Business
Five missteps homeowners make when selling that could cost them thousands
New Zillow® research reveals the most common misconceptions homeowners have about selling a home that could cost them thousands of dollars.
About this update from Zillow Group, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"New Zillow survey reveals common seller mistakes — and two critical things homeowners get right","length":95,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"text","content":"SEATTLE, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New Zillow® research reveals the most common misconceptions homeowners have about selling a home that could cost them thousands of dollars.","length":178,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Selling a home is one of life's biggest financial decisions, but a Zillow survey conducted by The Harris Poll finds that many Americans misunderstand important parts of the process. The new data highlights five things homeowners often get wrong when selling — and what they tend to get right.","length":296,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"1. Investing in the wrong projectsToday's sellers face more competition and need to put in more work to get their home ready for sale. However, investing in the wrong improvements can take a big bite out of the bottom line.","length":228,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Nearly one-quarter of homeowners (23%) believe building an addition offers the best return on investment when preparing a home for sale. In reality, simple updates like fresh paint and landscaping deliver a much better — and more affordable — return on investment when it comes to resale.","length":288,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":""Many sellers assume that big, expensive renovations will guarantee a higher sale price," said Christina Pappas, president of The Keyes Company and Illustrated Properties in Miami. "In reality, buyers respond more to a thoughtful presentation: smart pricing, polished staging, a high-impact digital presence, and strategic updates like a fresh coat of paint. A strong first impression gets buyers in the door. That's why it's essential to work with an agent who understands what buyers are looking for and how to make a listing stand out online."","length":574,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"2. Ignoring screen appealScreen appeal is the new curb appeal. Many buyers make up their minds about a home after viewing it online, yet 40% of homeowners believe great curb appeal makes the best first impression.","length":214,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Zillow data shows that investing in an immersive online media package pays off. Buyers pay 2% m...