So, you’ve decided to place your home on the market. In addition to enlisting a professional real estate agent, you’ll need to know what not to do when selling your house. Here, RISMedia offers a handful of things to get you started.

1. Don’t over-improve

As you prepare to list your home, you might realize that you can get a great return on your investment if you make a couple of changes. While updating appliances or replacing a cracked cabinet in the bath are great ideas, it’s important not to over-improve—or make improvements that are hyper-specific to your tastes.

For example, not everyone wants a finished basement decked out with a lifted stage for their rock ’n’ roll buds to jam out on or a wet bar. Your buyers could be family-oriented and want a basement space for their kids to play in, and that rock ’n’ roll room may look like a huge project for them to un-do. Make any needed fixes to your space, but don’t go above and beyond, because you may lose money doing so.

2. Don’t over-decorate

Over-decorating can be just as bad as over-improving. Although you might love the look of lace and lavender, a potential buyer may enter your home and cringe. When prepping for sale, it’s a good idea to neutralize your decorating scheme to make it more universally appealing.

3. Don’t hang around

When your agent calls to let you know buyers will be visiting that afternoon, don’t bring together your entire family and wait for them at the door with fresh-baked cookies and big smiles. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your space, not be confronted by you in your space.

It can be awkward for a potential buyer to go about judging your home while you are overseeing the process. Get out of the house, take the kids along, and if you can’t leave for whatever reason, at least go sit in the backyard.

4. Don’t take things personally

Real estate is a business, but buying and selling homes can be extremely emotional. However, when selling your home, try your very best not to take things personally. When a buyer lowballs you or says they will need to replace your prized 1970’s vintage shag carpet with something “more modern,” try not to get upset.