5 Things My Clients Learned the Hard Way in Real Estate

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. While I do everything I can to guide my clients through the process smoothly, some lessons are best learned the hard way. Here are five things my clients have discovered—sometimes the hard way—that I hope can help you avoid the same pitfalls.

1. Waiting for the ‘Perfect’ Market Can Cost You

Many buyers and sellers try to time the market, waiting for interest rates to drop or home prices to hit rock bottom. The reality? No one has a crystal ball, and the best time to buy or sell is when it makes sense for you. I’ve had clients hold off for months (or even years), only to watch prices go up and affordability decrease. Others waited for lower interest rates but ended up paying more because home values increased in the meantime.

2. Skipping the Pre-Approval is a Costly Mistake

Some buyers start looking at homes before talking to a lender, thinking they’ll “figure it out” later. Then, they find their dream home—only to realize they can’t afford it, or worse, they lose it to another buyer who was ready to go. A pre-approval not only shows you what you can afford but also makes your offer much stronger when the right home comes along.

3. The Cheapest Option Isn’t Always the Best

Whether it’s choosing the lowest bidder for repairs, going with a discount real estate agent, or skipping a home inspection to save a few hundred bucks, I’ve seen plenty of people try to cut costs in ways that ended up costing them more in the long run. A home is a major investment—trying to save a little upfront can lead to bigger problems down the road.

4. A Home’s List Price is Just a Starting Point

Some buyers assume they should always offer less than the asking price, while some sellers expect their home to sell for exactly what they listed it for. The truth is, the list price is just a starting point for negotiations. In a competitive market, underbidding can cause you to lose out. And for sellers, if your home is overpriced, you’ll likely end up sitting on the market and getting lowball offers anyway. Pricing strategy matters.

5. Not Every Home is ‘The One’

It’s easy to fall in love with a house and overlook potential issues—until reality sets in. I’ve had buyers get emotionally attached to a home, only to later realize it needed too much work or didn’t fit their lifestyle. I’ve also had sellers hold onto a home longer than they should because of sentimental value, even when the numbers didn’t make sense. The best decisions come from a mix of emotion and logic.

Final Thoughts

Real estate can be a smooth, stress-free experience—or it can be a rollercoaster of lessons learned the hard way. The difference? Working with an agent who helps you navigate the process with confidence. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, let’s talk so you don’t end up learning these lessons the hard way!