The doorbell chimes, and you straighten your shirt one last time before opening the door with your most welcoming smile. There they stand—slightly nervous but radiating hopeful enthusiasm—the prospective buyers interested in your Menlo Park home. The conversation flows smoothly until you inadvertently mention one of those seller statements that experienced real estate professionals know to avoid at all costs.
You notice their expressions shift subtly as they exchange concerned glances. Still eager to impress, you continue with another well-intentioned but problematic comment. Then perhaps another. Before you realize what’s happening, that promising couple is backing toward the door with vague promises to be in touch. Moments later, they’re hurrying to their car—and your potential sale evaporates with their departure.
Don’t let this happen to your home sale!
4 Things Sellers Should Never Say When Closing a Home Sale in Menlo Park
1. Our house is in great/perfect/mint condition
Absolute statements during real estate transactions are always typically counterproductive. While you might genuinely believe your property is flawless (or want buyers to think so), this claim can immediately damage your credibility. The reality? No home—even in Silicon Valley’s most coveted neighborhoods—is truly perfect. Every property has something that could be repaired, updated, or improved, and savvy buyers know this.
2. You are our second/tenth/thirtieth showing
Among all potential missteps when closing a home sale in Menlo Park, this statement is particularly dangerous because it’s so open to interpretation. Buyers will invariably interpret this information in whatever way she finds most advantageous to her position.
If you’ve had minimal showings, buyers might conclude your price is too aggressive. Conversely, if you’ve hosted numerous viewings, they could suspect underlying problems with the property. The strategic approach? Keep information about previous showings and offers confidential—this is precisely where having a skilled negotiator representing your interests becomes invaluable.
3. Sure, we can negotiate on price
While flexibility is essential in real estate transactions, signaling immediate willingness to reduce your asking price can undermine your position before negotiations truly begin. Whether you’re pursuing a top-dollar MLS listing or an off-market sale, protecting your pricing strategy is crucial.
Remember that price represents just one component of a comprehensive offer. Conceding on price prematurely often leads to additional concessions elsewhere. Furthermore, creating unrealistic expectations about your flexibility can derail negotiations when buyers discover your actual bottom line differs from what they initially perceived.
The most effective approach? Defer pricing discussions to your real estate professional. Their expertise in tailoring strategies to your specific property and personal goals is why you’ve engaged their services. When faced with direct pricing questions, simply respond: “You’ll need to speak to my real estate agent on that.”
4. I won’t take less than $xxx,xxx for home
This represents the opposite extreme of negotiation missteps. Presenting yourself as inflexible or unwilling to consider reasonable offers effectively terminates potential deals before they begin. Whether you’re seeking a traditional sale or a quick cash transaction, maintaining negotiation pathways is essential.
Negotiation is a fundamental aspect of real estate transactions—expected by most parties and actually enjoyed by some. When buyers encounter rigid price positions from the outset, they typically feel discouraged and move on to more promising opportunities. Moreover, if your inflexibility becomes known among buyer agents in the local market, you may find showings diminishing significantly.
Carefully avoid these four conversation pitfalls when selling your home in [market city]. Successful transactions require not just avoiding problematic statements but also knowing exactly what to say—this is where having a dedicated real estate professional who tailors their approach to your specific situation becomes invaluable.