Real Estate Agents Wish You Knew These 8 Things About Buying And Selling A Home
Buying or selling a home can feel like stepping into unknown territory. There’s a lot to juggle, everything from emotions, to timelines, to money, and even small missteps can cost you. Real estate agents deal with these situations every day, and while they do their best to guide clients, there are things they wish more people understood before diving in. Here are 8 honest, practical insights they want you to know.
1. The Market Won’t Wait for You
Timing matters. Some buyers hesitate too long, expecting prices to drop or better homes to appear. Sellers often overprice, hoping to “test the market.” In both cases, the market doesn’t bend to your ideal timing. It moves with or without you. Agents wish you knew that being prepared, realistic, and decisive can make all the difference, especially in competitive areas.
2. Online Estimates
Zillow, Redfin, and other online tools give ballpark figures, not promises. These estimates can be way off, be it high or low, because they don’t see inside the home or understand local nuances. Real estate agents want you to understand that pricing a home takes real, hands-on evaluation. Relying solely on an algorithm is a risky move.
3. Pre-Approval
If you’re buying, getting pre-approved before house-hunting is essential. Not just pre-qualified, pre-approved. It shows sellers you’re serious and saves everyone time. Many agents say deals often fall apart because buyers weren’t financially ready. You don’t want to find your dream home only to lose it because you didn’t do this first step.
4. Best Foot Forward
Negotiating is expected, sure, but lowball offers can backfire on you. Sellers notice when a buyer isn’t serious. Agents often watch deals die before they start because buyers assumed they’d get a second chance with a lower offer right away, but in hot markets especially, there may already be someone else offering the asking price. A strong, fair offer shows respect and keeps the door open.
5. Staging and Cleanliness Matter
When selling your home, buyers need to see themselves in your space. Dirty dishes, cluttered rooms, or outdated decor can make that really hard. Someone can bounce off the property entirely if you give them no room to see their vision. Agents wish sellers understood the power of first impressions. A clean, staged home doesn’t just look better, it sells faster and often for more.
6. Repairs Are Your Responsibility
Small repair issues might seem like no big deal to you, but they can stop a sale in its tracks. Things like a leaky faucet, broken tiles, or a stuck door give buyers the impression a home hasn’t been maintained. They might even assume there’s a lot more work to be done under the surface. Agents wish sellers would fix the basics ahead of time, it keeps potential buyers from ever planting those seeds of doubt.
7. Emotions Can Cloud Good Decisions
Buying or selling a home is personal, but it’s also a financial transaction. Agents often watch emotions derail deals. Sellers getting offended by feedback, buyers falling for a house that doesn’t meet their needs or is out of their budget, buyers pitching fake sob stories, it can get wild! Real estate agents want you to remember to stay grounded. The goal is to make a smart, lasting choice whether you’re buying or selling, not a rushed or defensive one.
8. Choosing the Right Agent
Working with your cousin’s friend or your neighbor’s sister as your realtor might seem convenient, but it isn’t always the smartest move, especially if they’re new to the business. Agents want you to work with someone experienced, informed, and who fits your needs, not just someone you know. If you know them and they have good reviews, then that’s great, but don’t pick someone just because you feel bad saying no. The right agent can protect your time, money, and sanity throughout the process.
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Buying or selling a home doesn’t need to be overwhelming, but it does require preparation, clear thinking, and the right guidance. Real estate agents do this work because they understand the ins and outs, but they can only help you if you’re open to the process. Take their advice, ask questions, and remember that everyone involved shares the same goal. Being informed and proactive puts you in a stronger position from the start.
Daniel Mitchell
