Don’t Do THIS Before You Sell Your Home! (Seriously, Just Don’t) 🏡😂
So, you’ve decided to sell your home. Congrats! Maybe you’re upgrading, downsizing, or finally moving away from that neighbor who revs his truck engine at 5 a.m. every morning. Whatever your reason, selling a house is a big deal—but before you list it, let’s talk about a few things you should absolutely NOT do unless you want to scare off buyers faster than a snake in the front yard.
1. Don’t “Remodel” Without a Plan (Or Skills)
Listen, I love a good DIY moment as much as the next person, but now is not the time to channel your inner HGTV star if you have no idea what you’re doing.
🔨 Bad idea: Tearing out your kitchen cabinets the night before listing photos.
✔️ Good idea: Replacing that one cabinet door that your cousin Randy kicked off during last year’s football party.
If you’re going to make upgrades, keep them small, smart, and—most importantly—finished before potential buyers come through. Half-painted walls and a bathroom sink that’s “coming soon” are not selling points.
2. Don’t Get Too Creative with Paint Colors
Yes, your lime green living room might make you feel alive, and sure, the hot pink bedroom was a great idea for your “bold era.” But buyers? They just see more work.
When in doubt, stick with neutral colors (think white, beige, or those fancy “greige” shades that make decorators swoon). If someone walks in and feels like they need sunglasses, it’s time to repaint.
3. Don’t Leave Your “Fix-It List” for the New Owners
You know that leaky faucet? The one that only drips when it rains? And that one light switch that doesn’t actually turn anything on? Yeah… buyers will notice.
You don’t have to turn your home into a brand-new build, but fix the obvious stuff. Loose doorknobs, broken fence posts, and that wobbly step on the porch? Knock ‘em out now, or get ready for buyers to start mentally deducting from your asking price.
4. Don’t Go Overboard with Scented Candles & Air Fresheners
I get it—you want your house to smell amazing. But if buyers walk in and immediately get hit with a wave of “Fresh Meadow Explosion” that makes their eyes water, they’ll assume you’re covering something up.
Stick to light, clean scents—maybe a freshly baked pie if you’re feeling extra Southern. But please, for the love of all things real estate, don’t overdo it with the Febreze. Nobody wants to leave your house with a headache and questions.
5. Don’t Forget to Hide Your… Unique Collectibles
We all have stuff, but now’s the time to pack away anything that might make buyers scratch their heads.
👀 That deer head collection in the living room? Maybe just one is fine.
👀 The wall of Elvis memorabilia? Love it. Maybe scale it back.
👀 Your fridge covered in family reunion photos from the last 15 years? Time to declutter.
Buyers need to see themselves living there, not feel like they’re walking into a shrine to your hobbies.
6. Don’t List Your Home Before You’re Actually Ready to Move
Selling a house is exciting—until you realize you actually have to move. If you list your home and then get an offer immediately, can you pack up and be out in time? Or are you about to become the person frantically throwing everything into garbage bags and begging for an extension?
Plan ahead, line up your next living situation, and for goodness’ sake—start packing before you list. Your future self will thank you.
7. Don’t Scare Off Buyers with Strange Showing Behavior
If a buyer wants to see your house, leave. It’s weird when the current owners hover around, giving a personal history of every single room. “This is where Aunt Betty slipped on a banana peel in ‘92” is a fun story, but it’s not exactly helping the sale.
Let the buyers have space. If you must be home, at least give them some breathing room—nobody wants to tour a house while the owner watches them like a hawk from the recliner.
8. Don’t Forget About Curb Appeal
The inside of your house might be gorgeous, but if the outside looks like a haunted house, people won’t even get out of their cars.
🚜 Mow the lawn.
🌻 Plant some flowers.
🚪 Wipe down the front door (yes, people notice).
First impressions matter, and in a small town, word travels fast. You don’t want to be known as “the house with the scary porch” before you even get a chance to sell.
9. Don’t Get Too Greedy with the Price
I know—you love your house. You’ve lived in it, raised kids in it, maybe even survived a tornado in it. But that doesn’t mean it’s worth way more than every other house in town.
Overpricing = no offers.
Fair pricing = a sold house.
Trust your real estate agent (or at least check recent sales in your area). Buyers are smart, and no amount of “but it’s got good vibes” will justify an extra $50,000 on the price tag.
Final Thoughts: Just Don’t Make It Harder Than It Needs to Be
Selling a home in a small town is a lot different than selling in a big city. Your buyers might be folks you run into at the grocery store or people your cousin went to high school with. It’s all about making your home welcoming, clean, and move-in ready—without scaring anyone off in the process.
So, take a deep breath, fix what needs fixing, pack up the Elvis shrine, and get ready for your next adventure. Happy selling! 🏡💰✨