A few years back, homes were flying off the market because there were so few available. Pretty much anything listed would sell quickly. Now, though, there are a lot more homes for buyers to choose from. Listings have gone up nearly 20% compared to last year, and in some places, the number of homes for sale has returned to what we saw between 2017 and 2019. For sellers, that means it’s more important than ever to stand out.

Your home has to catch the eye and make an impression right from the start.

That’s particularly the case when you think about why the number of homes for sale has increased. Here’s the breakdown: available inventory comes from a combination of factors.

• Active listings: homes that have been on the market for a while but haven’t sold yet.

• New listings: homes that just hit the market and are fresh for buyers to check out.

Data from Realtor.com reveals that the recent increase in inventory mainly comes from homes that have been on the market longer and aren’t selling as quickly (check out the graph below).

If you want to avoid having your house sit on the market for too long, let’s talk about the common pitfalls that can slow down the process and what you can do to make sure your home sells fast.

 Why Some Homes Sell and Others Sit

The key to selling your home right now is straightforward: make your house something buyers can quickly say yes to as soon as it hits the market.

Set your price based on what's happening in the market right now, not what your neighbor sold their home for three years ago. Take care of any important repairs, and make sure to showcase the best features of your house. Doing these things will help your home sell in any market—often faster than you expect. The reality is, homes priced correctly today are still selling.

Homeowners holding onto old-fashioned expectations are often the ones watching their houses linger on the market and their listings lose momentum. Based on insights from Redfin and HousingWire, here are some of the top reasons why sales tend to stall:

• Started off with a price that was too high

• Skipped important repairs before putting it up for sale

• Didn’t do much to stage or present the home

• Weren’t open to negotiating with buyers

• Made it hard for buyers to schedule showings

• Had weak marketing or unappealing listing photos

Not too long ago, a lot of these things weren’t as important. With inventory so low, sellers could skip the prep, set their price, and still end up with multiple offers above asking.

Today’s market has changed because there are more homes available, so you’ll want to adjust your strategy to match.

You don’t want to rely on outdated tactics or set your price way too high just to see what happens. The first few weeks your home is on the market

 The Right Agent Helps Your House Stand Out

Selling your home fast isn’t just luck—it’s about understanding how to work with the current market. That’s exactly where your agent can help.

A good agent will take a close look at your local market and recommend a price based on recent sales in your neighborhood. They’ll also develop a marketing plan designed to grab buyers’ attention right from the start. Plus, they’ll guide you through any necessary repairs or help you decide if hiring a staging company is a good idea. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) points out:

““Home sellers without an agent are nearly twice as likely to say they didn’t accept an offer for at least three months; 53% of sellers who used an agent say they accepted an offer within a month of listing their home.”
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— National Association of Realtors (NAR)

The difference comes from starting off on the right foot—with expert help guiding you every step of the way.

Bottom Line

There are more homes on the market now than a year ago, but that doesn’t mean it’s a disadvantage for you.

If your home is priced correctly, looks great, and is promoted the right way, it will sell. Reach out if you want to learn how to make that happen in today’s market this fall.