Real stories. Real advice. Real estate ridiculousness.
By Wyatt Poindexter – The Agency Oklahoma
Selling a home should be an exciting, streamlined process. You hire a great Realtor (hopefully one from The Agency), you prep your house, you price it right, and voilà—you’re packing boxes and popping champagne.
Except... sometimes sellers make a few creative choices that turn their listing into a real-life episode of Real Estate Gone Wrong.
Here are the Top 10 Ridiculous Things Sellers Do That Can Absolutely Tank Their Home Sale—with just enough humor to soften the blow. If you’ve done any of these… we forgive you. Sort of.
1. Leaving 47 Family Photos in Every Room
We get it—you love your family. Grandma’s quilted photo wall, the baby’s first bath pic, and that engagement photo in the field with the rustic barn. But buyers want to imagine their future here, not relive yours. If buyers leave your house knowing your dog's name but not where the pantry is… we’ve got a problem.
2. Overpricing the Home “Just to See What Happens”
Spoiler alert: nothing happens. Your overpriced listing sits while every other home gets offers. Then we end up explaining that “testing the market” is not the same as “selling your house.” Price it right or prepare for crickets—and not the peaceful, country kind.
3. Refusing to Leave for Showings
Yes, let’s hover by the kitchen island while buyers awkwardly whisper, "Is that the owner?" Bonus points if you offer snacks and follow them into every room like a tour guide with trust issues.
4. Leaving Dirty Laundry in the Bathroom
Nothing screams "move-in ready" like last night’s socks and a half-eaten granola bar on the vanity. We’ve seen more unmentionables than we care to admit. For the love of the sale—tidy up.
5. Turning the Living Room Into a Home Gym / Reptile Room / Doll Museum
Fun fact: buyers love neutral spaces. Less fun fact: they don’t want to meet your tarantula or a porcelain baby doll with glass eyes staring at them from a rocking chair. Let’s just say… unique hobbies should be packed up early.
6. Following Buyers Around with “Helpful Information”
Sellers, we appreciate the enthusiasm. But buyers don’t need a 10-minute history of your custom grout or a demonstration of how the Nest thermostat works. Let the Realtor do their job. Trust us—it’s in everyone’s best interest.
7. Leaving Pets Loose During Showings
“Oh don’t worry, he’s friendly!” That’s what everyone says right before Fluffy jumps on the buyers, sheds all over their black pants, or bolts out the front door like it’s a jailbreak. Just… crate the cat. Or better yet, take a little field trip with your furry friend.
8. Burning Strong Candles or Overusing Air Fresheners
Buyers shouldn't feel like they’ve walked into a Bath & Body Works warehouse explosion. One well-placed subtle scent is fine. Four Glade plug-ins and a pumpkin spice candle in July? That just screams, “What are they trying to hide?”
9. Refusing to Declutter Because “That’s Just How We Live”
You may function fine with stacks of mail, 14 cereal boxes, and 7 remote controls—but buyers won’t. If your dining room looks like a cross between a daycare and a storage unit, it’s time to embrace minimalism (or at least the illusion of it).
10. Ignoring Your Agent’s Advice (While Still Expecting Top Dollar)
You hired a pro. So listen when they suggest a paint touch-up, a light fixture update, or pricing it based on actual comps—not what your cousin in Tulsa thinks it’s worth. Trust the process, not your group text.
Final Thoughts: We Love You, But…
Here’s the deal: selling a home is emotional. It’s your castle, your memories, your sweat equity. But once it hits the market, it’s a product—and it needs to be marketed like one.
The good news? Most of these mistakes are easy to fix with the right guidance. And that’s what we’re here for. Whether it's Newcastle, Nichols Hills, or a cabin in Broken Bow, The Agency Oklahoma is ready to help you navigate the chaos, laugh through the learning curves, and ultimately—get it sold.
Because at the end of the day, our job is to get you from “For Sale” to “Sold” without a meltdown. Preferably with a few laughs along the way.
Cheers to clean counters, locked up lizards, and listening to your Realtor. Let’s get your home sold.
Want help selling without the drama?
Call me anytime.
Wyatt Poindexter | The Agency Oklahoma
405-417-5466 | www.WyattPoindexter.com
