When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. Your words can make or break a potential sale, so it’s really important that you know how to communicate with buyers effectively.

For a better chance of receiving an offer, here are some phrases you should avoid when speaking with potential buyers.

“We’re flexible on the price.”

Being open to negotiating is nice and all, but it doesn’t necessarily translate in real estate. Homeowners who are willing to come down on their price can come off as being desperate, which, to buyers, can mean that a.) there’s something wrong with the home or b.) they can offer any price and you’ll accept.

To avoid the miscommunication, focus on emphasizing the value of your property and let your real estate agent handle any price negotiations.

“We haven’t had any offers yet.”

Unfortunately, letting a potential buyer know this can raise red flags for them. They might wonder why no one is interested in the property, which can cause them to question its value. So even if you have a perfectly logical reason why you haven’t received an offer on the home, keep it on the hush-hush.

“We didn’t have time to fix that.”

They say honesty is the best policy, but being too honest can sometimes put you at a disadvantage. You don’t need to point out every single flaw in your home to potential buyers, only the major ones like structural issues or outdated systems. If not, buyers will just end up concentrating on everything wrong with the property rather than what’s right.

Instead, if someone asks about a specific problem, be honest but brief, and then quickly pivot back to the positive.

“We need to sell it fast.”

To some buyers, a homeowner who rushes to sell can unknowingly make it seem like their home is a burden to get rid of. This can lead many to propose a really low offer or to skip the home altogether.

Rather than make your home out to be a problem potential buyers will have to deal with, just focus on conveying your confidence in the value of your home. Your real estate agent can communicate any important deadline to buyers where necessary.

“The neighbors are great, except…”

Unless there is serious cause for concern, any annoyances that you have with your neighbors shouldn’t be communicated to potential buyers. Even a seemingly minor complaint can create doubt in the buyer’s mind about the living environment, which is the last thing you want if you’re looking for an offer.

When trying to sell your home, avoid saying anything negative about your neighbors or the neighborhood in general. It’s better to talk about what you like instead, like the convenient location or fun community events.

“We’re moving because…”

Telling a potential buyer why you plan to move can seem harmless, but that depends entirely on what that reason is. And your reason for moving can sometimes negatively impact a buyer’s perception.

For example, if you’re moving because you outgrew the space, buyers might think the home is too small. Or, if you tell them you’re moving for work, they might question job stability in the area.

In this case, whatever you say can be viewed as a slight against the property, so it’s best not to divulge your reasoning to buyers. If they ask, don’t lie but try to keep your reason vague and positive like wanting to be closer to family or looking for a change of scenery.

“You can always remodel.”

Suggesting that the home needs remodeling before they even move in can make buyers feel overwhelmed by the potential costs and effort required. Instead, highlight the current features and any recent upgrades that make the home worth the investment.

If anyone talks about wanting to make changes, try acknowledging their vision without suggesting that remodeling is necessary.