Why 79% of Sellers Regret Not Listing Sooner and What It Means for You

If you’ve ever wondered whether now is the right time to list your home, a new report from Realtor.com gives a clear answer: start early. In fact, nearly 80% of recent sellers say they wish they had listed sooner. That’s no small statistic, it signals a shift. Today, waiting to put your home on the market is a riskier gamble than ever. The playing field has changed. To come out ahead, you need more than good timing. You need deliberate strategy and preparation.

In Massachusetts, these dynamics are especially relevant. Local market behavior shows both opportunity and challenge, reinforcing how early planning is often the difference between a smooth sale and one full of regrets.

Equity Is High But That Doesn’t Mean It Comes Easily

One of the advantages many homeowners enjoy today is substantial equity. For instance:

• A homeowner who bought in 2005 has seen their home value rise by ~90%, translating into more than $200,000 in equity gains.
• Many long-term owners, especially those who’ve lived in their homes for 15–25+ years, are sitting on significant appreciation.
• With persistent supply shortages (an estimated 4 million-home shortfall), the value of well-positioned homes remains strong.

On the surface, that sounds great. But equity alone doesn’t guarantee a smooth or fast sale. The 2025 report underscores that market conditions have evolved, and those who rely solely on rising values may be disappointed.

The New Realities of Selling: What’s Changed and What Sellers Must Do Differently

You can’t “wait until next spring” and expect to catch the wave

In past cycles, many sellers procrastinated until February or March and still saw quick sales. Today, with more inventory competing for buyers’ attention, listing in early spring often means competing with a flood of other homes. Leading sellers now begin prep in fall or winter, long before they ever hit “list.”

More prep, less panic

Minor repairs, staging, decluttering, and curb appeal projects used to be “nice to have.” Now, they’re table stakes. If a home looks dated, unfinished, or poorly photographed, buyers often scroll right past it. Many Massachusetts sellers regret waiting, then facing a scramble of last-minute repairs or rushed staging.

The agent you choose matters more

One of the top regrets among sellers is not interviewing enough real estate agents early on. A strong local agent brings more than listing access, they bring insight into comparable sales, buyer behavior, staging strategy, and marketing timing. In Massachusetts, where each town or ZIP code can behave differently, that local fluency is invaluable.

Pricing requires sharper calibration

An overpriced home lags. Underpricing loses money. In a more saturated environment, the margin for error shrinks. Reports from Massachusetts sellers show that many homes don’t sell because pricing was unrealistic, a mistake many blame on not working with an agent who understands micro-market dynamics.

Flexibility and adaptability are key

Markets ebb and flow. A plan that works in January may need tweaking by April. Successful sellers allow buffers so they can make adjustments rather than scramble.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you’re even thinking about selling in the next 12–18 months, here’s a practical action plan to get ahead of most sellers:

Start talking to agents now

Interview multiple agents. Ask about their marketing plans, data access, pricing strategies, and timelines.

Audit your home’s condition

Look at your property with a critical eye. Are there deferred repairs, peeling paint, dated features? Address the highest-impact fixes first.

Declutter and stage early

The earlier you remove personal items, clean, rearrange, and stage, the more polished your home will look when photos go live.

Plan your timeline backward

If your target is Spring 2026, work the calendar backward. Allocate sufficient time for prep e.g., 2 months for repairs, 4–6 weeks for staging/inspections, 3–4 weeks for marketing buildup.

Gather market data

Keep track of recent sales, neighborhood trends, and buyer preferences. Use that to help inform pricing, upgrades, and positioning.

Stay flexible and responsive

Markets shift. Be ready to adjust your plans, your timeline, and your expectations as conditions evolve.

Why “List Sooner” Isn’t Just a Slogan

When 4 in 5 sellers wish they had listed earlier, it’s not regret talking, it’s hindsight. In today’s Massachusetts market:

• A delay of even a few months might land you in a more crowded window.
• Buyers expect polished presentation and move-in readiness.
• The seller’s advantage erodes faster when inventory begins to grow.
• Strategy (market timing, staging, pricing) carries more weight than ever.

If you wait, you risk scrambling last-minute. If you start early, you build leverage, polish, and confidence.

Final Thought

Selling a Massachusetts home in 2025 is still very possible. The equity is real, buyers are active, and many markets remain competitive. But success no longer comes from luck. It comes from planning, preparation, and positioning.

If you begin early, interviewing agents, prepping your home, strategizing your timeline, you reduce stress and give your sale a much better shot. And when you look back, you won’t be one of those who wish they listed sooner because you already did.