When buying a home, most people focus on the offer, inspection, appraisal and mortgage. But there’s another important piece that can affect whether you make it to the closing table:Homeowners
5 Things Sellers Should NOT Do Before Listing Their Home
Dated: September 20 2026
Views: 7
Getting ready to sell?
Sometimes the smartest thing you can do before listing your home is avoid doing too much.
I’ve seen homeowners spend money on improvements they didn’t need, make decisions based on incorrect information, or unintentionally make their home harder to sell.
Before you put that FOR SALE sign in the yard, here are five things I recommend discussing with a real estate professional.
1. Don’t Make Expensive Renovations Without Getting Advice First
That $20,000 renovation might look beautiful—but will buyers pay $20,000 more for your home because of it?
Not every improvement produces an equivalent return.
Sometimes relatively inexpensive improvements such as fresh paint, cleaning, landscaping, decluttering, lighting, or minor repairs can have a greater impact on a buyer’s first impression.
Before spending thousands, find out what buyers in your market actually value.
2. Don’t Choose Your Price Based on What You “Need” to Make
It’s completely understandable to have a financial goal.
Unfortunately, buyers don’t determine a home’s value based on what the seller needs to net.
They compare your property with competing homes and recent sales.
Overpricing can reduce buyer interest during the critical early marketing period and potentially lead to price reductions later.
A pricing strategy should be based on market evidence—not emotion.
If you know about an issue with the property, don’t assume the best strategy is simply not to mention it.
Disclosure requirements vary depending on the property and circumstances, and sellers should understand their obligations.
Trying to conceal a material issue can create much larger problems later.
4. Don’t Ignore the First Impression
Buyers begin forming opinions before they walk through the front door.
Overgrown landscaping, peeling paint, cluttered entrances, dirty windows, burned-out light bulbs, odors, and excessive personal belongings can distract buyers from the home’s positive features.
You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune.
You need to make the home look clean, cared for, welcoming, and easy for buyers to imagine as their own.
5. Don’t List Before You Have a Plan
Where are you going after the home sells?
Do you need to purchase another property?
How much equity do you expect to have available?
How quickly could you move?
What happens if your home sells faster—or slower—than expected?
Selling isn’t just about putting a property online. It’s a financial transaction and often a major life transition.
The best time to develop your selling strategy is before the property hits the market.
Start With a Conversation
If you’re considering selling—even if it’s six months or a year away—talk with an experienced real estate professional before you start spending money preparing the property.
A little planning on the front end can prevent expensive mistakes later.
Thinking about selling? I’ll be happy to walk through your home, discuss what I would change, what I wouldn’t change, and what today’s buyers are looking for.
MARLENE BERNASCONI
Principal Broker | Instructor
Residential | Commercial | Relocation
Weichert Realtors, Saxon Clark – Johnson City, TN
Johnson City Chamber Ambassador
📱 423-444-4360 Cell (Preferred)
📞 423-342-3600 Office
📧 RealEstateByMarleneB@gmail.com
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Marlene Bernasconi
With more than 27+ years of real estate expertise and a proven leadership track record across multiple markets, Marlene Bernasconi stands as a trusted force in East Tennessee real estate. As Principal....
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