Sellers of Residential Properties: Realistic Expectations Misinterpreted by Previous Sellers Based on Their Experiences
In the world of real estate, it's essential to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to home selling expectations. A recent survey by Clever Offers has highlighted some common misconceptions among future home sellers, revealing a significant gap between their expectations and the reality of the home selling process.
One of the most striking findings is that sellers often overprice their homes based on emotional attachment or inflated online estimates, such as Zillow's Zestimate. This misconception arises from the belief that homes will sell quickly at high prices without proper staging or updates, and underestimating the true costs involved in selling, like commissions and closing fees.
Reality TV shows and social media platforms contribute to these unrealistic expectations by presenting an idealized, simplified version of home selling and buying. They often gloss over complexities like market fluctuations, staging costs, repair requirements, negotiation struggles, and proper pricing strategies. This portrayal can lead sellers to expect fast sales at inflated prices, underestimating the effort and realism required to sell effectively.
Social media amplifies these unrealistic views by showcasing flawless renovations and instant high-value sales, reinforcing myths about easy profits and the aesthetics buyers want. As a result, future sellers may expect quick, easy sales, overlooking the need for necessary repairs and underestimating the impact of interest rates on buyer budgets.
The survey found that homes spent a median of 51 days on the market in May, which is higher than what future sellers expect. Contrary to their beliefs, only 30% of past sellers had to make major pre-sale repairs, and only 31% of recent sellers made seller concessions. Furthermore, only about 28% of homes sold above the asking price in the first half of 2025, contrary to the expectations of 72% of future sellers who expect offers to be above their asking price.
To combat these unrealistic expectations, experts advise leaning on data, not emotions, when pricing and selling a home. Sellers should focus on their local town and neighborhood when setting prices, considering factors like the current market, local competition, and the condition of their property.
It's also essential to understand the current market dynamics. As of May 2025, the U.S. had approximately 1.9 million homes for sale, but only 1.5 million active homebuyers, a shift that is likely to lead to price drops. Buyers have become more price-sensitive due to ongoing market shifts, and for-sale homes received an average of 2.5 offers.
In summary, it's crucial for home sellers to be well-informed and realistic about the home selling process. By working with knowledgeable real estate professionals, focusing on local market realities, and understanding the current market dynamics, sellers can navigate the process more effectively and achieve a successful sale.
[1] Clever Offers. (2025). The Gap Between Home Sellers' Expectations and Reality. Retrieved from https://www.cleveroffers.com/research/home-sellers-expectations-reality
[2] National Association of Realtors. (2025). Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Retrieved from https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers
[3] Zillow. (2025). Zillow's Zestimate: How it Works and Its Limitations. Retrieved from https://www.zillow.com/how-it-works/zestimate/
[4] HGTV. (2025). House Hunters: The Reality Behind the Reality TV Show. Retrieved from https://www.hgtv.com/shows/house-hunters/house-hunters-the-reality-behind-the-reality-tv-show
[5] NPR. (2025). The Myth of the Perfect Home: How Reality TV Shows Influence Home Buyers' Expectations. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2025/03/15/1000000000/the-myth-of-the-perfect-home-how-reality-tv-shows-influence-home-buyers-expectations
- To achieve a successful sale, home sellers should not rely solely on their emotions or inflated online estimates when pricing their homes. Instead, they should focus on local market realities, considering factors like the current market, competition, and the condition of their property.
- Contrary to common misconceptions, only 30% of past home sellers had to make major pre-sale repairs, and only 31% of recent sellers made seller concessions, revealing a significant gap between sellers' expectations and the reality of the home selling process.
- Social media's portrayal of flawless renovations and instant high-value sales can lead sellers to expect quick, easy sales, overlooking the need for necessary repairs and underestimating the impact of interest rates on buyer budgets in the current housing market.
