3 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Jet
By Keanu Von Diez, ABA Member.
Selling your jet isn’t like selling your beach house. Mess it up, and you’re not just losing a few bucks—you could be leaving six figures (or more) on the table, or worse, setting yourself up for a lawsuit down the road.
I’ve seen these three mistakes more times than I care to count. Here’s how to avoid them.
1. Chasing the Fantasy Price
Yeah, I get it. You saw your buddy’s 2009 CJ3 listed at $5M on Controller, so you want the same for yours. Newsflash: Asking price isn’t selling price.
Overpricing:
- Makes your listing sit stale, turning it radioactive.
- Signals to brokers and buyers you’re not serious.
- Guarantees you’ll get lowball offers because buyers see it’s been sitting.
What to do instead:
- Get a data-backed valuation from a broker who’s active in the model you’re selling.
- Factor in engine program status, avionics upgrades, and days on market trends.
- Price it to move, not to stroke your ego.
2. Skimping on Pre-Sale Prep
Dirty carpets, faded de-ice boots, missing logbooks, deferred maintenance? Instant red flags.
A buyer’s prebuy will find everything you ignored, and guess what? They’ll use it to hammer your price or walk away entirely.
What to do instead:
- Clean it. Professionally. Inside and out.
- Tackle minor maintenance items that could derail a deal.
- Organize your logbooks like you’d want them if you were the buyer.
3. Going “Off-Market” Without a Strategy
Look, private deals can be great. But too many sellers think “off-market” means texting a couple of people and calling it a day. You’re leaving reach and leverage on the floor.
What to do instead:
- If you want privacy, work with a broker who actually knows qualified buyers, not someone guessing. If you want speed, listing publicly with pro photos, specs, and global reach often gets you more offers faster.
Bottom Line
You don’t have to sell your jet like an amateur. Avoid these mistakes:
✅ Price it right.
✅ Prep it right.
✅ Market it right.
About the Author
Keanu Von Diez is an ABA member and aircraft broker who helps owners sell smarter, avoid costly missteps, and move on to their next chapter with confidence.
