5 Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Selling Privately (and How to Avoid Them)
Selling your house without an estate agent is becoming more popular than ever. With the rise of modern platforms like Off Agent, it’s easier to reach buyers directly and save thousands in commission fees.
In fact, in countries like the United States, it’s completely normal for homeowners to sell privately using online platforms such as Zillow and ForSaleByOwner.com. The UK is now catching up — and Off Agent is leading that shift.
But while the process is straightforward, many sellers still fall into the same traps — small mistakes that can cost time, money, and potential buyers.
If you’re planning to sell your home privately or list it on a for sale by owner site, here are the five most common mistakes to avoid.
1. Undervaluing (or Overvaluing) Your Home
Pricing your home correctly is one of the hardest parts of selling privately. Go too high and buyers won’t even click your listing. Go too low and you risk losing thousands.
How to avoid it:
Use free online valuation tools, check recent local sales on Rightmove or Zoopla, and compare properties that genuinely match yours — size, location, and condition. If in doubt, Off Agent offers affordable valuation guidance to help sellers find the right starting point.
2. Using Poor or Incomplete Photos
In today’s market, your photos are your first viewing. Blurry, dark, or unflattering images can turn buyers off instantly.
How to avoid it:
Invest in professional photography. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to attract serious buyers and achieve a faster sale. At Off Agent, we partner with local photographers nationwide who can make any home look its best — without agent mark-ups.
3. Writing Vague or Overcomplicated Descriptions
A good listing description should be clear, engaging, and informative. Many sellers either write too little (“3-bed house for sale”) or too much (“beautiful dream home with charm beyond compare…”). Both can hurt your listing’s visibility and appeal.
How to avoid it:
Focus on facts that buyers search for — number of bedrooms, layout, nearby transport links, garden size, parking, and local schools. Keep it concise, friendly, and easy to read. Off Agent even offers AI-generated descriptions to help sellers create polished, accurate listings in seconds.
4. Not Being Ready for Compliance or Buyer Questions
Many private sellers forget about the legal and compliance side — things like Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), proof of ownership, and anti-money-laundering (AML) checks.
How to avoid it:
Have your EPC and documents ready before you go live. Buyers will ask quickly, and delays can break momentum. Off Agent helps sellers stay compliant by reviewing listings before approval and flagging anything that needs attention early on.
5. Limiting Visibility to One Platform
Some sellers think posting on Facebook Marketplace or one property site is enough — but exposure is everything. The more people who see your home, the faster it sells.
How to avoid it:
Use a platform that gets your property seen everywhere that matters. Off Agent gives private sellers access to major portals like Rightmove and Zoopla — something you can’t do alone — all without paying estate-agent commission.
The Bottom Line
Selling your home privately doesn’t have to be risky — it just takes the right tools and a little preparation. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll put yourself in the best position to achieve a smooth, profitable sale.
Off Agent was designed to make selling your house without an estate agent simple, affordable, and fully in your control — just as it’s been for years in other markets like the US.
