Thinking about waiting for that “perfect” buyer to walk through the door? In today’s market, waiting is rarely the issue. More often, it comes down to how your home is priced.
Why Homes Are Sitting Longer
Homes are staying on the market longer than they did a year ago. Realtor.com reports the typical home spent 60 days on the market in August, about a week longer than the year before, and above pre-pandemic averages. That’s the 17th month in a row where homes have taken more time to sell.
Why? Two big reasons:
- More competition. With more listings available, buyers have options.
- Pricing. In many cases, homes are simply priced above where the market is today.
The Pricing Reality Sellers Need to Know
Here’s the shift: list prices have been holding steady for the past few years. That’s a big change from what sellers grew used to during the rapid run-up in 2021 and 2022, when buyers were paying over asking with multiple offers.
Today’s buyers are cautious, selective, and very price-sensitive. When a home is even slightly overpriced, it tends to sit—because buyers just move on to the next one.
Are You Priced Too High?
If your home has been on the market without much activity, the market may already be telling you something. According to Bankrate, here are four signs your price might be working against you:
- Very few showing requests
- No offers, or only lowball ones
- Negative feedback from buyers who tour your home
- Days on market well above the local average
If this sounds familiar, patience won’t solve it—but a price adjustment could.
The Solution: Pricing for Today, Not Yesterday
Work with your agent to make sure your home is priced in line with current conditions—not last year’s market, and not the peak of the pandemic. The good news? Even a small adjustment can spark new interest, reset buyer perception, and get your home moving again.
And remember—if you’ve owned your home for several years, you’ve likely built up a lot of equity. That puts you in a strong position even if you don’t sell for quite as much as you originally hoped.
Bottom Line
Patience is not a selling strategy. Price is.
If your home isn’t selling, it’s usually not about waiting for the right buyer—it’s about meeting today’s market where it’s at. The right price makes all the difference.