You Asked… I Answered: The TRUTH Behind Seller Advice No One Talks About. Selling a house in 2026 requires real estate advice you can trust, expert home selling tips, and a clear understanding of what actually works in today’s market. This video exposes the truth behind common seller advice found online and explains what really helps you sell your home faster and for more money. You asked… I answered. In this video, I react to real seller advice from my comment section and break down how much of it is helpful, how much is harmful, and how much could cost you thousands of dollars if you follow it. The internet is full of strong opinions about selling a home, but not all advice comes from experience, and not all of it reflects how buyers think in the real world. Throughout the video, I cover topics that matter most to modern sellers: preparing the home before listing, fixtures and personal property, decluttering, repairs, pricing strategy, buyer psychology, and the value of a local expert. These are issues real homeowners struggle with every single week, and misunderstandings in these areas lead to longer days on market, frustrating negotiations, and missed opportunities. My goal is to give you clarity and confidence. When you understand how buyers evaluate homes, what they instantly notice, and what makes them walk away, you gain a real advantage. Selling a home isn’t just about posting photos online — it’s about presentation, preparation, market knowledge, and informed decision-making.
REACTING TO SELLER ADVICE IN MY COMMENTS SECTION
You know what’s funny? Every time I post about selling homes, the internet has opinions.
Thousands of them in fact.
Some comments are spot on.
Some completely miss the mark.
And some — are just plain entertaining.
But buried in all that chaos is some real truth — the kind that could make or break your home sale.
So today, I’m breaking down the best (and worst) seller advice I’ve ever seen in my comment section — and sharing what’s actually true from an agent’s perspective.
Because let’s be honest — no one can afford to get this stuff wrong.
If you’re new here, I’m Alisha Collins with the ALisha Collins Real Estate Team based right here out of Casper, Wyoming.
Let’s get right into it.
💬 First comment I’m responding to: “If you have anything special in your house — like a vintage chandelier or your mom’s rosebush — replace or remove it before you list!”
Alisha:
YES. I could not agree more.
I tell every seller: if you love it, take it down before the first showing, before photos, before your agent even walks through the house with you. Because once buyers see it, they might assume it stays.
If Grandma’s chandelier or that perfect rain shower head is something you want to keep — go ahead and swap it now. Replace it with something neutral. You’ll avoid arguments later about what’s considered a “fixture.”
And for outdoor things like rosebushes or special plants — I’ve seen those become deal-breakers! If you want to keep them, dig them up early, fill the space with mulch or new flowers, and move on. Don’t wait until a buyer falls in love with your garden to decide you want to keep it.
💬 COMMENT 2: This commenter said: “If you don’t want it to stay, remove it prior to listing or exclude it from the sale.”
Alisha:
Exactly. Fixtures are one of the most confusing parts of a sale. The general rule?
If it’s screwed, glued or nailed — it stays.
That means curtain rods, wall-mounted TVs (not the TV itself but the mount), light fixtures, shelving, even that floating shelf you hung up three years ago.
If you plan to take it — either remove it before photos or have your agent list it as excluded in the contract. Don’t assume buyers will know what you meant. Because trust me, they won’t.
And if you remove it — patch and paint! Buyers notice holes, and that’s the kind of thing that makes them wonder what else hasn’t been finished properly.
💬 COMMENT 3: This comment says: “We decluttered and used storage totes. Our agent staged two rooms virtually, listed on Monday, and had multiple offers by Friday.”
Alisha:
Okay — can we just give this person a round of applause? 👏👏👏
That’s exactly how it’s done — well, mostly. I love the decluttering and preparation part, but let’s talk about staging for a second.
In my market, we cannot use virtual staging in MLS photos — and honestly, I prefer the real thing anyway. My team provides light, in-person staging because it makes such a huge difference in how a home feels. We focus on the main living areas — the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathrooms — and here’s the best part: we have enough furniture and décor to stage about ten homes at once, and we never charge extra for it.
