Selling Your Home? Don’t Make These 4 Mistakes

Louisiana REALTORS® • November 9, 2021

Mistakes are inconvenient and expensive; but they also have value, in hindsight. The value of a mistake is the opportunity to learn from it. Whether it’s knowing what to NOT order at a restaurant or how to avoid getting stuck in traffic on the way to work, there was likely a time when you, or someone had to learn these the hard way. This is especially true when it comes to selling your home. Of course these mistakes can cost a lot of time and money, so here are a few to make sure avoid.


Sell without a REALTOR®

REALTORS® are a great resource for home sellers and buyers alike. They have market experience and expertise that, for a home seller, can result in the highest offer possible. When you consider all of the moving parts that make up any real estate transaction, it can be quite a daunting task. If you attempt to sell your house without a trusted professional, you can be quickly overwhelmed and leave serious money on the table.


Have irrational expectations about selling your home

Managing your expectations can be difficult, but it is very important when it comes to selling your home. Of course in a perfect world your home would sell quickly and above your asking price, but that’s not realistic. An aggressive price point and unreasonable expectations for buyers can turn them off of your property in a hurry. The advice and guidance of a REALTOR® can help to ensure that you have a fair and competitive price, making this process much smoother.


Attend open houses and showings

While the desire to be present at open houses and showings is understandable, it may not be in your best interest. When potential buyers are looking at your home and you’re there, it can create an awkward experience. For a buyer trying to imagine themselves in your home while you’re there can be difficult. They may also feel inhibited about providing accurate and honest feedback with you present. This is a great opportunity for your REALTOR® to represent you in your absence during these events.


Not preparing your home for sale

It takes a lot more to sell a home than simply sticking a sign in the yard. Much of that work and due diligence will fall on your REALTOR®, but  there are responsibilities for the home seller as well. Rushing too quickly to get your house on the market can be a costly mistake if it isn’t prepared. A first impression is priceless when it comes to selling your home and if you haven’t made any necessary repairs, decluttered, improved the curb appeal, or staged your home, it may sit longer and go for less.




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Constitutional Amendment Positions for November 3 Election

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 9, 2026
Homeownership Is on Louisiana's November Ballot

Cookbook for the REALTORS® Relief Foundation On Sale Now!

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 8, 2026
After months of gathering recipes from across our Louisiana REALTORS® family, the cookbook is ready! This 200+ page collection is filled with Louisiana flavor, REALTOR® heart and recipes contributed by our members. We launched sales of the cookbook at the Fall Governance Meetings. You can now purchase your copy for $30 directly from the printer and shipped to you! Additionally, we will have copies available at the RRF booth at NXT . After NXT, we will carry a limited stock at the LR office for you to purchase through the LR Merch Shop and pick-up from the office or at an LR event, as stock is available. Even better, $15 from every cookbook sold will be donated to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to help provide housing-related assistance to REALTORS® and their families following disasters. Pick up a copy for yourself, grab one as a gift and enjoy a taste of Louisiana while supporting a great cause!

Residential Appraisal Update: UAD 3.6 and the Temporary Policy Exception

By Louisiana REALTORS® • October 7, 2026
A major change to residential appraisal reporting is approaching, but a recently announced temporary policy exception is creating some confusion about what happens on November 2. Here is what REALTORS® need to know. Beginning November 2, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will require the new Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6 for new appraisal reports initially submitted to the Uniform Collateral Data Portal (UCDP), unless the lender has received a temporary policy exception. The November 2 implementation date has not been postponed. What is the UAD 3.6 Appraisal Report? UAD 3.6 replaces the familiar legacy appraisal forms (used for the last 25 years) with a new, more data-driven appraisal report that collects much more detailed property information. For REALTORS® and consumers, the transition could mean a more detailed property inspection, additional questions about the property and transaction, and potentially longer appraisal and review times as appraisers, lenders, appraisal management companies, and other industry participants adjust to the new system. What changed? Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently announced a temporary policy exception for eligible lenders that need additional time to complete their transition to UAD 3.6. Lenders receiving the exception may continue submitting appraisals using the current legacy UAD 2.6 format through May 19, 2027 . Beginning May 20, 2027 , new appraisal submissions to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must use UAD 3.6. What does this mean for REALTORS®? For several months, REALTORS® may encounter both the current appraisal format and the new UAD 3.6 appraisal report. The appraisal format is determined by the lender's assignment requirements. REALTORS® and consumers do not need to determine which format should be used. It is also important to understand that an appraiser completing a legacy-format appraisal during this period should not automatically be assumed to be unprepared for UAD 3.6. An appraiser who is fully UAD 3.6 ready may still be instructed by a lender to complete an assignment using the legacy format. How can REALTORS® help? Good communication and accurate property information will become even more important. REALTORS® can help the appraisal process by providing accurate and specific information concerning: Recent renovations and improvements Property features and amenities Sales concessions and financing terms Known property conditions or unique characteristics Relevant information about the transaction Buyers should also be encouraged to discuss appraisal requirements and anticipated timelines with their lender early in the transaction. What about FHA, VA and USDA? The November 2 requirement discussed above applies to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conventional lending. FHA, VA and USDA have their own appraisal policies and implementation schedules. Their transition to UAD 3.6 should not be assumed to follow the same November 2 timeline unless announced by the respective agency. The Bottom Line November 2 remains an important date for UAD 3.6. The temporary exception does not cancel or postpone the transition. Instead, it allows eligible lenders additional time to complete their transition. As a result, REALTORS® should expect a period when both legacy and UAD 3.6 appraisal reports are being used. Louisiana REALTORS® will continue monitoring the transition and providing members with updates as additional guidance becomes available. Louisiana REALTORS® is also planning a follow-up webinar to discuss the latest UAD 3.6 developments, what REALTORS® are seeing in transactions, and what these changes mean for agents and their clients.
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