Are you thinking about selling your house? Some common mistakes today can make the process more stressful or even cost you money.
Fortunately, they’re easy to avoid, as long as you know what to watch for. Let’s break down the biggest seller slip-ups, and how an agent helps you steer clear of them.
It’s completely natural to want top dollar for your house, especially if you’ve put a lot of work into it. But in today’s shifting market, pricing it too high can backfire. Investopedia explains:
“Setting a list price too high could mean your home struggles to attract buyers and stays on the market for longer.”
And your house sitting on the market for a long time could lead to price cuts that raise red flags. That’s why pricing your house right from the start matters.
A great real estate agent will look at what other homes nearby have sold for, the condition of your house, and what’s happening in your market right now. That helps them find a price that’s more likely to bring in buyers, and maybe even more than one offer.
The housing market has nearly a half million more sellers than buyers according to Redfin. That means you have more competition as a seller and may have to do a bit more to get your house ready to sell. But not all projects are going to be worth it. If you spend money on the wrong projects, it could really cut into your profit.
A local real estate pro knows what buyers in your area are really looking for, and they can help you figure out which projects are worth it, and which ones to skip. Even better, they’ll know how to highlight any upgrades you make in your listing, so your house stands out online and gets more attention.
Now that inventory has grown, it’s important to stay flexible. Buyers have more options – and with it comes more negotiating power. U.S. News explains:
“If you’ve received an offer for your house that isn’t quite what you’d hoped it would be, expect to negotiate . . . make sure the buyer also feels like he or she benefits . . . consider offering to cover some of the buyer’s closing costs or agree to a credit for a minor repair the inspector found.”
That’s where your agent comes in. They’ll help you understand what buyers are asking for, what’s normal in today’s market, and how to find a win-win solution. Sometimes making a small compromise can keep the deal moving and help you move on to your next chapter faster.
All of these mistakes are avoidable with the help of a skilled agent. So, you want to be sure you’re working with the right partner. Still, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 81% of sellers pick the first agent they talk to.
Many homeowners may skip basic steps like reading reviews, checking sales history, and interviewing a few agents. But that’s a mistake. You want someone you know you can rely on – someone with a good track record. The right agent can help you price your house right, market it well, and sell it quickly (and maybe for more money).
Selling a house doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you have an experienced agent by your side. Connect with a local agent so you have an expert to help you avoid these common mistakes and make the most of your sale.
What’s one thing you’d want expert advice on before putting your house on the market?
Are you looking for better home prices, or even a lower mortgage rate? You might find both in one place: a newly built home. While many buyers are overlooking new construction, it could be your best opportunity in today’s market. Here’s why.
There are more brand-new homes available right now than there were even just a few months ago. According to the most recent data from the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 1 in 5 homes for sale right now is new construction. So, if you’re not looking at newly built homes, you’re missing out on a big portion of what’s available.
And with more new homes on the market, builders are motivated to sell their current inventory. As a result, many are taking steps to draw in buyers.
According to Buddy Hughes, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB):
“Almost 40% of home builders reduced sales prices in the last month . . .”
That means builders are being realistic about today’s market and adjusting to what buyers can afford. It’s their way to keep their inventory moving.
So, builders may be more willing to negotiate price than you’d expect – and that means your dollar may go further if you buy a newly built home. Lean on your agent to see what’s available and what incentives builders are offering in and around your area.
Here’s something most people don’t know. Right now, buyers of brand-new homes often get better mortgage rates than buyers of existing homes.
That’s because many builders are also offering rate buydowns to make their homes more attractive and keep sales moving. Basically, they’re willing to chip in to lower your rate, so you’re more likely to buy one of their homes.
Data from Realtor.com shows, in 2023 and 2024, buyers of newly built homes got a mortgage rate around half a percent lower compared to those who bought existing homes (see graph below):
That kind of savings adds up and makes a big difference when you’re figuring out your monthly budget.
So, if you haven’t found something you love yet, it’s time to add newly built homes to your search. You may find that what you’ve been looking for is already out there, it’s just in a new home community.
More choices, the potential to negotiate on the price, and maybe even better mortgage rates make these options a bright spot in today’s housing market.
If you haven’t considered a newly built home yet, what’s holding you back?
Talk to a local real estate agent about what’s available and if a newly built home makes sense for you.
Over the past few years, affordability has been the biggest challenge for homebuyers. Between rapidly rising home prices and higher mortgage rates, many have felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.
But, something pretty encouraging is happening. While affordability is still tight, mortgage rates have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months. And that may finally make it a bit easier to plan your move.
Over the past year, mortgage rates have had their share of ups and downs, making it tough for buyers to know what to expect. But recently, rates have started to level out and have settled into a more narrow range (see graph below):
As the graph shows, rates have stayed within that half-percentage-point since late last year. Yes, there’s been movement within that range, but wild swings and sudden ups and downs just haven’t been the story lately. And that’s a bigger deal than you may realize. As HousingWire explains:
“Analysts, economists and mortgage professionals are coining this quarter’s activity as one of the most “calm” periods for mortgage rates in recent memory.”
Let’s be real. Unpredictability makes it tough to plan ahead. When rates are bouncing around and making big jumps week to week, it’s easy to be intimidated. But with rates staying in a pretty steady range over the past several months, you have a clearer picture of what your potential monthly payment could look like. That makes moving feel less uncertain – and more doable.
So, stop waiting. And start planning. Even though rates may not be where you want them to be right now, they have been much less volatile for quite some time.
According to the experts, it looks like that stability might hang around for a bit. Rates may come down ever so slightly in the months ahead, but it’ll likely be a slow and mild change. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, says:
“I expect a generally downward trend for rates this year, but at a slow enough pace that it might not be noticeable in any given month.”
So, if you’ve been holding out for the perfect mortgage rate, the best advice is to avoid trying to time the market. It may not look terribly different than the opportunity you already have in front of you. As Jeff Ostrowski, Housing Market Analyst at Bankrate, explains:
“Trying to time mortgage rates is really difficult. There’s no guarantee that rates are going to be any more favorable in three months or six months.”
And if we look at the latest expert forecasts that go out a bit further, even those tell much of the same story. Two out of the three projections say rates will still likely be in the mid-6% range by the end of 2026 (see graph below):
This puts today’s buyers in a much better spot. As Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, explains:
“Mortgage rates have moved within a narrow range for the past few months . . . Rate stability, improving inventory and slower house price growth are an encouraging combination . . .”
Just remember, mortgage rates are still going to react to changing economic conditions, inflation, and more – and that means they could shift again. But right now, you’ve got more predictability, and that means more opportunity, too.
While affordability is still a challenge, the market may be offering a bit more stability – and that makes planning your next move a lot easier.
Connect with an agent or a lender if you want to run the numbers and see what a monthly payment would look like in today’s market. That way you can stop waiting and start planning.