If the home is occupied, we bring in our professional stager to walk through and make sure the flow feels right. Sometimes that means removing a few pieces, rearranging, or adding small touches that make the space pop in photos and in person. The goal isn’t to make your home look like a magazine — it’s to make it feel balanced, welcoming, and easy for buyers to imagine themselves living there.
💬 COMMENT 4: “There are serious benefits to decluttering and downsizing before you move — less to move, less stress, easier to keep the house show-ready.”
Alisha:
This one right here should be printed on every yard sign.
When you declutter before listing, you’re not just helping the sale — you’re helping your future self. You’ll move faster, feel less overwhelmed, and keep the house in “showing shape” without scrambling every time a buyer wants to come by.
Plus, buyers can tell when a home feels heavy with stuff. Clutter subconsciously tells them the home doesn’t have enough storage — even if it does!
So yes, less is more. And if you have kids or pets, take advantage of storage units or garages to stash what you don’t need daily. Buyers aren’t just buying your house — they’re buying a feeling.
💬 COMMENT 5: This person said: “Clutter is a turn-off right from the photos. I just move on to the next property.”
Alisha:
Exactly. You have seconds to make an impression online.
If your photos show clutter, dark lighting, or countertops covered in appliances — you’ve lost most buyers before they ever step foot in your door.
I’ve literally seen buyers swipe past homes that were great deals because the pictures were messy. Really think about that. You can lose thousands of dollars in potential offers over a few piles of laundry or cluttered shelves.
So before photos — go through each room and remove absolutely anything that distracts from the space. A good rule? Three decorative items per surface max. And yes, that includes the kitchen counters!
💬 COMMENT 6: This person said: “And please clean your bathtubs! Maybe hire a cleaning service while you’re trying to sell.”
Alisha:
This might sound simple, but it’s one of the biggest things that separates homes that sell from homes that sit.
Buyers notice cleanliness before they notice upgrades. You can have quartz counters and brand-new floors, but if the bathroom’s grimy, they’ll think the whole house isn’t cared for.
And listen — if you can afford it, hire a cleaning service weekly during the listing period. It’s worth every penny. Your stress goes down, and your showing appeal skyrockets. You’re competing against move-in ready homes — so yours needs to look move-in ready.
💬 COMMENT 7: “If they’re neglecting visible things, what else are they neglecting?”
Alisha:
YES. This one gives me chills because it’s exactly what buyers think.
When a buyer walks into a home and sees little things like chipped paint, broken blinds, or leaky faucets, their brain immediately says, “If they didn’t fix this, what’s going on behind the walls?”
That’s why I always tell sellers — fix the visible stuff first. You don’t need to remodel your whole house, but take care of anything that screams “deferred maintenance.”
Clean, repair, touch up, and replace what’s cheap but noticeable. It builds buyer confidence — and confidence leads to offers.
💬 COMMENT 8: “We split the cost of repairs with the buyer. It all worked out for both parties.”
Alisha:
I’m SO glad that worked out for you, because in some situations, splitting repairs can be a win-win. But let’s be honest — that’s not always how it goes.
When you’re selling a home, big-ticket items like roofs, foundations, or sewer lines are rarely things you can just “split” or ignore. If an inspection reveals a major issue and you decide not to fix it, you’ll have to disclose it to every future buyer anyway. That means you’ll either fix it now or explain it later — and usually, the longer you wait, the more complicated (and expensive) it gets.
Sometimes sellers get hung up on a list of smaller repairs — paint, outlets, cracked tiles — but those are rarely deal breakers. The major systems are what matter most. If the roof is at the end of its life or the sewer line’s failing, those are things buyers typically expect to be addressed.
It’s not always fun to tackle those big repairs, but doing it once and doing it right protects you legally, helps your home appraise, and gives the next buyer confidence that the property’s been cared for.
💬 COMMENT 9: This person said: “What are some things I should fix before moving in vs. after closing?”
Alisha:
This is such a smart question — and one that applies to sellers too.
If you’re selling and planning to buy right after, take notes here.
Buyers (and new homeowners) should focus on safety and functionality first — things like locks, outlets, leaks, or tripping hazards. Cosmetic stuff can wait.
