The Top 2 Things Homeowners Need To Know Before Selling

Here’s something every homeowner should know before selling: in today’s market, the sellers who win aren’t the ones sitting on the sidelines—they’re the ones who set the right strategy from the very beginning.

Many sellers this year didn’t get the results they hoped for. But it wasn’t because the market failed them. It was because their expectations didn’t match today’s reality.

Realtor.com reports that 57% more homes were taken off the market this year compared to last. That means they listed… but never sold. And the truth is, most of those missed sales came down to two things: pricing and timing.

Here are the top lessons you can take from those sellers:

1. Price It Right from the Start

Pricing is the biggest factor that makes or breaks a sale.

Today, 8 in 10 sellers expect to get their asking price or more—but the data tells a different story. Redfin reports that only 1 in 4 sellers (25.3%) are actually getting above list price.

A few years ago, you could list high and still attract multiple offers. But today’s buyers have more choices, and they’re being picky. If your home is even slightly overpriced, they’ll skip right past it.

Some sellers end up pulling their listings altogether—when all they really needed was a small price adjustment.

According to HousingWire, the average price reduction right now is just 4%.
That’s it. Just 4%.

If those sellers had priced 4% lower from day one, they may have already sold their home—smoothly and successfully.

Before you list, talk with your agent about how homes in your area are performing. The right agent will help you land on a competitive price that attracts buyers while still protecting your equity. And if you’ve owned your home for a while, your equity likely gives you the flexibility to price smartly and still come out ahead—something many sellers overlook.

2. Don’t Expect Overnight Results

Another common mistake: thinking your home will sell in a single weekend.

A lot of sellers still compare today’s market to the frenzy of 2020–2021, when homes were selling within hours. But those days are gone.

Right now, it takes around 60 days from listing to closing—that’s normal. It only feels slow because we’re comparing it to an unusually fast period in real estate.

Buyers today are more thoughtful and intentional. They’re taking their time to compare homes, explore options, and make confident decisions—which is actually a sign of a healthier market.

So if your home doesn’t go under contract immediately, don’t panic. It doesn’t mean it won’t sell.

To make your home stand out sooner rather than later, ask your agent about the best strategies—like staging, decluttering, professional photos, or strategic pricing—to attract serious buyers quickly.

Bottom Line

If you’re planning to sell, don’t let the headlines worry you. Let the market be your guide.

The listings that didn’t sell this year weren’t failures—they just started with the wrong strategy.

With the right price, the right timing, and a trusted local agent, you can position your home to succeed.

Because in today’s market, winning isn’t about waiting for things to change—it’s about setting the right expectations from day one.