Melissa here — and if you’re thinking about selling in Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, or anywhere in Greater Boston, I want you starting ahead of the game, not playing catch-up.
The homeowners who win in today’s market aren’t the ones waiting on the sidelines. They’re the ones who step in with the right strategy and the right expectations from day one.
This year, a surprising number of sellers didn’t get the outcome they wanted. Not because the market is “bad,” but because their expectations were. And the data proves it.
Realtor.com found 57% more homes were taken off the market compared to last year. That means they listed… but didn’t sell. And honestly? Most of those misses came down to two things: price and timing.
When you get those right, everything else starts clicking into place. So let’s talk about the two biggest lessons you can learn from the sellers who struggled—and how you can avoid the exact same mistakes.
1. Price It Right From the Start
Let’s start with the big one: pricing.
Today, 8 in 10 sellers expect to get their asking price or more. But according to Redfin, only 1 in 4 sellers actually do. That gap between expectation and reality? That’s where things fall apart.
A few years ago, you could throw almost any number on your listing and still get swarmed. Today’s buyers are more informed, more selective, and have more choices than they’ve had in years. If your price feels even a touch high, they’ll scroll right past it.
Here’s the wild part: many sellers see their listing sit… and instead of adjusting, they pull it entirely. When really? A tiny tweak might’ve solved everything.
According to HousingWire, the average price cut right now is just 4%.
Four percent!
If those sellers had priced 4% lower from the jump, many would’ve already closed.
And if you’ve owned your home for a while? Your equity gives you the luxury to price competitively and still walk away ahead—big time. Don’t underestimate that advantage. The sellers who struggled? Many didn’t even realize they had it.
2. Don’t Expect a Weekend Miracle
Another big misconception: speed.
A lot of sellers still believe homes should sell overnight, like they did in 2020–2021. But that was an anomaly. Not the norm.
Right now, it takes closer to 60 days to go from “listed” to “sold,” and that’s totally healthy.
See graph below.
It just feels slower because you’re comparing it to a once-in-a-lifetime sprint.
Think of it like jumping off the highway: you’ve been cruising at 65 mph. When you hit that 25 mph exit ramp, it feels like you’re crawling—but you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Today’s buyers are more thoughtful. More intentional. They’re weighing options, paying attention to details, and taking their time. And that’s actually a good sign for a stable, long-term market.
So please don’t panic if you don’t get an offer in the first 48 hours. That doesn’t mean your house won’t sell. It means the market is moving at a normal pace again.
If you want to stand out? Lean into things that always work: standout staging, great photography, intentional prep, and of course—smart pricing.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about selling, don’t let the headlines scare you. Let the data guide you. The homes that didn’t sell this year weren’t doomed—they were just misaligned from the start.
When you price right, understand the timing, and work with a local agent who knows how to position a property (hi, it’s me 🙋♀️), you set yourself up to win.
In today’s market, success isn’t about waiting for conditions to magically improve. It’s about getting your expectations right—from day one.
