Top 5 home selling mistakes to avoid, according to REMAX South Africa experts

Selling a home can be an exciting journey, but it also comes with plenty of pitfalls that could end up costing sellers valuable time and money. To help homeowners avoid common missteps, REMAX Southern Africa asked their agents to share the biggest mistakes they’ve seen sellers make.

Here’s what their experts had to say, and how you can steer clear of these traps when putting your home on the market.

Kim Peacock, broker and owner of REMAX Dolphin Realtors in KwaZulu-Natal, says their team consistently helps sellers avoid three major pitfalls.

“Firstly, overpricing the property, which deters buyers and can attract the wrong buyers. It can also cause the listing to stagnate and can unintentionally help competing properties sell faster by making them appear better value. We always recommend market-related pricing based on solid data to ensure the best results," she says.

Peacock says that poor first impressions are another common mistake. Homes that are not properly presented, whether cluttered, dirty, poorly lit or in need of a fresh coat of paint, tend to lose buyer interest quickly. Sellers should take the time to get their property market-ready before it goes live on property portals. The third and most critical error, according to Peacock, is choosing the wrong agent.

“Working with inexperienced or non-local agents can cost time and money. Our team brings deep local knowledge and proven results as the #1 agency on the North Coast. The right strategy, price, and partner equals the fastest path to a successful sale,” she says.

Barbara Larney, broker and manager of REMAX Wine and Whales, echoes this sentiment and warns against trying to sell without an agent.

“What seems like a saving often ends up as a costly mistake. Selling a property privately opens the door to strangers without any proper vetting. When homeowners market and manage viewings themselves, they often don’t have the tools or systems in place to verify a potential buyer’s identity, financial position or intent.

This creates significant exposure to fraud, theft or even personal harm. Professional estate agents are trained to pre-qualify buyers, schedule and supervise viewings, and maintain a record of every person who enters the property. We work with trusted partners like bond originators, attorneys and security services to ensure every step of the sales process is secure. Your home is your most valuable asset and your safety is not negotiable,” she says.

Beyond these well-known missteps, there are also technical and legal oversights that can derail a sale.

Carla Visagie, sales manager at REMAX Independent Properties, highlights two of the most common issues in Gqeberha: missing or outdated building plans, and overlooked title deed restrictions.

“In Gqeberha, where many properties are decades old and have undergone informal extensions or additions, the following mistakes are among the most common reasons for delays, renegotiations, or even failed sales: Missing or Outdated Building Plans; and Overlooking Title Deed Restrictions,” she says.

Visagie says that Nelson Mandela Bay presents a unique challenge.

“Prior to 2014, building plan submissions did not require a copy of the title deed. As a result, many plans were approved without consideration for existing title deed restrictions. This means some structures (although approved by the municipality) are technically non-compliant, creating a legal grey area that can block or delay the transfer process.

"In many older Gqeberha suburbs, sellers may not even know these restrictions exist until it’s too late. For example, a seller may think they can build or extend, only to find a servitude or condition preventing it, even if their building plans were once approved,” she cautions.

Sellers are advised to double check the conditions of the title deed and ensure all planning approvals are in place before listing their property.

Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of REMAX Southern Africa, sums it up: “Selling a property is a major financial decision, and even small mistakes can have costly consequences. By steering clear of pitfalls such as trying to sell without an agent, setting the wrong price, neglecting first impressions, or overlooking title deed restrictions and building plan approvals, sellers can greatly improve their chances of a smooth and successful sale.”

He says Partnering with a knowledgeable agent ensures that every step of the process is handled professionally, giving you peace of mind and helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your home.

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