Want to blow a real estate deal sky high? It’s easy.
Follow these 5 simple steps, and you’ll frustrate your seller, scare away buyers, and maybe even end up apologizing to your broker.
Too many homeowners — and let’s be honest, too many agents — walk into a sale thinking all they need to do is put a sign in the yard and wait.
That’s how average listings get average results.
If you want to actually get top dollar, earn repeat clients, and build a reputation that spreads like wildfire, you need to know what kills deals — and how to stop it before it starts.
Let’s break it down.
Mistake #1: Try to “Time the Market” Like a Genius
Here’s the thinking:
“We should wait for the spring rush.”
“I heard the market will be better in September.”
Translation? Paralysis. Missed opportunity. And bad advice.
The best time to sell is when:
- The client needs to move.
- The agent has a plan.
- And buyers are actively looking.
You don’t time the market — you control the process. Let the other agents chase trends. You create outcomes.
Mistake #2: Prep the Home Without Professional Guidance
This is one of the biggest face-palms in the industry. A seller slaps on a fresh coat of their favorite neon green paint, replaces the carpet with the cheapest option they can find, and proudly says, “We’re ready to list!”
Wrong.
When you don’t bring an expert in before prep starts, sellers waste time, money, and energy on changes that don’t add value — or worse, hurt it.
A smart agent walks the property first. They assess what actually moves the needle. Then they give the seller a strategic checklist that leads to a better showing, faster sale, and higher net.
Mistake #3: Trying to be a Discount Agent
You wouldn’t go to a mechanic who says they can fix your transmission with duct tape.
And even though sellers wants to “save money,” they need to factor in what’s really at risk:
- Lower sales price
- Longer time on market
- Stress, delays, and negotiation disasters
A weak agent can cost them tens of thousands.
Smart sellers hire pros. And smart agents explain this upfront — with case studies, stories, and real numbers.
Mistake #4: List Too High “Just to See What Happens”
This one might be the biggest killer of all.
“Let’s test the market.”
“We can always come down later.”
Here’s what actually happens:
- The listing sits.
- The traffic dies.
- Buyers assume something’s wrong.
- You drop the price and now it looks like desperation.
You want to generate multiple offers? You want leverage in negotiations?
Price to attract. Not to defend.
Great agents show sellers the real strategy — not wishful thinking.
Mistake #5: Don’t Let Your Sellers Forget That They Live Differently Than They Sell
The family photos, the oversized furniture, the mail stack on the counter — it’s all normal to live with. But it KILLS showings.
Buyers aren’t shopping for someone else’s life. They’re trying to imagine theirs.
That means:
- Decluttering ruthlessly
- Depersonalizing the home
- Making every room feel bigger, brighter, and more neutral
A smart agent helps the seller understand this. Not by criticizing — but by coaching.
Every one of these mistakes can sabotage a sale.
But Smart agents know to prevent all five.
They lead. They educate. They plan. They protect.
They don’t “list a home” — they run a full-scale operation designed to win.
And if you’re that kind of agent… you’re in the right place.
If you’re done watching deals fall apart because someone made a rookie mistake, and you want to become the agent who SAVES transactions — not just lists them…
Join My Priority List at www.gregsprioritylist.com
You’ll get an early sneak peek at my upcoming documentary, Real Estate Rescue, and gain access to free training and exclusive live events that will show you how to dominate in any market, with any client, in any situation.
Because real pros don’t guess. They don’t hope. They execute. Join the Priority List now — and become the agent who never lets a deal die on their watch.
To your unstoppable success,
Greg Luther
