(Your home holds memories—but emotions can cloud your judgment and cost you real money)
This is one of the trickiest—and most human—mistakes sellers make. You’re not just selling a house. You’re selling your home. The place you’ve lived, loved, maybe raised a family. That emotional attachment? It’s real. And if you’re not careful, it can seriously affect your decision-making.
Here’s something most sellers don’t realize—but seasoned agents and brokers know it all too well:
A seller will accept a different offer on any given day depending on their emotional state.
One day, you’re feeling motivated—you just found out your daughter had a baby and you can’t wait to move closer to the grandkids. That offer that comes in? Suddenly, it looks pretty good.
The next day, you’re feeling nostalgic. You walked through the house and remembered when you painted the walls, had birthday parties in the kitchen, or played catch in the backyard. That same offer now feels insulting. You turn it down.
It happens all the time.
Smart agents—especially the ones representing buyers—understand this. They’ll use it to time their offers, apply pressure, and get you to react quickly. That’s why it’s so important to check in with yourself emotionally before you respond to anything.
The danger?
You might accept too little because you’re upset…
Or walk away from a great deal because you’re feeling sentimental.
House Karma Tip:
Don’t rush. Take a beat.
You do not have to respond to an offer on the spot. If a buyer’s agent tells you “they need an answer today,” that’s a tactic—not a rule. Take the time you need to think clearly. Ask yourself:
- Am I reacting emotionally, or thinking logically?
- Why am I selling this home in the first place?
- Will this offer help me achieve the life I want next?
If you need a day—or two—to process it, take it. The smartest decisions are made when your head and your heart are aligned.
