Top 7 Mistakes That Keep East Texas Homes from Selling (And How to Avoid Them When You’re Ready to List)

Tips for Sellers

Dec 1

Written By Kristin Koonce Burroughs, REALTOR®

If your home’s been sitting on the market longer than expected — or if you’re thinking about selling and want to make sure it doesn’t — you’re already ahead of the game by reading this.

The truth is, most homes in East Texas don’t fail to sell because there’s something wrong with them. They fail because of small, fixable mistakes that snowball over time — mistakes I see again and again as a listing agent across Longview, White Oak, Kilgore, Hallsville, Carthage, and surrounding East Texas communities.

So, before you put that “For Sale” sign in your yard (or re-launch your home in 2026), here are the seven biggest mistakes that keep East Texas homes from selling — and how to avoid them.

1. Overpricing from the Start

I get it — your home is special. You’ve poured love, time, and money into it. But pricing based on emotion rather than data is one of the biggest reasons homes sit unsold in East Texas.

Today’s buyers are informed. They know what similar homes in their area are worth thanks to Zillow, Redfin, and endless online tools. If your home hits the market overpriced, you lose the first wave of serious buyers — the ones most likely to make an offer quickly.

Then what happens? Your listing goes “stale.” Agents and buyers start to overlook it, even if you later drop the price.

The fix: Work with a listing agent who studies local data weekly — someone who knows exactly how homes in Longview, Hallsville, and Carthage are trending. Pricing it right from day one builds momentum and creates competition (which can actually drive up your final sales price).

2. Poor Listing Photos or No Storytelling

In today’s digital-first world, your photos are your first showing.

If your listing photos are dark, cluttered, or outdated, buyers scroll right past — even if your home checks all their boxes. I’ve seen beautiful East Texas properties overlooked because their photos didn’t show off what made them special: the wide-open views, wraparound porches, ponds, barns, or sunsets.

The fix: Professional photography (and video) changes everything. The right angles, lighting, and storytelling draw buyers in emotionally. As a listing agent, I don’t just list homes — I showcase lifestyles. Whether it’s highlighting morning coffee on the porch in White Oak or the open pastures in Carthage, we tell the story of your property.

3. Neglecting Curb Appeal

In East Texas, outdoor beauty matters. Our buyers often want land, views, and a sense of peace — and if the first impression doesn’t match that, they move on.

Tall grass, peeling paint, or an overgrown driveway can instantly turn off buyers before they even step inside.

The fix: A few weekend projects can make a world of difference. Mow the pasture, power wash the porch, touch up trim, add seasonal plants, and make sure the entrance feels inviting. Remember — you’re not just selling a home; you’re selling a lifestyle.

4. Ignoring Small Updates That Add Big Value

Outdated fixtures, paint colors, or flooring can make buyers assume your home needs more work than it does. You don’t need a full renovation — just a few simple updates that make your home feel fresh and move-in ready.

The fix: Fresh paint, new hardware, updated light fixtures, and modern faucets can completely change how a home feels. When I help my sellers prepare, we focus on low-cost, high-impact improvements that photograph beautifully and appeal to today’s buyers.

5. Limited Marketing Exposure

Putting your home on the MLS and crossing your fingers is not a marketing plan.

Today’s buyers discover homes through social media, Google searches, YouTube, and digital ads — long before they ever call an agent. If your listing isn’t visible where buyers are actually looking, it’s invisible altogether.

The fix: A strong marketing plan should include:

Professional listing photos & video tours
Targeted Facebook and Instagram ads
SEO-optimized blog features (like this one!)
Drone footage that shows your land and surroundings
Email marketing to active buyer networks

As a go-to East Texas listing agent, I take marketing seriously because visibility = showings = offers.

6. Making Showings Difficult

If buyers can’t get in easily, they won’t try twice. Limited showing windows, uncooperative tenants, or even a house that’s not show-ready can cost you opportunities.

The fix: Make your home as easy to show as possible — flexible hours, minimal restrictions, and a home that feels open and welcoming. The goal is to make buyers feel at home the moment they walk through the door.

7. Choosing the Wrong Agent

This one’s big. Not all agents specialize in selling. Some focus on working with buyers. Others don’t understand rural or land-based listings.

The truth? Selling in East Texas takes local experience, smart pricing, and an agent who knows how to create demand — not just list your home and wait.

The fix: Hire an agent who lives and breathes this market. Someone who understands what makes East Texas buyers tick, how to market your property type, and how to negotiate strategically to get you top dollar.

If you’re thinking about selling in 2026, or if your last experience left you frustrated, now’s the time to start planning your listing strategy. When you have a clear plan, the right pricing, and the right agent — your home doesn’t just sell, it stands out.

Final Thoughts

Every home has a story — and every seller deserves a strategy that works.

I’ve helped countless East Texas homeowners go from “Why isn’t this selling?” to “We got the offer we wanted.” Whether you’re in Longview, White Oak, Kilgore, Hallsville, or Carthage, I can help you price it right, market it strategically, and sell it confidently.

If you’re thinking about selling your home in 2026, let’s connect now to start building your strategy. The market’s changing — but with the right plan, your home can still shine.

CLICK HERE TO GET A FREE HOME VALUE REPORT.

I don’t just list properties…I SELL THEM! #getlistinwithkristin

Kristin Koonce, REALTOR®
(903)241-2608
kristinkoonce@gmail.com
www.kristinkoonce.com
BOLD Real Estate Group, Suzanne Smith, Broker/Owner

Tips for Sellers

Kristin Koonce Burroughs, REALTOR®

My name is Kristin Koonce Burroughs and I’m a REALTOR® in East Texas for BOLD Real Estate Group.

For starters, I’m not your average real estate agent! I jumped into this business boldly four (4) years ago because I want to make a difference. I want to do what other realtors aren’t doing.

My entire business is built around loving people well. That’s my business philosophy and that’s what I’m all about! I want others to be so delighted with my services, they can’t help but tell their friends about their experience with me. I want my clients to say, “Working with Kristin is better than trying to do this alone.”

In regards to my work ethic, I’m a morning person and I get the majority of my work done before most people’s alarms go off. I’m creative, proactive, a go-getter, self-disciplined, and self-motivated with an appetite to grow and be better than I was yesterday. I’m a problem solver who is strategic and thinks outside of the box. I have a lot of energy, talk fast, work quickly, and don’t drag my feet. I care a great deal about offering integrity, kindness, grace, and punctuality to the clients, agents, lenders, inspectors, appraisers, and title companies I interact with. I treat every client as if they were my only client because that matters to me. Folks can tell when a realtor is too busy or inattentive.

I’m not in it for the money, but I will absolutely earn my paycheck. Realtors are the most expensive part of a real estate transaction. If someone is going to trust me with the biggest financial decision they will ever make, then you can bet your bottom dollar I’m going to make sure they get their money’s worth. I’m going the extra mile. It’s who I am. I put my all into everything I do.

So, if you’re looking for a real estate agent in East Texas who can help you list property or buy property, let’s chat. You won’t regret it.

https://www.kristinkoonce.com