Selling a house can be a stressful process. As a seller, you want to present your property in the best possible light to potential buyers. However, there are certain things you should avoid saying that could turn buyers off or even get you in legal trouble.
Don’t Lie About the Home
First and foremost, never lie about your home during the sales process. This includes exaggerating square footage, misrepresenting renovations or upgrades, hiding defects, or making the home seem better than it really is. You are legally required to disclose any known material defects about the property. Lying could open you up to lawsuits down the road.
Avoid Critical Comments About the Home
It’s best not to point out flaws in your own home. Let the buyers discover them on their own. Don’t call attention to dated finishes, creaky floors, or other aspects that may turn off buyers. Present your home in the best possible light.
Don’t Criticize the Neighborhood
Even if there are some neighbors you don’t like or aspects about the area that bother you, don’t share those opinions with potential buyers. Stay positive when describing the neighborhood and community. You don’t want to accidentally steer buyers away.
Stay Neutral About Local Schools
School quality is a top factor for families shopping for homes. However, it’s best to stay neutral when asked about local schools. Provide objective data on test scores, but don’t offer strong opinions either way.
Skip Talk About Why You’re Selling
Buyers don’t need to know all the personal reasons why you’ve decided to sell your home. Divulging too much could actually work against you. For example, saying you’re selling due to a job loss or divorce may raise questions about your ability to properly maintain the home.
Don’t Mention Needed Repairs
Unless repairs are legally required to be disclosed, keep required updates or renovations to yourself. Let the buyers and inspectors determine which repairs are needed. Volunteering this info can create leverage for buyers to negotiate on price.
Don’t Point Out Other Homes for Sale
Never point out other comparable homes for sale in the neighborhood to potential buyers. You don’t want to give them obvious alternatives to consider purchasing instead of your home.
Avoid Discussing Your Finances
It’s inappropriate to discuss personal finance details like how much equity you have in the home or what price you need to get. Buyers don’t need this info and it could weaken your negotiating power.
Don’t Mention Past Offers
Even if it’s true, don’t causally mention that you’ve received other offers on the home. This looks like a sales tactic to generate urgency from buyers.
Skip Talk About Pricing
Avoid talking about how you priced the home and if you’re flexible on price. Stick to generalities and let buyer’s agents have those conversations during negotiations.
Watch What You Say About the Buyers
Never insult potential buyers who come to view your home, even if it’s not said to their face. Disparaging comments could get back to them and sour the deal. Remain gracious to everyone.
Don’t Complain About Looky-Loos
Even if you get frustrated with non-serious buyers who just want to snoop around your home with no intention of buying, keep your feelings to yourself. You never know who they might mention your home to.
Beware of Discriminatory Language
Do not make discriminatory comments about a buyer’s race, religion, family status, or other protected class. This isn’t just unethical – it could expose you to a lawsuit.
Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep
Avoid making verbal commitments to buyers about repairs, closing dates, appliances or fixtures staying, kickbacks, or other perks that you may not actually be able to honor. This can complicate the transaction.
Be Cautious About Staging Claims
You should disclose if furnishings or decor will not remain with the home after sale. Make no claims about custom work, unique materials, designer labels or other aspects that you can’t back up.
No Guarantees About Neighbors
It’s risky to make guarantees about who will or won’t be living next door after you move. Be vague instead of making neighbor promises you can’t keep.
Don’t Share Your Emotions
It’s natural to feel sentimental about selling your home, but try to avoid revealing emotions to buyers. Overtly discussing how much you love your home or will miss living there could work against you in negotiations.
Avoid the Hard Sell
Don’t aggressively push buyers to put in an offer on your home. This risks coming off as desperate and scheming if you overdo it.
No Sob Stories
As a seller, avoid tearful goodbyes or lengthy stories about your memories in the home. Keep the mood upbeat and focus on the home’s features.
Don’t Slip Up About the Sale
Be mindful of what you say about the sale itself. Casually mentioning you have other offers, need to sell quickly, or took the home off the market earlier could raise red flags for buyers.
White Lies About Timeline
It’s best not to be deceitful about your moving timeline if you actually need to sell quickly for any reason.
Keep Showings Professional
When buyers come to view the property, don’t casually mention how many showings you’ve had. Stick to basics and let the home sell itself.
Conclusion
Selling a home requires being strategic about what you say and don’t say to potential buyers. Avoid exaggerations, critical comments, confidential info, inappropriate remarks, empty promises, emotional outbursts, and sly sales tactics. Be honest, direct and professional to keep the sales process running smoothly.