Selling a Home in Los Angeles? 12 Things You Should Never Say

Selling a home in Los Angeles involves more than choosing an asking price and putting a sign in the yard. Your pricing strategy, showing availability, presentation, and willingness to negotiate can all influence how buyers respond to your property.

Scott Himelstein of the Scott Himelstein Group has spent more than 21 years selling real estate in Los Angeles. In this video, he shares 12 statements he cautions sellers against making because they can undermine their selling strategy and potentially affect their final proceeds.

Here are the 12 statements and what sellers should consider instead.

1. “I’m in No Hurry to Sell!”

Having flexibility can be helpful, but it doesn’t mean waiting indefinitely will produce a better offer.

Scott emphasizes the importance of the first week and first 30 days on the market. This is when a new listing can attract attention from buyers who are actively searching. If a home sits without strong interest, potential buyers may begin questioning its price or condition.

What to do instead: Establish a clear timeline and monitor buyer activity from the beginning. Discuss showing feedback, competing listings, and offers with your real estate agent before deciding to wait or adjust your strategy.

2. “Let’s Overprice It and Leave Room to Negotiate!”

Starting with an inflated asking price can discourage buyers who are comparing your home with similar properties. If the listing attracts little interest, subsequent price reductions may not fully restore the attention it received when it first launched.

Scott recommends pricing a home based on current market conditions rather than assuming buyers will negotiate down from an ambitious asking price.

What to do instead: Review comparable sales, competing listings, property condition, location, upgrades, and buyer demand. A well-supported asking price can help attract serious buyers and create a stronger position for negotiations.

3. “I Don’t Want Strangers in My House!”

Selling a home can feel invasive. Preparing for showings, accommodating visitors, and keeping the property presentable can disrupt your normal routine.

However, limiting access may also reduce opportunities for qualified buyers to see the property. As Scott explains, even neighbors visiting an open house may become interested themselves or recommend the home to someone else.

What to do instead: Work with your agent to establish reasonable showing arrangements that respect your schedule and privacy while giving interested buyers a fair opportunity to view the home.

4. “I Just Want to Test the Market for 30 Days!”

Listing a home without a genuine commitment to selling can create complications. Buyers may notice its listing history, previous prices, and time on the market. A property that repeatedly appears, disappears, and returns may prompt questions about why it hasn’t sold.

What to do instead: Before listing, agree on a realistic plan for pricing, marketing, showings, and reviewing results. Make sure you understand your options and are prepared to respond to what the market tells you.

5. “I Need to Get This Amount of Money for the House to Sell!”

Your financial goals matter, but buyers make decisions based on the property’s perceived value and the alternatives available to them. The amount you paid, the money you invested in renovations, or the proceeds you hope to receive does not automatically determine market value.

What to do instead: Work with your agent to estimate your home’s likely selling range and calculate your potential net proceeds after transaction costs. Use comparable sales, property condition, upgrades, location, and demand to support your pricing decision.

6. “Can We List It for Sale and for Lease?”

Selling and leasing a property require different strategies, target audiences, and financial considerations. Pursuing both without a clear plan may complicate your marketing and make it harder to commit to one course of action.

What to do instead: Compare the potential benefits, costs, and obligations of selling versus renting. Decide which option best fits your goals and financial circumstances, then develop a focused strategy with your real estate professional.

7. “Can We Co-List With My Friend Who’s an Agent?”

Having more than one agent involved may sound like a way to get additional exposure, but it can also create confusion about responsibilities, communication, and decision-making.

Scott recommends having one professional clearly accountable for the listing strategy and its execution.

What to do instead: Choose an agent whose experience, communication style, marketing approach, and plan align with your goals. Clarify responsibilities and expectations before signing a listing agreement.

8. “I’m Not Paying the Buyer’s Agent Commission!”

Real estate compensation is negotiable, and sellers should understand the financial implications of any proposed arrangement. Rejecting an option without considering the complete offer may cause you to overlook terms that could be beneficial.

The important question is how the entire offer affects your net proceeds and the likelihood of closing successfully.

What to do instead: Review the purchase price, contingencies, closing timeline, financing, and any proposed compensation arrangements together. Ask your agent to explain the costs and trade-offs so you can make an informed decision.

9. “I Don’t Want to Deal With Showings or Open Houses!”

Convenience is important, especially if you’re living in the home while it is being marketed. But restricting access too much may make it harder for buyers to evaluate the property.

Scott stresses that selling successfully often requires sellers to make their homes available during an agreed marketing period.

What to do instead: Set up a practical showing schedule with your agent. Plan ahead for cleaning, pets, personal belongings, and temporary arrangements so the process feels manageable without unnecessarily limiting buyer access.

10. “I Want to Sell As-Is for the Same Price as the Renovated House Next Door!”

Buyers consider condition when comparing homes. A renovated property and a home that needs cleaning, repairs, or updating may not compete at the same price, even if they are in the same neighborhood.

The good news is that preparing a home for sale does not necessarily require a complete remodel.

What to do instead: Focus on cost-effective improvements such as decluttering, deep cleaning, minor touch-ups, and presenting the property well. Ask your agent which improvements are most likely to make a meaningful difference before committing to major expenses.

11. “Let’s Do a Small Price Reduction!”

A price reduction that is too small to change a buyer’s perception may not generate the renewed interest a seller expects. If the asking price is significantly above what buyers consider reasonable, a minor adjustment may leave the property outside the range of buyers searching for it.

What to do instead: Review showing activity, buyer feedback, comparable listings, and recent sales before making a price change. If an adjustment is needed, choose an amount supported by the market and consider which buyer price ranges it will reach.

12. “Can I Be Present During All the Showings, Inspections, and Open Houses?”

Although it is understandable to want to be involved, having the seller present can make some buyers uncomfortable. They may hesitate to discuss the property openly or spend time imagining themselves living there.

It can also create situations where a seller unintentionally reveals information that could affect negotiations.

What to do instead: Coordinate with your agent and arrange to be away during showings and open houses when practical. Let your representative handle buyer questions and feedback while you maintain your privacy and negotiating position.

A Smarter Strategy for Selling Your Los Angeles Home

These 12 statements reflect a larger principle: a successful home sale requires a realistic plan, informed decisions, and flexibility when market conditions call for it.

Before listing your property, consider the following:

• Pricing: Base your asking price on comparable properties and current buyer demand.
• Preparation: Address cleaning, decluttering, and appropriate repairs before launching the listing.
• Accessibility: Make it reasonably easy for qualified buyers to view the property.
• Negotiations: Evaluate the complete offer rather than focusing on a single number or expense.
• Communication: Work with one accountable real estate professional and agree on a clear strategy.
• Expectations: Understand your likely net proceeds, timeline, and available alternatives before making decisions.

No strategy can guarantee a particular sale price or outcome. However, preparing in advance and responding thoughtfully to market feedback can help you avoid preventable mistakes.

Thinking About Selling Your Los Angeles Home?

Whether you’re planning to sell soon or preparing for a move next year, understanding your property’s market position is an important first step.

Scott Himelstein and the Scott Himelstein Group help Los Angeles homeowners evaluate their options and develop a selling strategy based on their property, goals, and local market conditions.

Watch the video

Watch Scott Himelstein’s video to hear all 12 statements he advises home sellers to avoid and learn how your pricing, preparation, and selling decisions may affect your results.