10 Realtor Mistakes to Avoid in Your Home Sale

From proceeds to peace of mind, the right real estate agent can make all the difference when you sell your home. A great agent can help you price your home right, attract qualified buyers, and guide you to a smooth closing. While deal-killing Realtor mistakes are rare, they do happen, especially if you hire a part-time or inexperienced agent.

Below, we highlight some of the most common Realtor mistakes that can derail a home sale and what you can do to spot and prevent them early.

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1. Failing to communicate or listen to your concerns

A home sale involves dozens of moving parts, and steady, clear communication is what keeps them from falling apart. When an agent doesn’t return calls promptly, fails to provide updates, or brushes off your questions, small misunderstandings can turn into major frustrations.

Signs to watch for:

• You feel out of the loop about showings, offers, or next steps.
• Your agent seems defensive or dismissive when you ask questions.
• You’re always the one reaching out first.

How to avoid it:
Interview several Realtors before you sign a listing agreement. Ask about communication style, and be specific, such as how often you’ll get updates and by what method (phone, text, email). If your agent isn’t proactive, speak up early. Great agents welcome feedback and adjust their approach to meet your expectations.

2. Allowing you to overprice your home

A market-seasoned agent will not hesitate to push back when a seller insists on an unreasonably high asking price. Overpricing from the start can cause your listing to sit on the market, attract lowball offers, or require multiple price cuts that weaken your negotiating position. According to a recent HomeLight Top Agent Insights survey, overpricing is the No. 1 mistake sellers make.

Signs to watch for:

• Your agent agrees to your preferred price without presenting data or comparable sales (comps) information.
• Few or no buyers schedule showings in the first two weeks.
• The listing lingers while similar homes sell faster nearby.

How to avoid it:
Ask your agent to provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) and explain how they arrived at their suggested list price. A top agent will use market trends — not wishful thinking — to guide pricing that draws serious buyers early. For a preliminary ballpark estimate of what your home might be worth, try HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator.

3. Over-promising on your closing timeline

It’s natural for sellers to want a quick closing, but when an agent promises an unrealistically fast sale to win your business, disappointment can follow. Even in a hot market, delays from financing, inspections, or title issues can push timelines out. This is one of the more subtle Realtor mistakes to spot because you’ll want to believe what you’re hearing.

Signs to watch for:

• Your agent “guarantees” a specific closing date before seeing your home or discussing market conditions.
• They downplay potential hurdles, such as appraisal timing or buyer loan approval.
• The timeline feels “too good to be true.”

How to avoid it:
Ask your agent for a realistic range based on current local days on market (DOM) data and recent comps. A trustworthy agent will explain what factors could speed things up or slow them down. Setting clear expectations early helps you plan your move with less stress.

4. Not verifying a buyer’s financial readiness

This Realtor mistake can cause major delays and even kill your sale. Before you accept an offer, your agent should confirm that the buyer is preapproved for financing. If it’s a cash offer, the agent should be diligent about verifying that the funds are available and real. A top agent will also be able to spot common homebuying scams.

Signs to watch for:

• Your agent doesn’t request a preapproval letter or proof of funds.
• They encourage you to accept an offer without confirming where the money is coming from.
• You hear vague reassurances like “they’re good for it.”

How to avoid it:
Ask your agent to verify the buyer’s financial readiness before accepting an offer, and request to see the verification documents. Serious buyers will have documentation ready. With a cash offer, request confirmation from a reputable source, such as a bank statement or a confirmed verification letter.

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5. Failing to provide accurate or complete information

With the fate of your largest financial asset on the line, accuracy matters. From listing details to disclosure statements, you can’t afford this Realtor mistake. If your agent provides incorrect or incomplete information, it can cause confusion among buyers or even legal trouble (and expense) after the sale.

Signs to watch for:

• You notice errors in your listing, such as square footage, school district, or property taxes.
• Your agent gives inconsistent answers about your home’s features or disclosures.
• They rush you through paperwork without reviewing the details.

