81% of Sellers Think They Will Get Their Asking Price
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Sellers are feeling bold. And driven by necessity, fewer are inclined to wait for mortgage rates to drop.
According to a new survey from Realtor.com®, 81% of potential home sellers believe they’ll get their asking price or more this year. That optimism is rising despite mortgage rate pressures and shifting market dynamics. And it’s creating a real window of opportunity for real estate pros who know how to guide clients with confidence.
With the “Best Time to Sell” fast approaching, here’s what agents need to know about what’s driving seller sentiment and how to respond.
Spring is historically the best time to sell, and this year, sellers are entering the season with high expectations. Our survey found that many potential sellers feel confident they’ll not only sell quickly but also receive top dollar for their home. Despite their optimism, our survey suggests that potential sellers–especially those who have been waiting to sell for a year or more, still feel locked in due to interest rates. Laura Eddy - Vice President of Research and Insights at Realtor.com®
Most Sellers Are Moving Out of Necessity
The market’s tough, but sellers are still feeling confident. Why? They know home values are up, and they’re expecting buyers to meet their price.
Aside from the (relative) optimism, data from Realtor.com reveals that many sellers are moving out of necessity. Whether it’s a growing family, downsizing, or a job move, they’re ready to list and move forward.
Seven in 10 (70%) potential sellers believe now is a good time to sell, and eight in 10 (80%) are planning to sell because of life-driven reasons, with 46% seeking a different community.
Other reasons:
- 34% need more space
- 25% need to downsize
- 21% are moving for family
- 18% are reacting to a major life event
- 15% need to relocate for work
- 10% can no longer afford their current home
Sellers are Motivated
This year’s seller is motivated and has already taken steps:
Ninety-six percent (96%) have done something to prep for a sale:
- 71% checked their home’s value
- 61% researched neighborhood prices
Just under 4 in 10 (38%) have already made home improvements:
- Of those, 70% handled light renovations
- 65% fixed potential inspection issues
- 59% completed major updates (kitchen, bath)
And over 60% have already started the listing process:
- 36% contacted a real estate agent
- 27% completed an inspection
- 22% listed their home
Rates Are a Factor—But They’re Not Holding Everyone Back
Concerns from the past couple of years continue to be a factor, and mortgage rates are still making sellers pause.
- 61% of potential sellers have been thinking about selling for over a year.
- 50% of mortgage holders feel “locked in” due to higher current rates.
That number jumps to 55% among those who’ve been on the fence for 12+ months. And since 66% plan to buy another home after they sell, many are weighing the cost of a new mortgage.
But there’s urgency here, too:
Nearly 8 in 10 (78%) believe interest rates will stay the same or rise over the next year. Of those, 43% say this makes them more likely to sell now. And just 20% say it makes them less likely to sell.
About 7 in 10 (69%) of those who expect rates to drop say it would increase their motivation to sell.
This means that changing rates are motivating sellers to act, just not all for the same reasons.
Regional Differences Matter
Not all optimism is created equal. Here’s how sentiment varies by region:
- Northeast: 80% say it’s a good time to sell. The region is still undersupplied and highly competitive.
- West: 72% believe now is the time. Sellers here are most likely to expect over-asking offers, thanks to persistent competition (especially in California)
- South: 69% are optimistic.
- Midwest: 65% feel good about selling.
Both the South and Midwest see more balanced conditions due to increased inventory.
Agents should align their strategy with the region’s market reality and prepare sellers accordingly.
Sellers are optimistic and with a still-sizable nationwide housing shortage, there’s good reason to be. Our research shows that the housing supply gap would take 7.5 years to close nationwide and much longer in some regions. At the same time, we’ve seen pronounced shifts in financial markets as the economy adjusts to new policies. It’s always a good idea to work with an expert, and this is even more true at a time when housing markets are evolving to reflect broader economic conditions. - Hannah Jones - Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com®
Sarah Lentz - Apr 15, 2025 - Housing Market
https://nowbam.com/81-of-sellers-think-they-will-get-their-asking-price/
@ChuckBarberini - #ChuckBarberiniRealEstate - @ChuckBarberiniRealEstate
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