7 Things Home Buyers Don’t Need to Know

Selling your home? Honesty is important… but so is strategy. While you should always be upfront about required disclosures (because, you know, legality), there are some things buyers just don’t need to hear. Oversharing can cost you in negotiations or even scare off potential buyers!

So, before you start spilling the tea during a showing, here are 7 things best kept to yourself.

1. “We’re Desperate to Sell!”

Even if you need to sell fast, the buyer doesn’t need to know that! If they catch even a whiff of desperation, expect lowball offers and tougher negotiations.

💡 What to say instead: “We’re excited for the next step, but we love this home and know it will be a great fit for the right buyer.” (Translation: we’re in no rush, so make your best offer!)

2. “We Haven’t Had Any Offers Yet.”

Buyers want to know they’re making a smart choice, and if they think no one else is interested, they might assume something is wrong with the house. Even if your home’s been sitting on the market longer than expected, don’t advertise it.

💡 What to say instead: “We’ve had some great interest, and we’re excited to see who will love this home as much as we do.” (Nice and vague but keeps the momentum!)

3. “We Never Use This Room.”

Even if that formal dining room has been nothing but a makeshift laundry station, or the basement is just a storage dungeon, you don’t want buyers to think any space is useless.

💡 What to do instead: Stage it! A room with a clear purpose (guest room, home office, gym) is way more appealing than an underused space. Let buyers envision its potential!

4. “The Neighbours Are a Nightmare.”

Maybe the guy next door mows his lawn at 6 AM or the family across the street has the loudest dog on the planet—but this is not something to share.

💡 What to say instead: If a buyer asks about the neighbourhood, highlight the positives—friendly people, great schools, quiet streets. Let them experience the vibe themselves before making assumptions.

5. “We Had a Major Leak/Infestation/Repair Issue.”

If you’ve had significant repairs, they must be disclosed properly. However, you don’t need to go into dramatic detail about every minor problem the house has ever had. A buyer hearing “We had mice, but we caught them all” will likely only remember the mice.

💡 What to say instead: “We’ve taken great care of the home and made improvements to keep it in top shape.” (Let your paperwork do the rest!)

6. “We Paid WAY Less Than This for the House.”

Buyers don’t need to know what you originally paid, especially if home prices have gone up since then. If they hear you bought for significantly less, they may feel less inclined to pay full price.

💡 What to say instead: “We’ve put a lot into the home over the years, and we’re confident it’s priced right for today’s market.”

7. “We’d Be Willing to Go Lower.”

Nothing kills negotiation power faster than showing your cards too soon. Even if you have a bottom-line price in mind, keep it to yourself until an actual offer is on the table.

💡 What to say instead: “We’re open to fair offers and excited to work with the right buyer.” (That’s the professional way of saying show us the money!)

Less Is More When Selling!

Buyers don’t need to know every little detail—just what’s relevant and necessary. By keeping negotiation power on your side, you’ll increase your chances of a smooth sale at top dollar.

Thinking of selling and want to make sure you’re saying all the right things? Let’s chat! I’ll help you get the best deal while keeping the process stress-free and fun.