3 Costly & Devastating Home Buying & Selling Mistakes You Must Avoid Now!
📅 Published: March 7, 2025
✍ By: Dominic & Hem-young deFazio – The deFazio Experience at Compass
Buying or selling a home? Avoid these home buying and selling mistakes that could cost you thousands—and learn how to make smart real estate decisions instead!
In today’s market, sellers risk sitting on the market too long if they don’t price correctly, while buyers need to know when and how to negotiate.
To help you avoid common pitfalls, we’re sharing the three biggest home buying & selling mistakes—and how you can avoid them.
1️⃣ Mistake #1: Overpricing—Common Home Buying and Selling Mistakes.
📌 For Sellers:
Many homeowners think, “I should price high so I have room to negotiate.” Wrong! Overpricing leads to:
- Fewer showings (buyers avoid overpriced homes)
- More days on the market, which signals that something is wrong
- Price reductions, which make buyers question the home’s value
- Overpricing doesn’t just scare off buyers—it can also lead to appraisal issues if a lender determines the home isn’t worth the selling price. If the appraisal comes in low, buyers may have to renegotiate or even walk away from the deal.
💡 Solution: Price strategically using a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine what buyers are truly willing to pay. Overpricing your home can turn buyers away. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) – Home Buying & Selling Resources, homes priced correctly from the start sell faster and for more money.
📌 For Buyers:
Just because a home is listed at a high price doesn’t mean it’s worth it. Overpriced homes tend to:
- Linger on the market longer, giving buyers negotiating power
- Lead to appraisal issues, which can delay or cancel a deal
- Be emotionally priced, meaning the seller has unrealistic expectations
💡 Solution: Work with an agent- Hem-young deFazio- who knows the local market and can spot overpriced homes so you don’t overpay.
2️⃣ Mistake #2: Bad Presentation—Home Buying and Selling Mistakes You Can Avoid.
📌 For Sellers:
First impressions make or break home sales. If your home isn’t well-presented, clean, and inviting, buyers will move on.
Common Presentation Mistakes:
- 📉 Cluttered rooms make spaces feel smaller.
- 🏚️ Bad listing photos reduce online engagement.
- 🌱 Poor curb appeal turns buyers away before they even walk in.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Declutter & deep clean before listing.
✔️ Use professional photos—homes with high-quality images sell 32% faster!
✔️ Small upgrades (like fresh paint & lighting) create a big impact.
📌 For Buyers:
Don’t judge a home by bad photos or outdated decor. Look at the “bones”—layout, natural light, structure, and neighborhood.
💡 Solution:
✔️ If a home is well-priced but poorly staged, you might get a great deal!
✔️ Imagine the home with your style instead of focusing on the seller’s choices.
3️⃣ Mistake #3: Poor Negotiation—Home Buying and Selling Mistakes That Costs You the Most.
📌 For Sellers:
Many sellers make emotional decisions instead of strategic ones.
Common Seller Negotiation Mistakes:
- ❌ Rejecting the first offer outright—often, early offers are the best ones!
- ❌ Refusing to negotiate on repairs can lead buyers to walk away.
- ❌ Being too rigid on closing terms, making the deal harder to close.
💡 Solution:
✔️ Be flexible & realistic—work with an agent – again, Hem-young deFazio- who can guide you through smart negotiations.
✔️ Consider the bigger picture—it’s not just about price, but terms and timing too.
📌 For Buyers:
Buyers often think, “I have to offer full price or I’ll lose the house.” Not always!
💡 Solution:
✔️ Know when to negotiate—homes on the market for 30+ days often have room for negotiation.
✔️ Ask for closing cost credits or minor repairs instead of just focusing on price.
✔️ Work with an experienced agent – Hem-young deFazio – to create a competitive but fair offer.
Conclusion & Next Steps
✅ Buying or selling? Avoid costly mistakes! For expert insights on the home buying and selling process, check out the National Association of Realtors’ Home Buyers and Sellers Resources, which provides useful market research and tips.
✅ The deFazio Experience at Compass is here to guide you.
📞 Call Hem-young at 626-825-5599
📧 Email h.defazio@compass.com
🌎 Visit more at www.aroundtownpasadena.com
🚀 Ready to make your move? Let’s chat today!
