The #1 Regret Sellers Have When They Don’t Use an Agent
February 6, 2026
Joe Malerba
The biggest regret homeowners have after selling without an agent isn’t the paperwork or the stress, it’s pricing their home wrong from the start.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sellers who choose to go it alone say the hardest part of the process was pricing their home correctly for the current market. And in today’s shifting market, that mistake can be costly.
This is something Joseph Malerba Real Estate, eXp Realty sees often with homeowners across Connecticut especially sellers who rely on online estimates or outdated neighborhood sales instead of real market data.
Why Pricing Is So Hard Without a Professional
Pricing a home isn’t just about picking a number that “feels right.” It requires a deep understanding of what’s happening right now in your local market.
To price accurately, you need to know:
What buyers are actually willing to pay today
How much competition you’re up against
What similar homes are truly selling for (not just listed at)
How location and neighborhood demand affect value
How your home’s condition impacts buyer perception
Without that context, many sellers overshoot the price and that’s where problems begin.
Overpricing Isn’t a Small Mistake… It Snowballs
Your list price shapes a buyer’s first impression. When it’s too high, buyers scroll right past your home.
That usually leads to:
Fewer showings
Fewer offers
Longer days on market
Eventual price reductions
And this isn’t rare. NAR reports that 59% of homes sold without an agent required at least one price cut. By then, the listing often looks “stale,” which can weaken buyer confidence even further.
The Problem With Price Reductions
Many sellers assume they can “test the market” and lower the price later if needed. But price cuts don’t always fix the damage.
Buyers often interpret a price reduction as a red flag, wondering if something is wrong with the home. Instead of strong offers, sellers may attract bargain hunters who negotiate harder.
The result? Sellers frequently walk away with less money than if they’d priced it correctly from day one.
In fact, NAR data shows homes sold with an agent typically sell for nearly 8% more than those sold without one.
Why Homes Sell for More With the Right Agent
That difference isn’t accidental. It comes from expertise.
A seasoned agent understands:
How to price strategically from the start
How to position your home to attract serious buyers
How to negotiate confidently
How to manage timelines, contracts, and details without costly mistakes
That’s why sellers working with experienced professionals like Joseph Malerba, top Realtor in CT with eXp Realty are often better positioned to maximize their sale price and avoid unnecessary stress.
Bottom Line
The biggest risk of selling without an agent isn’t the paperwork.
It’s pricing your home wrong and not being able to recover from it.
If you’re thinking about selling and want a realistic picture of what your home could sell for in today’s Connecticut market, let’s talk. A quick, no-pressure pricing conversation now can save you from bigger regrets later.
Joseph Malerba Real Estate, eXp Realty is here to help you price smart, sell confidently, and move forward with clarity.