Stressed About A Slow Home Sale Here Is How To Get Back On Track
A seller from a metro area in Ohio shared that their home has been on the market for 3 weeks with 2 price reductions, about 6 showings, and no offers. The home sale is causing anxiety for them. They feel lost, and their agent is not communicating much. They asked whether they should request more frequent updates and whether 30 to 60 days is a normal selling window. Here is my guidance.
Take a breath. Selling a home can feel overwhelming, especially when showings are slow and your phone is quiet. The most helpful next step is a calm reset with a clear plan. Here is exactly how to get organized, align with your agent, and move your sale forward.
Schedule An In Person Reset
Ask your listing agent for a face to face meeting. Tell them you want a full review of the strategy and a clear plan for the next 30 days because the home sale is causing anxiety. A real conversation lowers anxiety and makes it easier to agree on decisions.
Bring These Questions To The Meeting
Ask for an updated market analysis so you know the true value range today. Ask for current stats for your neighborhood
- Average days on market
- List to sale price ratio
- Number of competing listings and their price changes
- Ask what buyers have said in the 6 showings so far. Ask for specific comments about price, condition, layout, location, and anything else relevant.
- Ask what your agent is doing each week to reach buyers. Ask for the marketing and advertising schedule going forward.
Understand Your Four Levers
Every sale comes down to four levers.
- Price. The number must be believable within your set of comps.
- Condition. Fixable issues and easy cosmetic wins matter. Cleanliness and smell are part of condition.
- Marketing. Photos, copy, syndication, social, open houses, and outreach to buyer agents.
- Access. Make it easy to show with wide appointment windows and fast confirmations.
Build A Seven Day Action Plan
Use the meeting to agree on a short sprint. Examples
- Refresh photos and rewrite the description to highlight the top three benefits buyers in your area care about.
- Knock out quick fixes that came up in feedback. Deep clean, touch up paint, brighten lighting, fresh mulch, and neutral scent.
- Compare yourself to the 3 closest competitors and adjust price or terms so your home is the clear value.
- Launch a new week of marketing. Paid placement, email to local agents, open house with a follow up plan for every visitor.
- Confirm showing settings so buyers can get in easily.
Set A Communication Cadence
Do not leave communication to chance. The listing agent needs to know that the home sale is causing anxiety. Ask for a recurring touch point. For example every Wednesday at 3:00PM by phone. Ask for a short written update as well that includes showings, feedback, web traffic, and next steps. Consistency lowers stress and keeps everyone accountable.
What Timeline Is Normal
30 to 60 days can be normal in many markets, especially for higher price points or unique homes. What matters is your traction compared with the market around you. If nearby homes are receiving offers in two weeks and you are not, use that signal to adjust your lever mix of price, condition, marketing, and access.
When To Adjust Price
Use data not emotion. Compare your list price with the comp set and the list to sale ratio. If you are priced above the range buyers expect, make a meaningful move instead of small cuts that do not change how your home appears in searches.
When To Revisit Representation
If communication does not improve or marketing is not happening as promised, be candid about your expectations. Ask for a written plan with dates. If performance still lags, review your options under your listing agreement.
The Bottom Line
You will feel better and see better results when you replace worry with a plan. Meet in person, review the numbers, agree on a short sprint, and keep a weekly cadence until you are under contract.
Want a calm second opinion on your sale? I am happy to be a sounding board. I can also connect you with a vetted real estate professional in your area who will give you clear feedback and a stronger plan.
