Gone are the days when homes barely last a day on the Orlando real estate market before being offered multiple times and closing at or above the asking price. With the excess inventory available today, buyers have more options and less pressure in the home buying process. Where does that leave the seller?

Ask any seller whose home has been on the market 6 months to a year how bad the real estate market is and they will tell you. But in fact, Orlando’s 2006 home sales were the second highest in history. So why hasn’t your house been sold?

In a buyer’s market, a motivated seller has an obligation to work toward the sale of their home. It would make sense, right? Right. With more and more options available to buyers, you can’t afford not to be proactive in selling your home. Unfortunately, many sellers don’t realize that they could be sabotaging the sale of their own home. If you find that you are doing one or more of the activities on this list, then we have a problem.

Top 10 No-Nos That Sabotage Your Home Sale

1. Personal photos scattered throughout the house

When buyers visit your home, they should ideally imagine your family living there, not yours. We all love Aunt Bessie, but she saves those photos so you can start picturing yourself in your next home.

2. Mess, Mess, Everywhere

The first thing I always do is grab some large Tupperware boxes or containers and pack up that mess. Collectibles, excess kitchen utensils, a stack of books, and just about anything else that creates clutter needs to be put away. No ifs, ands, or buts. Clutter prevents a homebuyer from seeing a house. Your home is the protagonist of this scenario, not your collection of ceramic teapots. Package it!

3. Overpricing your home

We all want as much money as we can for our house. After all, it is the biggest and most important investment most people will ever make. In addition to the material, it is also a home, a place where families are raised and memories are made. No value can be placed on that. REMEMBER IT. You can not give value to the sentimental. You and I can agree that we think your house is worth a million dollars, but a house will only sell for what the market accepts. Don’t blame your real estate agent for discouraging you from wanting to list for a million. It’s not your real estate agent’s fault, blame the buyers. If you just can’t get rid of your house at a realistic price, you probably aren’t and won’t sell it anyway.

4. Choosing a professional to sell your house based on the wrong criteria

Selling your home is a personal matter. When choosing a real estate professional, choose someone you trust to work for you. Don’t be afraid to interview real estate agents and find someone who will offer you the best service and work with you to achieve your goals. Review their plans for marketing your home, how and when they will contact you, what they will do to bring you qualified buyers, and how they will work to sell your home in the shortest time possible for the best price.

5. Be present at exhibitions and open days

One last thing: Staying home while buyers are viewing your home or potential homeowners scrutinizing it during open houses is never a good idea. REPEAT AFTER ME. Never. Remember rule #1: Buyers want to see themselves in your home, not you. You may know your home better than anyone, but that’s why you hired a professional. If you have followed the n. #4, then that professional knows everything you do about the house and can be trusted to brag about all of its unique features.

Stop sabotaging your home sale today. Pack up and get ready to move into your new home.