Studies have shown that selling a home yourself has come with a high percentage of regrets, nearly 90% in one of the studies. Nearly 50% of sellers say they made legal mistakes and about 40% say buyers did not trust them.
Sellers found that closing costs were higher than expected and most said they would make different choices if they had it to do again. It’s understandable that selling your home yourself might seem like a money-saver, but many homeowners end up with these common regrets:
- Incorrect PricingWithout a deep understanding of the local market, it’s easy to price too high or too low, both leading to unwanted results.
- Skipping RepairsBuyers notice the little things. Deferred maintenance can lead to lower offers—or no offers at all. The little things count; you’ve lived with things the way they are and often don’t see it the way a buyer will.
- Time Management OverloadCoordinating showings, open houses, inspections, and paperwork is a major time commitment most sellers’ underestimate. Let’s not even get started on advertising, advertising costs and vetting buyers for being financially capable of purchasing your home.
- Emotional Involvement & Lack of Negotiation SkillsIt’s hard not to take or low offers personally. A seasoned negotiator helps keep the transaction professional—and productive.
- Limited Understanding of Escrow & TitleThese aren’t just buzzwords—they’re key parts of the sale. Mistakes here can cause delays or derail the deal entirely.
- No Knowledge of California-Specific ReportsCalifornia requires several property reports and disclosures (like the TDS, NHD, and more). Missing one can delay the process or create legal risks.
- Disclosure MistakesFailing to properly disclose known issues isn’t just risky—it can lead to lawsuits; do you know what material facts are? Full disclosure isn’t optional in California.
Moral of the story? Selling a home is more than putting a sign in the yard. Having a local trusted pro in your corner can save you time, money, and major headaches. You can find your local agent ready to help you, at RREA.org.
Karen Domnitz is vice president of the Ramona Real Estate Association and a Realtor with CENTURY 21 d. DRE #00897503
