Friday the 13th or Not… These 13 Mistakes Will Tank Your Sale

13 Real Estate Mistakes That Bring Bad Luck to Your Home Sale

Friday the 13th is all about superstition, but when it comes to selling your home, "bad luck" often comes down to avoidable choices. The good news? Most things that turn buyers off are totally within your control — and often easy to fix with the right guidance.

If your listing isn’t getting showings or offers, chances are one (or more) of these 13 common mistakes is working against you.

1. Overpricing from the Start

Buyers are smart. They’re looking at comps, analyzing trends, and getting advice from their agents. If your home is priced too high — even just a little — they’ll skip it without a second thought. Worse? It can make similar homes in your neighborhood look like a better deal.

What to do:
Start with a pricing strategy, not a wish. A competitive price attracts more eyes, which often leads to better offers. If you're not sure where to start, that’s exactly where a solid CMA (comparative market analysis) comes in.

2. Skipping Curb Appeal

The outside of your home is the first thing buyers see — and sometimes the only thing, if they don’t like what they pull up to. Overgrown landscaping, peeling paint, or dated fixtures can give off the wrong vibe before they ever reach the front door.

What to do:
Trim the hedges, pressure wash the siding, clean the windows, and maybe throw a new light fixture or welcome mat on the porch. You don’t need to drop thousands on landscaping — just make it look cared for.

3. Low-Quality or Incomplete Listing Photos

Today’s buyers shop with their eyes — and most of those eyes are scrolling on a phone. If your photos are dark, blurry, outdated, or missing entirely, buyers assume one of two things: either the house is a mess, or the seller doesn’t care.

What to do:
Hire a professional photographer. Period. Great photos increase clicks, showings, and even perceived value. It’s not a bonus — it’s a must.

4. Ignoring Minor Repairs

That door that sticks. The faucet that drips. The cabinet that doesn’t quite close. You may have learned to live with them, but buyers notice — and start mentally subtracting dollars from their offer.

What to do:
Walk through your home like you’re the buyer. Better yet, ask your agent to do it with fresh eyes. Then fix the obvious things. It signals to buyers that the home has been well maintained, which builds trust.

5. Not Deep Cleaning

You only get one chance at a first impression. And if buyers walk into dust bunnies, soap scum, and strange odors, their first impression will be “I want out.”

What to do:
Either roll up your sleeves or hire a professional cleaning crew before photos and showings start. Clean homes feel brighter, newer, and more welcoming — and they sell faster.

6. Leaving Clutter 

Even a clean home can feel chaotic if every surface is covered in stuff. Whether it’s paperwork, toys, or a collection of ceramic roosters, clutter makes spaces feel smaller and more personal — and buyers have a harder time seeing their own lives in the home.

What to do:
Start packing early. You’re moving anyway! Box up excess items, organize shelves, and clear surfaces. You want the house to feel lived in — not overwhelmed.

7. Overpersonalizing the Space

Buyers aren’t just shopping for walls and floors. They’re imagining their lifestyle in your home. That’s hard to do when every wall is covered in family photos, every room has a bold paint color, or one bedroom is entirely dedicated to your vintage doll collection.

What to do:
Neutralize where you can. Soft, warm tones, minimal decor, and a few tasteful pieces go a long way in helping buyers emotionally connect to the home.

8. Being Present During Showings

Sellers sometimes want to be helpful, pointing out upgrades or answering questions. But let’s be honest — hovering makes buyers uncomfortable. They’ll rush through the house and won’t feel free to open closets or discuss what they really think.

What to do:
Leave during showings. Grab coffee. Run errands. Go for a walk. Let buyers explore freely while your agent handles any questions or feedback.

9. Limiting Showing Times

If your home is only available for showings a few hours a week, you're missing out on potential buyers — especially the serious ones with packed schedules.

What to do:
Be flexible, especially in the first 1–2 weeks when interest is highest. Yes, it’s a little inconvenient, but it dramatically increases your chances of getting an offer quickly.

10. DIY Work That Shows

Buyers can spot a sloppy paint job or uneven tile. And when they do, they start to wonder what else you’ve tried to DIY — especially things they can’t see, like electrical or plumbing.

What to do:
If you’re not confident in your skills, call a professional. And if you already tackled some projects, make sure they’re cleaned up and finished well. It’s better to do a few things right than a bunch of things halfway.

11. Hiding or Avoiding Known Issues

Trying to gloss over major problems (like a roof leak or foundation crack) only delays the inevitable. Inspectors will find it, buyers will lose trust, and the deal may fall apart.

What to do:
Disclose honestly. If it’s a big issue, consider repairing it in advance or adjusting your price accordingly. Surprises during inspection are one of the biggest deal-killers in real estate.

12. Weak or Vague Listing Descriptions

If your listing sounds like “3 bed, 2 bath, needs some TLC,” buyers won’t get excited. They want to know what makes your home special, why they should come see it, and how it fits their lifestyle.

What to do:
Work with your agent to write a strong, engaging listing that highlights key features, recent upgrades, and location benefits. Think like a buyer and answer the questions they’d ask.

13. Choosing the Wrong Agent

Your agent should be your teammate, your advocate, and your strategist — not just someone who puts a sign in the yard and hopes for the best.

What to do:
Work with someone who knows the local market, communicates clearly, and has a solid plan to market your home. Experience, negotiation skills, and hustle matter.

Final Word

Selling your home doesn’t require good luck. It takes preparation, strategy, and the right support.

Whether it’s Friday the 13th or just a regular Tuesday, avoiding these 13 mistakes can make the difference between a stressful experience and a successful, profitable sale.