{"id":2812,"date":"2017-08-21T13:41:49","date_gmt":"2017-08-21T20:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=2812"},"modified":"2025-09-17T08:55:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T15:55:38","slug":"selling-a-house-breaking-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/selling-a-house-breaking-bad\/","title":{"rendered":"What Breaking Bad Can Teach You About Selling a Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever watched Breaking Bad, real estate was probably the furthest thing from your mind. That is, unless you\u2019re thinking about the poor agent who hosted an open house with an active meth lab in the basement.<\/p>\n

Still, there is much that homeowners can learn from Breaking Bad when it comes to selling a house. Many of the characters in the show make mistakes and missteps not too dissimilar to those made by home sellers. From knowing the market to finding an attorney that knows real estate \u2013 here are a few things every seller can learn from Breaking Bad.<\/p>\n

Oh, and here is your only warning:<\/p>\n

BREAKING BAD SPOILERS BELOW<\/strong><\/p>\n

Learn Your Market<\/h2>\n

One of the earliest lessons Walter White learned in Breaking Bad was that he didn\u2019t understand his market at all. Walt finds himself in over his head and in trouble in his very first attempt to sell his product because he simply doesn\u2019t appreciate the various influences that define his market.<\/p>\n

You can avoid these pitfalls by keeping a constant eye on your local real estate market. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) publishes regularly updated housing statistics on its website<\/a>, including existing-home sales, median home prices, and pending home sales \u2013 all of these are good to know so you can predict how a sale or purchase might be affected.<\/p>\n

Beyond direct real estate data, it\u2019s also good to watch outside factors that can impact real estate markets. The U.S. Census Bureau offers free population estimates<\/a> and projections<\/a> that can help you monitor growth in your market and the Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> offers regional data on everything from unemployment to wages. These economic indicators are essential in understanding your buyers and sellers.<\/p>\n

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Source: (Alexander_dyachenko \/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Use Professionals \u2013 Not Amateurs<\/h2>\n

Much of Walt\u2019s earliest problems come from working with amateurs. Though he was himself an amateur at the time, it\u2019s still no excuse; even a first time home seller should know to hire pros they can trust. This goes for any service you may need before, during, or after a sale, including appraisers, home inspectors, and any professionals you bring in to give a quote or opinion.<\/p>\n

When Walter begins working with Gustavo Fring, his operation becomes safer, more reliable, and he ends up making a lot more money. Now while you may hope for a professional with less of a penchant for box cutters, the principle remains the same \u2013 professionals make your life easier. Though, to be fair, Badger and Skinny Pete can certainly make your life funnier.<\/p>\n

Consult an Experienced Attorney<\/h2>\n

\u201cWhen the going gets tough,\u201d Jesse Pinkman told Walt during a seminal moment, \u201dyou want a criminal lawyer.\u201d Similarly, when the going gets tough in the real estate game, it\u2019s good to have a real estate lawyer you can count on. Complex contracts, difficult negotiations, and complications with the property are all good reasons to consult a knowledgeable attorney. Here are a few other reasons you may want a legal expert to weigh in:<\/p>\n