The doorbell rings—you’ve been expecting them. With your best winning smile, you open the door to greet the prospective buyers of the house you’re trying to sell. They stand there, slightly nervous but clearly hopeful and excited. The showing starts off well, with friendly conversation and genuine interest. But then, you unknowingly say something a seller should never mention when closing a sale in Anderson.
Suddenly, their expressions shift. The bright enthusiasm fades as they exchange uneasy glances. Still eager to impress, you make another offhand remark—and then maybe one more. Before you know it, the couple is politely hurrying to the door, offering vague promises to follow up, and walking quickly to their car. Just like that, they’re gone—and so is the opportunity.
Don’t let a few careless words cost you a potential sale. Knowing what not to say is just as important as staging your home or setting the right price.
4 Things Sellers Should Never Say When Closing a Home Sale in Anderson
1. Our house is in great/perfect/mint condition
Absolute statements—especially early in the negotiation process—are almost always best avoided. You might believe your house is in perfect condition, or at least want potential buyers to think so, but claiming that can backfire quickly. It’s a classic foot-in-mouth moment. In truth, no home is ever truly perfect; there’s always something that could be repaired, updated, or improved. Buyers know this, and making such a statement can damage your credibility or spark unnecessary skepticism. A better approach is to highlight the home’s strengths while remaining open, honest, and flexible. Transparency builds trust and paves the way for smoother negotiations and better outcomes.
2. You are our second/tenth/thirtieth showing
Of all the things you could say to a potential buyer in closing a home sale in Anderson, this is the one most open to interpretation. The buyer will take it to mean whatever he or she wants it to mean.
If, say, you’ve had only a handful of showings, the buyer will likely interpret that to mean that the price is too high. If, on the other hand, you’ve had numerous showings, the buyer might take that to mean that something pretty major is wrong with the house. So you shouldn’t voluntarily offer any information about the number of showings (or any offers made).
3. Sure, we can negotiate on price
Yes, being flexible and willing to negotiate is usually a good and necessary thing. But you don’t want to give the impression at the very outset that you are ready to give way on what was thought to be a pretty firm price.
Besides, the price is only one ingredient in a good offer. Giving way on price right out of the gate may mean that you lose money in other areas as well. You also don’t want to give a buyer any false hopes – because that can certainly backfire later on.
The best policy is, leave the showings and price negotiations to your agent. After all, that’s why you hired them, isn’t it? So here’s the best answer to buyers’ loaded questions about price: “You’ll need to speak to my real estate agent on that.”
4. I won’t take less than $xxx,xxx for home
And here’s the other side of that pricing-proposition coin. If you let it be known right up front that you are intransigent – that you are unwilling to be flexible and negotiate – well, then, you have pretty much made sure that there will be no sale.
Haggling and negotiating are just part of the process. It’s expected by most people and enjoyed by some. But with all possibility of negotiating shut down at the very beginning, potential buyers will feel defeated and just give up. And if word gets out that you’re inflexible on price, you may find that buyers are avoiding your home.
Be mindful to avoid these four things you should never say when closing a home sale in Anderson, as they can easily turn buyers away. Equally important is knowing what to say to instill confidence and move the sale forward—and that’s exactly where a skilled real estate agent becomes invaluable. Your agent understands buyer psychology, market trends, and how to communicate effectively to secure the best outcome. With the right guidance, you can avoid common pitfalls, make a lasting impression, and confidently close the deal on your terms.