📲 Before You List… Or Buy…

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Let’s get one thing straight.

Homes are still selling. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, roughly 11,000 homes sell every single day in this country.

So what’s the difference between the homes that sell fast… and the ones that sit?

Strategy.

Inventory is up. Buyers are choosy. Negotiation is back. And the sellers (and agents) who win in 2026? They’ve adapted.

If you’re an agent reading this, this is your moment. Because when homeowners get this wrong, they don’t just lose time — they lose money. And that’s where you step in.

Let’s break down the biggest mistakes sellers are making right now — and how you can position yourself as the solution.

Mistake #1: Pricing Like It’s 2021

We all remember the frenzy. Multiple offers. Waived contingencies. Bidding wars.

But this isn’t that market.

Data from Realtor.com showed nearly 1 in 5 sellers had to drop their price last year. Why? Because they priced based on what their neighbor got “a few years back.”

That’s like trying to sell your used car for what it was worth brand new.

Overpricing today leads to:

• Fewer showings
  
  
• Lowball offers
  
  
• Longer days on market
  
  
• Price reductions that scream “something’s wrong”
  
  

And once a home sits, buyers smell blood in the water.

Smart Strategy:

Price for today’s buyer — not yesterday’s headlines. Study current comps. Understand active competition. Create urgency from day one.

As an agent, this is your leverage. Sellers need clarity, not ego.

Mistake #2: Skipping Repairs Buyers Now Expect

A few years ago? You could throw a house on the market “as-is” and still walk away with a premium.

Now? Buyers are comparison shopping like it’s Amazon.

According to NAR, about two-thirds of sellers are making repairs before listing. Why? Because homes are being judged side-by-side.

If yours feels dated, unfinished, or high-maintenance? Swipe left.

Smart Strategy:

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presentation.

Fresh paint. Minor repairs. Staging. Curb appeal.

Small tweaks = stronger emotional connection = stronger offers.

Great agents guide sellers toward high-impact, low-stress upgrades. That’s how you protect price and reduce negotiation pressure later.

Mistake #3: Refusing To Negotiate

Here’s the truth: negotiation is normal again.

Buyers are stretched financially. They’re asking for:

• Closing cost credits
  
  
• Minor repairs
  
  
• Price adjustments
  
  
• Inspection concessions
  
  

And when sellers refuse to flex? Deals fall apart.

Data from Redfin shows inspection and repair disputes were a major reason transactions fell through.

Hardball doesn’t work in a balanced market.

Smart Strategy:

Stay open. Stay strategic. Stay focused on net, not ego.

A $5,000 concession to save a $700,000 deal? That’s not losing — that’s closing.

Agents who coach sellers through this mindset shift become indispensable.

What This Means for Real Estate Agents in 2026

Here’s the opportunity.

Sellers are confused. They’re hearing mixed messages. They’re stuck between old expectations and new realities.

You can either:

• Be the agent who lists at any price to “get the sign”
  
  
• Or be the advisor who sets expectations and protects outcomes
  
  

The market doesn’t reward hopeful pricing anymore. It rewards strategic positioning.

And the agents who lean into data, preparation, and negotiation skills? They’re the ones building predictable pipelines.

Bottom Line

The sellers who succeed in 2026 aren’t doing anything extreme.

They’re:

• Pricing correctly
  
  
• Making smart updates
  
  
• Listening to market signals
  
  
• Negotiating with purpose
  
  

Small shifts. Big results.

And if you’re an agent? This is your chance to step up and lead.

📞 Call or text us at 855-935-MORE to get a personalized plan tailored to your home and your neighborhood!