WOULD YOU BUY THESE HOMES? Real Estate Listings Exposed!

by Kati Spaniak

WOULD YOU BUY THESE HOMES? Real Estate Listings Exposed!

Discover the biggest mistakes sellers make when listing their homes online — from bad listing photos to costly pre-sale updates that don’t pay off. Learn how to make your first showing count and sell your home faster for more money.

Your First Showing Is Always Online

In today’s digital market, your home’s first showing isn’t at an open house — it’s online. The photos, the order they appear in, and even tiny details in the background all shape how buyers perceive your property.

In my latest YouTube video, “Would You Buy These Homes? Real Estate Listings Exposed,” I review three real listings — the good, the bad, and the confusing — and share expert insight on what sellers should do before going live on the market.

What Sellers Get Wrong About Home Photos

Your photos are your first impression. One stunning picture can grab attention — but one bad photo can turn buyers away instantly.
Here’s what I found reviewing these listings:

Twilight photos: Beautiful, but easily over-edited. A genuine twilight shot shows warmth and depth; a fake one can feel flat and unnatural.
Photo order matters: The best images should always appear first. Don’t start strong and then show cracks in the driveway or dated interiors.
Consistency counts: Crooked, yellow-tinted, or blurry photos make your home look neglected.

👉 Pro Tip: Your first 10 photos should tell the story of your home’s best features — clean, bright, and emotionally engaging.

The Costly Fixes That Don’t Pay Off

Not every upgrade adds value. Many sellers waste money updating things that won’t boost their sale price. For example:

Cracked concrete: Skip it unless you’re planning to live there for years — it’s rarely worth fixing right before selling.
Replacing countertops: A new surface can’t disguise old cabinets. Buyers will see right through it.
Painting old kitchens: Cosmetic fixes can only go so far if the layout and materials are outdated.

Instead, focus on deferred maintenance and deep cleaning. Power wash driveways, align house numbers, and make sure windows and screens look crisp and symmetrical. These small touches signal “well cared for” to buyers.

Think Like a Buyer (Or a Hotel Guest)

When prepping your bedrooms, imagine them as hotel rooms. Would you stay there? Are the linens clean, the decor fresh, and the lighting bright?
Buyers want to feel comfortable — not like they’ve stepped into someone else’s private space. Neutral, inviting rooms sell faster and photograph better.

Why Great Agents Matter

The video also dives into how agent experience impacts your listing success.
I reviewed a property listed by a discount “flat-fee” brokerage. The photos were blurry, the descriptions lacked emotion, and the home had been sitting unsold for over a year — despite being freshly remodeled.

That’s the risk of cutting corners on professional representation. Experienced agents:

Know which updates are worth doing
Hire skilled photographers
Understand buyer psychology
Catch upload or MLS errors that can destroy your listing’s appeal

When you list your home, you need more than just a “for sale” sign — you need strategy, experience, and marketing expertise.

How to Find the Right Agent

If you’re unsure how to choose a trustworthy, high-performing real estate agent, I can help.
Click here https://katispaniak.com/ to get a personalized list of 2–3 vetted agents in your area. My team and I have helped thousands of sellers connect with experienced professionals who know how to get homes sold — fast, for top dollar, and stress-free.

Selling your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming — but it does require strategy. From your listing photos to your pricing strategy, every detail counts.

Remember: