Is It Time to Put Your House Back on the Market?

If you took your house off the market in late 2024, you’re not the only one.

Newsweek reports that according to data from CoreLogic and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) nearly 73,000 homes were pulled from the market in December alone – that’s more than any other December going all the way back to 2017 (see graph below):

Whether it was because offers weren’t coming in, the timing around the holidays felt overwhelming, people we’re concerned about the new Administration, or they wanted to see if the market would improve in the new year – a lot of other homeowners decided to press pause.

But now, with the spring market here, you might want to reassess. The market is already picking up, and waiting any longer to jump back in may only mean you’ll face more competition from other sellers down the road.

Why Now Could Be the Right Time 

Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains that some of those sellers may have pulled their listings late last year with the goal of trying again this spring:  “Another reason for a step back could be that sellers wanted to wait and see how spring home buying season goes, and if mortgage rates fall, which would bring more home buyers and competition back in the market.”

That’s because spring is when buyer demand is typically at its highest point for the year. More people start their home search once the weather warms up. They’re eager to close on a home so they can move in during the summer. So, it’s a great window for sellers. It means more buyers.

Owning by the summer can obviously be a factor for many looking to move to Cape Cod.

And while mortgage rates haven’t fallen dramatically, they are staying at a more consistent level. Early signs also show buyers are becoming more active as a result. Since January, demand has picked up – and that should continue as spring draws even closer.

What To Do Differently This Time

Start by checking the status of your listing agreement. Even if you pulled your listing, you may still have a contract with your real estate broker. And until your listing expires, your agent or brokerage is your best resource on what else you could try to get it sold. 

If your contract is still active, now’s the perfect time to reconnect with your agent to explore strategies to get your home sold this time around.

If you are not interested in working with the broker you did in 2024, you can ask to be released from your agreement. Some will agree to your request, others won’t. Remember, your listing agreement is a binding contract, so no brokerage is obliged to honor your request.

If your contract has expired and you’re considering other options, reach out to trusted real estate professionals like us who can help you figure out where to go from here.

Either way, take some time to reflect on your last experience. What held you back from getting it sold before? And what can you do to improve your chances this time around? 

Be sure to include us in this thought process. We’ll give you an objective point of view and some advice based on what may have gone wrong last time, like: 

• Your Pricing Strategy: Did buyers overlook your house because it was priced too high? We can help you analyze the latest sales to make sure you’re hitting the right number. We have an effective pricing strategy that gets homes sold and the case studies to prove it. Believe it or not, you could actually be leaving money on the table by not pricing competitively. When it’s priced appropriately for the market, your opportunities for multiple offers and buyer competition increase.
• Your Marketing Approach: Was your home staged to look its best? Was a skilled photographer brought in for your listing photos? Or did your previous realtor use their cell phone? Small tweaks can make a big difference in how buyers see your house. Something as simple as taking new photos now that it’s spring can help your house show better than it did in the winter listing.
• Offering Concessions: Were you willing to offer incentives to buyers? As the supply of homes for sale grows, more sellers are entertaining the idea of concessions or incentives to get the deal done. If you weren’t open to those conversations before, that may have been a factor, too.
• Showings and Flexibility: Did you have limits on when buyers could see the home? If your house is accessible and available, you’ll likely get more offers.  

Bottom Line

If your house didn’t sell last year, spring may be your second chance. With buyer activity rising, it’s the perfect time to talk to us about coming back into the market with a fresh strategy. 

What do you want to do differently this time around?  Let’s connect at 508-360-5664 or [email protected] to go over your options and make a plan.

Mari and Hank

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.