What Successful Sellers Do Differently in Today’s Market

Chris Ess
Nov 15
3 min read

Here’s the truth about selling your home right now: the sellers who win in this market aren’t sitting on the sidelines. They’re the ones who adapt early and plan smart from day one.

A lot of homeowners this year didn’t get the results they wanted. But it wasn’t because the market’s broken. Most of the time, it came down to expectations.

According to Realtor.com, 57% more homes have been taken off the market compared to last year. That means plenty of people listed but didn’t sell. In most cases, it came down to two things: price and timing.

Let’s talk about both.

1. Price It Right From the Start

Pricing is the number one reason homes sit. Eight out of ten sellers expect to get their asking price or more, but the reality looks different. According to Redfin, only about one in four sellers actually sells for over asking.

A few years ago, you could price high and still get offers rolling in. Buyers didn’t have many options then. Today, they do—and if your price feels even a little off, they’ll move on fast.

Some sellers end up pulling their homes off the market instead of making a small adjustment that could’ve made all the difference. The average price cut right now is only about 4%.

That’s it. Four percent. If some of those homes had just started there, they might already be sold.

Before you list, talk to your agent about what’s working in your area. The goal is to find that sweet spot where your price stands out but still protects your bottom line.

And if you’ve owned your home for a while, there’s a good chance your equity gives you plenty of flexibility to price competitively and still come out ahead.

2. Don’t Expect It To Sell Overnight

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

Yes, homes were flying off the market back in 2020 and 2021. But that was an unusual time. Today, homes are taking closer to 60 days from listing to sold—which is actually completely normal.

Think of it like going from highway speed to a neighborhood road. It feels slower, but it’s the right pace for where you are.

Today’s buyers are more thoughtful. They’re comparing homes, weighing their options, and taking their time before they make a move. That’s a sign of a healthier market—not a bad one.

So if your home doesn’t go under contract in the first week, don’t panic. It doesn’t mean it won’t sell.

To help it stand out, focus on the details that matter: quality photos, professional staging, and a strategy that puts your home in front of the right buyers. With the right price and preparation, you can still sell quickly.

graph showing median days on the market since 2017

If you’re thinking about selling, don’t let the market discourage you. Let it inform your strategy. The homes that didn’t sell this year weren’t failures, they just started with the wrong expectations.

Success today comes down to three things: