Let’s be clear you can sell your house right now. The National Association of Realtors reports that about 11,000 homes are sold every day in the U.S.

The sellers who are succeeding have one thing in common: they’ve updated their strategy to fit today’s market. They recognize that inventory has increased, buyers are more selective, and expectations are higher.

Sellers who are having trouble often come into today’s market with outdated expectations. Here are the three biggest mistakes they make and how to avoid them.

1. Pricing Based on What Their Neighbor Got a Few Years Back

Setting your price is the most important decision you make when selling a home, and it’s also the one most often mishandled. Realtor.com data show nearly one in five sellers in 2025 had to drop their price. Here’s what those sellers did wrong.

Buyers have more options and more room to negotiate now that inventory has grown. And if your house feels overpriced, most buyers won’t even bother taking a look. That’s why pricing too high often leads to:

• Fewer showings

• Less competitive offers or lowball bids

• More time sitting on the market

And let’s be honest, those are three things you definitely don’t want to deal with.

So what should you do instead? The good news is, it’s pretty simple. Price your home for today’s buyer, not yesterday’s headlines.

Rely on your agent’s knowledge of recent comparable sales, what you’re competing against right now, and how buyers are actually behaving in your local market. That’s how you find that pricing sweet spot that creates interest, drives traffic, and builds urgency from day one.

2. Trying To Skip Repairs That Buyers Now Expect

A few years ago, you could sell your house as is and still walk away with well over your asking price. Today, that’s not really the case. Right now, NAR reports that about two thirds of sellers are making at least a few repairs before listing.

The reason is simple. With more homes on the market, buyers compare properties side by side. If a home doesn’t show well or feels dated, it will lose attention fast, even for minor issues.

What should you do instead? Start by asking your agent which high impact, low stress updates they’d suggest for your home. The goal isn’t to make everything perfect. It’s to help buyers picture themselves moving in without already thinking about a long to do list. A few smart investments in staging, simple repairs, and curb appeal can go a long way in how quickly offers come in and how strong those offers end up being.

3. Playing Hardball When Buyers Try To Negotiate

Today's buyers are focused on affordability. With budgets stretched, they'll be more selective and likely ask for concessions from you. That might mean making repairs, offering a credit at closing, or reducing your asking price by a few thousand dollars. Negotiating is back to being normal.

If an issue comes up during the inspection, be ready to talk it over. If you’re not willing to negotiate, your buyer may walk away. Many sellers are learning this the hard way. Redfin found that inspection and repair problems were a major reason home sales fell through in 2025. Chances are, those homeowners weren’t willing to be flexible to get the deal done.

What should you do instead? Sit down with your agent and make sure you really understand what buyers in your area care about most. Price your home in line with its true value, present it clearly and confidently, and stay open to reasonable negotiations that help keep the deal moving forward.

Bottom Line

Sellers who do well in today’s market aren’t taking drastic steps. They price their homes correctly, focus on targeted repairs, work with local experts, and make choices based on how buyers actually shop now. Those small but powerful adjustments can determine whether your sale succeeds.

Want a personalized plan for your home and neighborhood? Let’s talk.