Spring and summer are traditionally the busiest months for home sales, with buyers actively searching and sellers hoping to maximize their profits. Yet many women unknowingly make a costly home equity mistake that can reduce their final proceeds by thousands of dollars. Whether selling after a divorce, downsizing, relocating for work, or moving into retirement, failing to accurately assess and protect home equity can leave money on the table. In a market where homeowners still hold historically high levels of equity, understanding how to avoid this common error has never been more important.