The Top Two Must-Knows for Homeowners Before Listing Their Home

Before you put your house on the market, there’s something important to keep in mind: the sellers who succeed right now aren’t the ones holding back or waiting for the “perfect” moment. They’re the ones who adjust early and set the right expectations.

Many homeowners this year didn’t get the results they hoped for—not because the market is broken, but because their expectations were off.

Realtor.com notes that 57% more homes were pulled off the market this year compared to last. In other words, plenty of people listed… but didn’t sell. And honestly, most of those situations came down to just two factors: pricing and timing.

If those sellers had approached both with the right mindset, their experience could have been very different. Here are the top two lessons you can take from their mistakes:

1. Start with the Right Price
Pricing is the biggest hurdle. Right now, 8 out of 10 sellers expect to get their full asking price or even more—but the market isn’t matching that level of optimism.

Redfin shows that only about 1 in 4 sellers (25.3%) are actually getting above their list price.

Here’s where that disconnect really comes from:

A few years back, you could name almost any price and buyers would still show up—often willing to pay even more. But that’s not the market we’re in today.

Buyers now have more choices than they’ve had in a long time, which means they can be picky. If your home is even slightly overpriced, it can get passed over immediately.

For many sellers who experienced that, instead of making a small adjustment that could’ve completely turned things around, they chose to pull their listing altogether. And that’s the unfortunate part—because most of the time, a minor price reduction is all it takes to spark interest and attract the right buyers.

HousingWire says the average price cut right now is only about 4%.

Just think about that. Some sellers are listing too high and then quitting rather than adjusting by a simple 4%. If they had started 4% lower from the beginning, they might have already sold. That’s why it’s so important to work with your agent before listing. They’ll help you understand what’s working in your area and where your home fits, so you can choose a price that’s competitive, realistic, and still protects your bottom line.

And here’s the best part: if you’ve owned your home for several years, your equity gives you flexibility. You can price your home smartly and still walk away with a great return. Unfortunately, many of those other sellers didn’t take advantage of that.

2. Be Patient with the Process
Another frequent mistake is assuming your home will sell immediately.

Many sellers still recall the days when houses could sell within hours and expect the same speed now. But in today’s market, that’s rarely the case.

On average, it takes about 60 days to go from listing to closing—a timeframe that’s actually quite normal (see the gray area in the graph below):

It may feel slower now because sellers are comparing it to the rapid pace of 2020 and 2021.

Think of it like driving 65 mph on the highway, then slowing down to 25 mph on city streets. It feels slow, but it’s actually the appropriate speed for where you are. Many sellers struggle to adjust to this shift—but you can get ahead by understanding what to expect.

Today’s buyers are more deliberate. They’re taking time to weigh options and make thoughtful decisions, which is helping create a healthier housing market.

So, if you’re planning to sell, don’t expect an immediate sale. And don’t worry if your home doesn’t go under contract the first weekend—it’s completely normal for the process to take time.

To sell as quickly as possible, work with your agent on ways to make your home stand out, whether through staging, professional photography, or smart pricing. With the right strategy, preparation, and price, your home can still sell quickly.

Bottom Line
If you’re considering selling, let the market guide you instead of discouraging you. Homes that didn’t sell this year weren’t failures—they just started with the wrong approach.

You can still succeed by pricing correctly, being patient, and working with a knowledgeable local agent who can position your home effectively from the start.

In today’s market, success isn’t about waiting for conditions to change—it’s about setting the right expectations from day one.