, what a pre-listing inspection does is that it increases the chances that a buyer will not include an inspection condition, meaning that there are fewer conditions, or perhaps even no conditions, for them to back out of the purchase. It’s very common in real estate negotiations for a buyer to pay a few hundred dollars to get a home inspection, but most people know that the majority of the time, this is simply used to try to knock off an extra $5,000 to $10,000 off the purchase price. A home seller should invest this money into getting their pre-listing inspection for a few hundred dollars, as the return on this pre-listing inspection can be massive.”

Kim Allcott, Partner at Allcott Associates LLP:

“As building surveyors, we see a lot of home sellers try to cover up flaws in their house—from oddly placed pictures to sofas and rugs in strange places; we have seen it all. If you get away with it, it may well help you get an offer, but a home inspector or building surveyor is likely to see past the decoys and spot the defects. Whether it’s the potential buyers who spot your cover-ups, or a surveyor, it erodes trust and leads to concerns that there might be other things you are hiding—even if the rest of the house is perfect! With that in mind, it’s best to be open about small defects so that buyers know they can trust you, and ultimately have the confidence to make an offer and complete the purchase.”

Samantha Odo, Real Estate Sales Representative and Montreal Division Manager at Precondo:

“One common mistake I often notice among home sellers is underestimating the power of first impressions. It’s not just about having a clean and tidy home for showings, although that’s crucial. It’s also about the online presence of your property. In this digital age, potential buyers often form their first impression through online listings and photos. So, my advice would be to invest in professional photography and ensure your online listing is as appealing as possible. Sometimes, sellers overlook this aspect, thinking buyers will understand the charm when they visit in person.”

Linda Chavez, Founder and CEO of Seniors Life Insurance Finder:

“Home staging is an important aspect of selling your home and can make a huge difference in attracting potential buyers. Yet, many home sellers neglect this step or don’t do it properly. Some may put minimal effort into decluttering and cleaning but fail to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that will help sell the home. This includes things like adding fresh flowers, adjusting lighting, and rearranging furniture to create a more spacious and appealing layout. Staging may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it can actually increase the value of your home and make it stand out in a competitive market. So, don’t underestimate the power of staging when selling your home; it could be the difference between a quick sale and having your home sit on the market for months.”

The insights gleaned from these seasoned professionals shine a light on the common pitfalls encountered by novice home sellers. By leveraging strategic practices, and understanding the nuances of presenting a property, sellers can navigate the challenges of real estate transactions with greater finesse and success.