For sellers, that means making sure those same systems are working. If your electrical outlets, HVAC, or plumbing have known issues — take care of them before listing. You’ll either pay for it now or pay for it during negotiations later.
Buyers want to feel like the home was cared for — not like they’re inheriting a to-do list.
💬 COMMENT 10: This comment says: “I’d NEVER look to Instagram or Facebook to buy a house. I’d assume it’s a scam.”
Alisha:
I get it — and you’re not wrong to be cautious. There are definitely scams out there, especially when it comes to rentals or fake listings. But let’s clear something up: real estate marketing on social media isn’t just legit — it’s essential.
Nobody wakes up in the morning and says, “I think I’ll buy a house today.” That’s not how it works. Something catches their attention — maybe a For Sale sign they drive past, maybe a Facebook ad, or maybe a quick video tour on Instagram or YouTube that makes them stop scrolling and start imagining their next move. That little spark is what gets the ball rolling.
That’s why a good agent markets everywhere. Online, offline, social media, YouTube, open houses — because you never know where your buyer will come from. The more eyes on your home, the better your chances of finding the buyer who’s ready, willing, and able to make the move.
And yes — always verify who you’re talking to online. Check their website, their brokerage, their phone number. A legitimate agent will never ask for deposits or personal info through DMs. But if you’re working with a professional team, that online exposure isn’t a risk — it’s your advantage.
💬 COMMENT 11: “How much time before a house expires?”
Alisha:
In most markets, listing agreements are between 60 and 90 days — sometimes longer depending on price point and season.
If your home isn’t selling by then, that’s your signal to reevaluate. Maybe the price, maybe the photos, maybe the marketing.
And if your house did expire? Don’t panic. It doesn’t mean your home can’t sell — it just means the strategy needs to change. I have a whole video series on that exact topic, by the way.
💬 COMMENT 12: This comment says: “I listened to the advice and used the same agent because they’re local experts.”
Alisha:
Yes — that right there is what every seller should do. When you find a local agent who truly knows your market and you trust them – stick with them.
Real estate isn’t just about listing your home — it’s about strategy. A local expert knows what’s selling, what’s sitting, and why. They know how buyers in your area think, what price points get the most attention, and how to position your home so it stands out in this market — not last year’s.
Loyalty pays off too. When you have a relationship with an agent who’s invested in your success, you get honesty instead of hype. They’ll tell you what you need to hear, not just what sounds good. And that can make the difference between selling fast and sitting on the market.
I’ve seen sellers bounce between agents chasing higher price promises, and it almost always ends the same way — frustration. When you work with someone who understands the local rhythm of buying and selling, who’s connected in the community, and who’s not afraid to give you straight answers, you’ll get better results every single time.
💬 COMMENT 13: This commenter said: “It’s only worth what someone’s willing to pay.”
Alisha:
I could make this my ringtone.
It’s true — your house isn’t worth what you need it to be worth. It’s worth what a ready, willing, and able buyer will pay in today’s market.
You can love your home, you can have memories in every wall — but the market doesn’t calculate emotion.
When you price based on reality, you sell faster and for more money. When you price based on attachment, you end up chasing the market down.
I love these conversations — because they’re real. They show what buyers and sellers are actually thinking.
If you’re thinking about selling, take these comments to heart. Fix what’s visible. Declutter like your paycheck depends on it. Communicate clearly. And please remember — the best sale is the one where everyone walks away feeling good.
Selling a home isn’t easy — and your comments prove it.
You’re dealing with ghosting agents, confusing rules, rising fees, and stressful surprises. But the good news is — when you’re informed, you are the one in control.
If you’re thinking of moving to Wyoming, reach out to me. My team and I have time for you, we love talking with all of you and we want to help you find the right community for your lifestyle. Tell me any questions you have about selling a house in the comments!
We post a new Wyoming video every single week based off of highly requested comments from you, on Friday’s at 4pm MST so do not forget to hit subscribe, and ring that bell so that you never miss a Wyoming Video!
I host a virtual seller seminar twice a month, so grab that registration link in the description box down below and I’ll see you then!
Remember we want you to love where you live, see you soon!