Overpricing, weak photos, poor staging, and the wrong upgrades can cost sellers 5% to 10% of their equity.

Why do some homes sell quickly while others sit on the market and eventually expire? Sometimes we’re invited in as the second agent when a property fails to sell. Sellers are usually looking for an objective opinion on what caused the home not to sell and what needs to change before going back on the market.

There are four common mistakes we consistently see that cost sellers both time and money.

Mistake no. 1: Overpricing. When you overprice a home, you’re essentially testing the market at a price buyers are not willing to pay. That testing period adds days on market. As those days accumulate, buyers start to wonder what’s wrong with the property. 

Eventually, when you reduce the price to where it should have been in the first place, you often end up negotiating even further because the listing feels stale. In many cases, overpricing can cost homeowners anywhere from 5% to 10% of their equity. Pricing it right from day one protects your value.

Mistake no. 2: Weak photography. Today’s buyers shop online first. If your photos don’t stand out, buyers may never schedule a showing. 

“When you overprice, you’re testing the market, and the market always wins.”

We’ve found that professional photography can generate 60% to 70% more views online, which means more exposure and more opportunity for offers. Weak photos can cost you between 1% to 5% of your equity simply because fewer buyers walk through the door.

Mistake no. 3: Not staging or preparing the home properly. Staging doesn’t necessarily mean renting all new furniture. It means decluttering, arranging furniture correctly, removing distractions, and highlighting the home’s best features. When a home feels crowded, dated, or poorly presented, buyers struggle to picture themselves living there. 

Sellers who skip proper prep can lose anywhere from 1% to 10% of their home’s value. Taking the time to stage creates a better showing experience and positions you for stronger offers.

Mistake no. 4: Over-improving or under-improving for the market. Some sellers invest in projects that don’t increase value at all. Others ignore updates that buyers expect in their price range. This miscalculation can cost at least $5,000, sometimes much more. Not every improvement delivers a return, so it’s important to know which projects actually move the needle in your specific market.

If you’re unsure about pricing, staging, or which updates make sense, we’re happy to help. You can reach us at (651) 998-9829 or info@holzgroup.com. We sell a home every three to four days, and we’d be honored to provide a no-obligation, complimentary second opinion.