Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
Avoid These Seller Mistakes: What Not to Do When Listing Your Home
Selling your home can be one of the most exciting—and stressful—experiences in real estate. And while Central Illinois continues to offer strong opportunities for sellers in 2025, success isn’t guaranteed. In fact, many homeowners unknowingly make mistakes that cost them money, time, or both.
Today, let’s flip the script. Instead of just talking about what to do, here’s a list of what not to do when preparing to sell your home—and how to get it right the first time.
1. Overpricing the Home
Let’s start with the big one. Overpricing your home is like putting up a giant “Do Not Disturb” sign for buyers. Sure, you might get lucky, but most often, the home sits… and sits… until you’re forced to make price drops that raise red flags.
Buyers in the Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford County areas are savvy. They’re watching price trends, comparing value, and working with agents who know what’s fair. A well-priced home will generate more showings, more interest, and in some cases—multiple offers.
Pro Tip: Partner with a local expert (like me!) who knows the market inside and out. I’ll give you an honest valuation backed by data—not guesses or flattery.
2. Skipping the Deep Clean and Declutter
Buyers aren’t just buying a structure—they’re buying a feeling. If your home is cluttered, dusty, or disorganized, it’s harder for them to picture themselves living there.
And no, you don’t have to stage every room like a HGTV set. But the difference between “lived-in” and “ready-to-show” is significant.
Pro Tip: Use my Cleaning & Decluttering Checklist—it’s part of my seller toolkit and helps you focus on what matters most before photos or showings begin.
3. Using Low-Quality Photos (or Taking Them Yourself)
Yes, even in 2025, I still see homes hit the market with dark, blurry, or poorly framed photos. Your online photos are the first showing—and they can make or break whether someone even books a real one.
For homes that show well, I bring in professional photography, including drone shots and video walk-throughs when appropriate. For lower-priced homes or those needing work, I’m trained in real estate photography and know how to capture the home’s best features without exaggerating.
4. Being Home During Showings
This is an awkward one, but it’s important. Sellers who stay home during showings often think they’re helping—pointing out features or answering questions. But buyers feel rushed, uncomfortable, and like they’re intruding. They don’t linger, they don’t engage—and they probably won’t offer.
Pro Tip: Trust your agent. I’ll highlight your home’s features and handle buyer questions professionally. You focus on being out of the house so the buyers can focus on falling in love with it.
5. Ignoring Repairs and Maintenance
You’ve lived with that dripping faucet or squeaky door for years… but to a buyer? It screams “neglect.”
Small repairs matter. In fact, the little things are often what convince a buyer that a home has been well cared for.
Pro Tip: I’ll walk your home before listing and give you a customized punch list of repairs that are worth doing (and which ones you can skip).
6. Being Unavailable for Showings
Restrictive showing schedules = missed opportunities. The more buyers who see your home, the better your odds of a strong offer. If your home can only be shown from 5–6 PM on weekdays and not on weekends, you’re eliminating a massive chunk of the buyer pool.
Pro Tip: Use a smart lockbox and set flexible times. I’ll work with your schedule while maximizing showings—because that’s how homes get sold.
7. Not Hiring the Right Agent
This might be the biggest mistake of all. Real estate isn’t just about putting a sign in the yard—it’s about negotiation, marketing, exposure, networking, and protecting your interests from listing to closing.
Hiring a part-time agent, a friend-of-a-friend, or the cheapest option might save a few bucks on commission… but it could cost thousands in your final sale price or drag the process out for months.
Pro Tip: Choose someone with proven experience in the Central Illinois market. Someone who has sold over 1,000 homes, knows every subdivision, and fights hard for your results.
Real Estate? Call Duvall!
📞 309-200-5480 | 🌐 CallDuvall.com
