Buying or selling a home can feel like jumping into a game you didn’t read the rulebook for. It's exciting, emotional, and a little scary—especially if you're doing it for the first time. You're not alone if you've ever worried that you might mess something up. Many people feel overwhelmed when they buy and sell homes in Coweta OK. That feeling is completely normal.
However, here’s the deal: most home-buying or selling regrets come from making the same avoidable mistakes. Therefore, knowing what they are is your first step to avoiding them.
This post will discuss the top 8 mistakes people make when buying and selling homes. We’ll give real examples, smart fixes, and easy tips to help you avoid trouble. Whether buying, selling, or doing both, this guide is for you.
Not Getting Pre-Approved Before Hunting Buy And Sell Homes In Coweta OK
First, buying a house without a pre-approval mortgage is like grocery shopping without your wallet. Essentially, you’re just window shopping. Pre-approval shows sellers you're serious. More importantly, it tells you how much of a house you can afford.
Often, people think they know their budget. However, banks don’t just look at income. Instead, they check your credit score, debts, job history, and more. Therefore, skipping pre-approval often leads to heartbreak when you fall in love with a home you can’t buy. Also, getting pre-approved early gives you time to fix any financial issues. That’s much better to find out before you’re in a bidding war.
Quick Tip: A pre-approval letter can make your offer more attractive in competitive markets.
So, before you buy and sell homes, talk to a lender first. It's free, easy, and saves time later.
Overpricing the Home You’re Selling
Without a doubt, it’s tempting to price your home based on what you want to make. But buyers don’t care what you need for your next place. Instead, they care about what your home is worth.
As a result, overpricing leads to longer market times. And the longer your house sits, the more buyers wonder what’s wrong with it. Eventually, you’ll have to drop the price anyway, often lower than if you priced it right from the start.
Buyers will compare your home with others nearby. They'll move on if your price doesn’t match the value they see.
To avoid this, always check the most recent sales in your area. Use data, not emotion. A Dave Brock realtor can also run a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help.
Suggestion: Pricing it right from the beginning usually leads to quicker sales and better offers.
So, don’t let greed or emotion set your asking price when you buy and sell homes.
Ignoring Hidden Costs in the Process
Unfortunately, this one catches so many people off guard. Although the listing price may seem manageable, buying and selling homes is not just about the price tag. There are sneaky fees that add up fast.
Here are some costs people forget to budget for:
- Closing costs (can be 2%–5% of the home price)
- Moving expenses
- Home repairs or upgrades before selling
- Inspections and appraisals
- Agent commissions
Because of this, some folks drain their savings or borrow more than planned. Others pull out of deals at the last minute, losing deposits or upsetting timelines.
To avoid this, make a detailed budget before you buy and sell homes in Coweta OK. For instance, ask your agent to give you a full list of expected expenses for both transactions. Don’t just guess.
Warning: Skipping this step can mean serious money stress later.
Letting Emotions Make Decisions
You walk into a home, and it just feels right. It may remind you of your childhood. Or it has the kitchen of your dreams. Boom—you’re sold.
The problem is that you forget to check whether it has a leaking roof, a fair price, or good resale value.
As you might imagine, buying a home based on feelings alone leads to poor decisions. Selling emotionally is just as risky. For instance, sellers often reject good offers because they feel insulted or attached to the memories inside the house. So, when you buy and sell homes, emotions can cloud logic.
Therefore, here’s a better approach: take a step back and treat this like the business deal it is. Bring in inspections. Study the market. Compare numbers. Get advice.
Instead, keep your heart in check and let the facts lead.
Skipping the Home Inspection
This is one of the biggest regrets buyers share. That dream house might be hiding some ugly secrets—like mold, bad plumbing, or a cracked foundation.
Some people skip inspections to save money, while others do it to outperform other buyers in a competitive market.
Either way, it’s a bad move.
A $500 inspection can save you thousands in future repairs. It also gives you the power to negotiate repairs or price drops.
Even sellers benefit from inspections. For example, pre-listing inspections can catch problems early, allowing you to fix them before buyers ask questions.
So, when you buy and sell homes, inspections are your best friend. Never skip them.
Poor Timing in the Market
Although timing isn’t everything, it matters a lot in real estate. Selling in a slow market or buying in a seller’s market can cost you thousands.
Spring and early summer tend to be hot seasons for sellers. On the other hand, for buyers, winter months may bring better deals since fewer people are competing.
But timing is also personal. For instance, are interest rates rising? Are home prices climbing fast in your area? Are you juggling a job move?
Fact: Even waiting just a few months can affect your bottom line.
So, before you buy and sell homes, talk to a local expert about timing.
Choosing the Wrong Agent
All agents are not created equal. While some are pushy, others don’t return calls. And some barely know your neighborhood.
Because of this, a good agent makes all the difference. They help you price right, market well, and negotiate smart. However, a bad agent? They cost you time and money.
Look for these signs of a great Dave Brock realtor:
Knows your local market well
Has solid reviews and referrals
Communicates clearly and often
It helps you make informed decisions
Therefore, interview at least two agents and ask them for their strategies. Don’t just go with your cousin’s friend.
So, when you buy and sell homes, the right agent is your MVP.
Not Preparing Your Home for Sale
Think your home will sell “as-is”? Well, think again.
Today’s buyers expect clean, well-staged homes. So, if your house looks cluttered, dark, or outdated, you’ll turn them off.
Here’s what people often forget to do:
Deep clean every room
Declutter and depersonalize
Fix small repairs (leaky faucets)
Stage with light, simple decor
Add curb appeal
These don’t cost much, but they make a huge difference. A few days of effort can lead to faster sales and higher offers.
Therefore, don’t wait until the last minute. Plan this out before you list.
So, when you buy and sell homes, remember that first impressions count.
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far—nice job! You now know the top mistakes people make when they buy and sell homes. And even better, you know how to avoid them.
That’s it! Buying and selling don’t have to be stressful. With a little planning and smart decisions, you can crush it.
And hey, if you're upgrading your home before a sale or just moved into a fixer-upper, don’t forget to check your appliances. Hiring an expert team at Dave Brock & Keller Williams Advantage Midtown, can help keep things running smoothly.
You've got this. Here's to happy moving!