How to avoid it:
Review all listing materials carefully and speak up if something seems off or feels incomplete. A good agent double-checks details and welcomes your input. When in doubt, ask your agent to confirm information with county records or professional sources. Here again, ask to see the documents. It’s your home, and the Realtor works for you.

6. Neglecting to stay current with modern tools and marketing

Real estate technology is evolving fast. Agents who don’t adapt — whether it’s using AI-enhanced pricing tools, social media marketing, or virtual tours — can miss opportunities to reach qualified buyers and earn you the highest proceeds.

Signs to watch for:

• Your agent relies only on yard signs and the MLS for exposure.
• They seem unfamiliar with digital marketing, video tours, or online advertising.
• You never see your listing promoted across social channels.

How to avoid it:
In your hiring interviews, ask how the agent uses technology to market listings. Have them show you how their current homes are being promoted outside the MLS. A strong agent leverages multiple platforms and data tools to expand your reach. You can also compare local agents by using HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform.

7. Not tracking local market trends or pricing shifts

Housing markets can change quickly, sometimes month to month. An agent who doesn’t monitor local pricing trends, buyer demand, or inventory levels might advise you based on outdated information. An experienced agent will also be aware of the factors influencing home sales, such as a major employer expanding or relocating nearby.

Signs to watch for:

• Your agent can’t explain why similar homes nearby are selling faster or slower.
• They rely on old comps or ignore seasonal patterns and migration changes.
• Their advice doesn’t match what you’re hearing from appraisers or lenders.

How to avoid it:
Ask your agent how they track local market data and how often they adjust strategy. A top agent should be able to immediately answer this question and even provide you with links and sources they use to monitor market trends and home prices. If they hesitate, you may be talking to a part-time or less committed Realtor.

8. Failing to guide you through legal and disclosure requirements

Every state has rules about what sellers must disclose to buyers, such as known defects, repairs, or past flooding. If your agent doesn’t clearly explain your disclosure obligations, you could face legal issues later. Apart from a pricing error, this can be one of the most costly Realtor mistakes on our list.

Signs to watch for:

• Your agent downplays the importance of disclosures or says, “Just sign here.”
• You’re not provided with the correct state or local forms.
• You’re unsure what counts as a “known issue,” and the agent is being vague.

How to avoid it:
Make sure your agent walks you through the required disclosure forms and reviews them together before you sign. Ask enough questions to get a sense of whether the Realtor truly understands the laws in your city, county, and state. Transparency protects you from future claims and builds buyer trust.

9. Modifying contracts or terms without your knowledge

Your agent should always obtain your approval before making any changes to agreements or negotiations. Altering terms — even small ones — without consent is a breach of trust and professionalism. It’s also against the Realtor Code of Ethics and Professional Standards.

Signs to watch for:

• You find out terms were adjusted after you’ve signed.
• Your agent says they “went ahead” and made a change to keep things moving.
• There’s a lack of transparency during offer negotiations.

How to avoid it:
Review all contracts before they’re finalized, and never sign anything you haven’t fully read. Ask the agent to explain all contingencies or deadlines in your purchase offers. Clear communication and documentation prevent misunderstandings and protect your interests. You also should not find any unapproved modifications in the agent’s listing agreement.

10. Not providing a clear, proactive marketing plan

A well-defined marketing plan determines how quickly your home sells and for how much. Without one, your listing might go live quietly, missing key buyer audiences. Along with negotiation, marketing is a professional skill that you should expect when hiring an agent. Realtor mistakes in this area are a bright red flag and may be directly connected to mistake #6 above.

Signs to watch for:

• Your agent can’t articulate where and how your home will be marketed.
• There’s no mention of professional photography, virtual tours, or social media promotion.
• You feel like your home “just went up” without any fanfare.

How to avoid it:
Ask your agent to walk you through their full marketing plan before listing, including any open house events. Top agents typically have a multi-channel approach that includes digital marketing, professional imagery, and targeted outreach — and they won’t mind sharing details even before a listing agreement is signed.