Posted on
April 9, 2025
by
RM Real Estate Team
Selling your home in Fraser Valley? Whether it’s your first sale or you’ve done this before, avoiding a few common missteps can mean the difference between a smooth, profitable sale and a stressful, costly one.
In today’s competitive real estate market—especially across cities like Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, and Mission—homebuyers have high expectations. Here's what you don’t want to get wrong when listing your property.
1. Overpricing Your Home
The Mistake: Setting your listing price too high
Why It Happens: Sellers often base pricing on emotional value or outdated info
The Fix: Rely on your local real estate agent to perform a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) using current sales data specific to your neighborhood. Fraser Valley’s market fluctuates month to month—so pricing based on last year's trends or your neighbor's asking price could cause your home to sit longer than it should. A well-priced home gets more showings and, often, stronger offers.
2. Skimping on Photos and Marketing
The Mistake: Posting dark, blurry, or poorly framed photos—or worse, no professional photos at all.
Why It Hurts: Most buyers in Fraser Valley begin their search online. If your home doesn’t make a great first impression digitally, they’ll scroll right past it.
The Fix: Invest in professional real estate photography. Your agent should also have a marketing strategy that includes social media, online listings, and possibly virtual tours or drone shots—especially if your home has land, views, or architectural appeal.
📸 Pro Tip: Homes in Fraser Valley that include virtual tours or video walkthroughs tend to attract more qualified buyers who are relocating or house hunting from out of town.
3. Ignoring Minor Repairs
The Mistake: Leaving small things undone—like leaky faucets, chipped paint, or squeaky doors.
Why It Matters: These little issues give buyers the impression the home hasn't been well-maintained, making them worry about bigger hidden problems.
The Fix: Walk through your home like a buyer would—or better yet, get a pre-listing home inspection to uncover small problems early. Taking care of repairs upfront prevents them from becoming negotiation points later.
🛠️ Quick Wins: Fixing that leaky tap or repainting that scuffed baseboard might cost you an afternoon, but it could boost your offer by thousands.
4. Being Inflexible with Showings
The Mistake: Only allowing showings during very limited hours.
Why It Slows You Down: Buyers have busy schedules, and limited showing times can mean fewer viewings and missed opportunities.
The Fix: Try to keep your schedule as open as possible for the first week or two after listing. The first 7–10 days are crucial—this is when your listing gets the most attention online and among local agents.
5. Listing at the Wrong Time
The Mistake: Putting your home on the market when buyer activity is low—like during major holidays or in the dead of winter.
Why Timing Matters: Seasonality affects buyer motivation. In Fraser Valley, the spring and early fall markets tend to be the most active.
The Fix: Ask your realtor when local demand is strongest. If you can, plan your sale around those peaks to maximize visibility and competition.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these five home selling mistakes in Fraser Valley—overpricing, poor marketing, skipping repairs, limiting showings, and bad timing—can drastically improve your selling experience. More importantly, it can help you sell faster and for more money.
Selling a home doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you have the right team supporting you. If you’re thinking of selling your home in Fraser Valley, get in touch with a trusted local real estate professional who knows the market and understands what buyers are looking for.
📞 Need help getting your home ready for the market?
Reach out today
