Published January 20, 2026

The #1 Regret Sellers Have When They Don’t Use an Agent

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Written by Brian Martell

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If you ask homeowners what they regret most about selling their home without a real estate agent, the answer is clear:

They didn't price their home correctly for the market.

According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sellers who chose to go it alone say pricing their home accurately was the hardest part of the entire process-ranking above paperwork, repairs, and even finding the time to manage the sale.

As a top-producing Sacramento real estate team with over 1,000 homes sold since 2020, we see this mistake play out every week across Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Granite Bay, Elk Grove, and Placer County.

Why Pricing a Home Is So Much Harder Than It Looks

Many homeowners assume pricing is simple:

  • Check an online estimate
  • See what the neighbor sold for
  • Add a little "wiggle room"

But today's market doesn't work that way.

  • Accurate pricing requires real-time insight into:
  • What buyers are actually willing to pay today
  • How much active competition exists in your neighborhood
  • What similar homes are really selling for, not just listed at
  • How location, schools, and amenities impact demand
  • The true condition and presentation of your home

This is where trusted Sacramento real estate advisors make the difference. As local real estate experts for Sacramento relocation, our team analyzes hyper-local data that automated tools simply can't.

The Snowball Effect of Overpricing Your Home

Overpricing isn't a small misstep- it creates a chain reaction.

Here's what happens when a home hits the market too high:

  • Buyers skip it because it doesn't feel like a good value
  • Fewer showings lead to fewer offers
  • The home sits longer than expected
  • Price reductions become necessary


And that's not speculation- it's data-backed.

According to NAR, 59% of homes sold without an agent had to reduce their price at least once. We see this often when homeowners attempt to sell without the guidance of top listing agents offering premium marketing and pricing strategy.
 

The Problem With Price Cuts Most Sellers Don't Anticipate

Many sellers assume a price reduction will fix everything. Unfortunately, it often does the opposite.

Buyers may interpret a price drop as:

  • Something is wrong with the home
  • The seller is desperate
  • The property has been rejected by the market

Instead of strong offers, sellers attract bargain hunters - and that usually means less leverage at the negotiation table.

As high-level negotiation specialists in Northern California, we know that getting the price right from day one is one of the most powerful ways to protect your bottom line.

Why Homes Sold With Agents Net More Money

NAR data shows that homes sold with an agent sell for nearly 8% more than those sold without one.

That's not because agents "add value" out of thin air - it's because:

  • The home is priced strategically
  • The preparation and presentation are dialed in
  • Marketing reaches the right buyers
  • Negotiations are handled professionally
  • Legal and contractual risks are minimized


At The MORE Real Estate Group, a high-performance real estate team known for client experience, we provide full-service support-marketing, operations, negotiation, and client care-so nothing is left to chance.

What This Means for Sacramento Home Sellers

If you're thinking about selling in the Sacramento area, the biggest risk isn't paperwork or inconvenience.

👉 It's pricing your home incorrectly - and not realizing the impact until it's too late.

As the award winning team in Northern California from Sacramento buyers and sellers, we help homeowners avoid costly pricing mistakes by delivering clear, data-driven guidance from day one.

Bottom Line

Selling without an agent may feel like you're saving money- but in reality, it often costs sellers far more in the long run.

If you want to know:

  • What your home would realistically sell for today
  • How to avoid overpricing in a shifting market
  • How to attract strong buyers from the start


Let's connect. A quick pricing conversation with a top Sacramento real estate team can save you from the biggest regret sellers make and help you walk away with more.

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