Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others

1924302 • June 11, 2025

Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others




As you think ahead to your own move, you may have noticed some houses sell within days, while others linger. But why is that? As Redfin says:


“. . . today’s housing market has been topsy-turvy since the pandemic. Low inventory (though rising) and high prices have created a strange mix: Some homes are flying off the market, while others sit for weeks.”

That may leave you wondering what you should expect when you sell. Let’s break it down and give you some actionable tips on how to make sure your house is one that sells quickly.

Homes Are Still Selling Faster Than Pre-Pandemic

The first thing you should know is that, in most markets, things have slowed down a little bit. While you may remember how quickly homes sold a few years ago, that’s not what you should expect today.

Now that inventory has grown, according to Realtor.com, homes are taking a bit longer to sell in today’s market (see graph below):

But before you get hung up on the ten-day difference compared to the past few years, Realtor.com will help put this into perspective:


“In April, the typical home spent 50 days on the market . . . This marks the 13th straight month of homes taking longer to sell on a year-over-year basis. Still, homes are moving more quickly than they did before the pandemic . . .”

By this comparison, if your house does take a little more time to sell this year, it’s not really a concern. It’s actually still faster than the norm. Plus, it gives you a bit more time to find your next home, which is welcome relief when you’re trying to move, too.

Just remember, some homes sell in less time than this. Some take even longer. So, what’s the real difference? Why do some homes attract eager buyers almost instantly, while others sit and struggle?

It comes down to having the right agent and strategy. Here are a few tips you need to know. 

1. Price It Right

One of the biggest reasons homes sit on the market is overpricing. Many sellers want to shoot for a higher price, thinking they can lower it later – but that backfires by turning buyers away.

What to do: Work with an agent to make sure your house is priced right. They’ll analyze recent comparable sales (what other homes have sold for recently in your area), so you know you're pricing appropriately for today’s market and what buyers are willing to pay. As Chen Zhao, Economic Research Lead at Redfin, explains:


“My advice to sellers is to price your home fairly for the shifting market; you may need to price lower than your initial instinct to sell quickly and avoid giving concessions."

2. Focus on the First Impression

A messy yard or a house that needs paint? It’ll turn buyers off. Since buyers decide within seconds whether they like a home, a good first impression is key.

What to do: Outside, clean up your front yard, tidy up your landscaping, power wash walkways, and add fresh mulch. Inside, declutter and depersonalize. And consider minor touch-ups like repainting in a neutral tone. Your agent will offer advice on what to tackle.

3. Strong Marketing & High-Quality Listing Photos

If your listing or your photos don’t look professional, you could have trouble drawing in buyers who think you’re trying to cut corners.

What to do: Instead, lean on your agent’s skills, expertise, and resources. They’ll help you make sure you have:

  • High-resolution listing photos showing the home in its best light.
  • Detailed descriptions that highlight differentiating features of your house.
  • Your listing on multiple platforms, including major real estate sites and social media.

4. The Location of the Home

You may have heard the phrase “location, location, location” when it comes to real estate. And there’s definitely some truth to that. Homes in highly sought-after neighborhoods tend to sell faster.

What to do: While you can’t change where your house is located, your agent can highlight the best features of your neighborhood or community in your listing. By showcasing what’s great about your area, they can help draw buyers into what life would look like in your house.

Bottom Line

Homes that sell quickly don’t necessarily have better features – they have better agents and a better strategy.

Are you thinking about selling? Let's talk about how to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar.

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Thinking About Renting Your House Instead of Selling? Read This First.

By KCM • September 13, 2025
Thinking About Renting Your House Instead of Selling? Read This First. If your house is on the market but you haven’t gotten any offers you’re comfortable with, you may be wondering: what do I do if it doesn’t sell? And for a growing number of homeowners, that’s turning into a new dilemma: should I just rent it instead? There’s a term for this in the industry, and it’s called an accidental landlord . Here’s how Yahoo Finance defines it: “These ‘accidental landlords’ are homeowners who tried to sell but couldn’t fetch the price they wanted — and instead have decided to rent out their homes until conditions improve.” Why This Is Happening More Often Right Now And right now, the number of homeowners turning into accidental landlords is rising. Business Insider explains why: “While there have always been accidental landlords . . . an era of middling home sales brought on by a steep rise in borrowing rates — is minting a new wave of reluctant rental owners." Basically, sales have slowed down as buyers struggle with today’s affordability challenges. And that’s leaving some homeowners with listings that sit and go stale. And if they don't want to drop their price to try to appeal to buyers, they may rent instead. But here’s the thing you need to remember if renting your house has crossed your mind. Becoming a landlord wasn’t your original plan, and there’s probably a reason for that. It comes with a lot more responsibility (and risk) than most people expect. So, if you find yourself toying with that option, ask yourself these questions first: 1. Does Your House Have Potential as a Profitable Rental? Just because you can rent it doesn’t mean you should. For example: Are you moving out of state? Managing maintenance from far away isn’t easy. Does the home need repairs before it’s rental-ready? And do you have the time or the funds for that? Is your neighborhood one that typically attracts renters, and would your house be profitable as one? If any of those give you pause, it’s a sign selling might be the better move. 2. Are You Ready To Be a Landlord? On paper, renting sounds like easy passive income. In reality, it often looks more like this: Midnight calls about clogged toilets or broken air conditioners Chasing down missed rent payments Damage you’ll have to fix between tenants As Redfin notes: “Landlords have to fix things like broken pipes, defunct HVAC systems, and structural damage, among other essential repairs. If you don’t have a few thousand dollars on hand to take care of these repairs, you could end up in a bind.” 3. Have You Thought Through the True Costs? According to Bankrate, here are just a few of the hidden costs that come with renting out your home: A higher insurance premium (landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more) Management fees (if you use a property manager, they typically charge around 10% of the rent) Maintenance and advertising to find tenants Gaps between tenants, where you cover the mortgage without rental income coming in All of that adds up, fast. While renting can be a smart move for the right person with the right house, if you’re only considering it because your listing didn’t get traction, there may be a better solution: talking to your current agent and revisiting the pricing strategy on your house first. With their advice you can rework your strategy, relaunch at the right price, and attract real buyers to make the sale happen. Bottom Line Before you decide to rent your house, make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons of becoming a landlord. For some homeowners, the hassle (and the expense) may not be worth it.

Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s Buyers

By KCM • August 29, 2025
Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s Buyers Not every homebuyer wants the biggest house on the block. Some want something simpler, more affordable, and easier to maintain, especially in a market where every dollar counts. That’s where condos come in. For first-time buyers, they can be a smart way to get into homeownership without stretching your budget. For downsizers, they offer less space to maintain with the flexibility to stay in a great location. And right now, condos are one of the most buyer-friendly parts of the market. Condo Inventory Is Up, And That Means More Choice According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there are 194,000 condos for sale right now. That’s the second highest amount we’ve seen in the last three years (see graph below): Just remember, this is the national figure. The exact number is going to vary based on where you’re looking to buy. But, generally speaking, you have more options and less competition. You’re not stuck waiting for something to pop up or rushing into an offer just to beat someone else to it. You’ve got plenty to choose from. And if you’re particular about layout, location, or amenities, this is your chance to be selective. That’s a big shift from the market frenzy of just a few years ago. Compared to early 2022, we’ve got nearly double the condos available now. That gives you more breathing room to find the right fit. Prices Are Cooling, and Buyers Hold More Negotiating Power And since there are more for sale, many sellers are more open to negotiating right now. So, you may be able to get a better price. As Redfin explains: “. . . condo buyers in many cities may be able to find sellers who are willing to give concessions and/or sell for less than their asking price.” Condo prices are starting to ease in many markets. According to Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), condo prices dipped 1.3% in June compared to last year. And over half of the top 100 U.S. metros saw condo prices drop slightly year-over-year. Data from Redfin shows what the recent dip in prices looks like (see graph below): That doesn’t just help with affordability, it also shifts the power dynamic. Condo buyers in many markets are now in a position to negotiate on price and ask for concessions, like help with closing costs. Bottom Line Condos aren’t just a fallback option. In today’s market, they’re one of the most strategic ways to buy. With more options, softening prices, and more room to negotiate, now could be the right time to make your move. Could a condo check more boxes than you expected? Let’s talk through your options and find out.

More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here’s How To Get Ahead.

By KCM • August 23, 2025
More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here’s How To Get Ahead. When you sell a house , the last thing you want is for the deal to fall apart right before closing. But according to the latest data from Redfin, that’s happening a bit more often lately. The good news is, it’s completely avoidable if you lean on an agent for insight into why that is and how to avoid it happening to you. This June, 15% of pending home sales fell through . That means those buyers backed out of their contracts. That’s not too much higher than the norm of roughly 12% from 2017-2019, but it’s still an increase. And it’s one you don’t want to have to deal with. The key to avoiding this headache is knowing what’s causing the issues that lead to a buyer walking away. A recent survey from John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) finds that agents reported the #1 reason deals are falling apart today is stemming from the home inspection (see graph below): Here’s why. With high prices and mortgage rates stretching buyers’ budgets, they don’t have a lot of room (or appetite) for unexpected repairs. Not to mention, buyers have more options to choose from now that there are more homes on the market. So, if the inspection turns up a major issue, they may opt to walk away. Afterall, there are plenty of other homes they could buy instead. Or, if the seller isn’t willing to tackle repairs , a buyer may back out because they don’t want the expense (and the hassle) of dealing with those issues themselves. The good news is, there’s a way you can get ahead of any unpleasant surprises as a seller, and that’s getting a pre-listing inspection. It’s not required, but the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains why it’s helpful right now: “To keep deals from unraveling . . . it allows a seller the opportunity to address any repairs before the For Sale sign even goes up. It also can help avoid surprises like a costly plumbing problem, a failing roof or an outdated electrical panel that could cause financially stretched buyers to bolt before closing .” What’s a Pre-Listing Inspection? It's exactly what it sounds like: a professional home inspection you schedule before your home hits the market. Here’s what it can do for you: Give you time to fix what matters . You’ll know what issues could come up in the buyer’s inspection. So, you’ll have time to take care of them before anyone even walks through the door. Avoid last-minute renegotiations . When buyers uncover unexpected issues after you’re under contract, it opens the door for concessions you may have to make like price drops or repairs, or worse, a canceled deal. A pre-listing inspection helps you stay ahead of those things before they become deal breakers. Show buyers you’re serious . When your home is clean, well-maintained, and already vetted, buyers see that. It builds trust and can help you sell faster with fewer back-and-forth negotiations. The bottom line? A few hundred dollars upfront can save you thousands later. Should Every Seller Do This? Not necessarily. Your real estate agent can help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation, your house, and your market. If you decide to move forward with a pre-listing inspection, your agent will guide you every step of the way. They’ll: Advise on whether to fix or disclose each issue Help you prioritize repairs based on what buyers in your area care about Make sure you understand your local disclosure laws Bottom Line If you want to avoid potential snags in your deal, a pre-listing inspection could be the way to go. Let’s talk about whether a pre-listing inspection is the right move for your house and market. Would you rather find out about a major repair now, when you can handle it on your terms – or after you’re under contract, when the clock is ticking?
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