Selling Your Home? Avoid These Common Mistakes to Maximise Your Sale Price
Selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make - and it’s also one of the most emotionally charged. Whether you're upsizing, downsizing, or moving on, it's natural to want the best possible outcome.
But here's the truth: even in a strong market like Brisbane’s inner-west, simple mistakes can cost sellers tens of thousands of dollars. With significant costs involved in selling, including legal fees, marketing expenses, moving costs, and agent commissions, you want to make sure you're leaving nothing to chance.
Here’s how to avoid the most common pitfalls - and what to do instead to give your property the best chance of achieving top dollar.
Mistake 1: Choosing the Cheapest Agent
It’s tempting to go with the lowest commission or the biggest promise, but not all agents are created equal. Inexperienced agents or those offering bargain fees may cut corners on marketing, buyer follow-up, or negotiation - the very things that drive your sale price up.
What to Do Instead:
Choose an agent with a proven track record in your local area, deep market knowledge, and strong communication. Ask for examples of recent results, not just promises. A good agent should help you earn more, not cost you more.
Mistake 2: Skimping on Marketing
Many sellers see marketing as an optional extra, but in reality, it’s one of your most important investments. Without proper exposure, even the most beautiful homes can sit on the market, unnoticed or underappreciated.
What to Do Instead:
Invest in quality marketing. This includes professional photography, floorplans, property staging, digital ads, social media, online portals, and a strong local database. A well-marketed home attracts more buyers, creates competition, and pushes the price higher.
Mistake 3: Pricing Emotionally, Not Strategically
It’s natural to feel your home is worth more, especially when you've created memories there. But pricing based on emotion (or what you "need to get") can drive buyers away before they even inspect.
What to Do Instead:
Price with data, not emotion. A smart pricing strategy - set with your agent using recent comparable sales and market trends, helps attract more interest early on, leading to stronger competition and better offers.
Mistake 4: Underestimating the Costs of Selling
Legal fees, marketing expenses, staging, moving, and agent commissions all add up. If you’re not prepared for these costs, it can create unnecessary stress, and tempt you to cut corners that ultimately affect your sales result.
What to Do Instead:
Understand the full picture. On average, sellers should allow for:
- Seller Disclosure Statement: Approximately $900
- Home Preparation: From $2,000, depending on the property's condition
- Staging: From $2,000, depending on the size and layout of the home
- Marketing: From $7,000, depending on the strategy and reach
- Moving Costs: Vary based on distance, volume, and logistics
- Agent Fee: Varies — however, with the cost of doing business continuing to rise, most reputable agents charge a professional fee that reflects the level of service, expertise, and results they deliver
Your agent should walk you through these clearly, so there are no surprises.
Mistake 5: Going to Market Unprepared
Rushing to market without a plan can cost you momentum, buyer interest, and money. A cluttered, unstyled, or unclean property can turn buyers off within moments.
What to Do Instead:
Prepare your home thoughtfully. Declutter, clean, consider minor repairs or touch-ups, and speak with your agent about property styling or small updates that add big value. Allow enough time (including for legal prep, especially under Queensland’s new disclosure laws) so your home is 100% ready before launching.
The Smart Way to Sell
Selling a home doesn’t have to be stressful, but it does need a plan. At Glynis Austin Properties, we help sellers across Paddington, Red Hill, Auchenflower, Bardon, Toowong, Milton, The Gap, and surrounding suburbs avoid costly mistakes, prepare with confidence, and position their property for a premium result.
Thinking of selling? Let’s have a confidential conversation about how to sell smart, avoid the common traps, and get your home sold for its full value.