The Real Reason Some Homes Sell Fast — and Others Don’t Move at All

A few years back, inventory was at historic lows — nearly every home sold quickly. Today, the story’s different. There are far more homes on the market, with listings up nearly 20% from a year ago. In some areas, supply has even returned to 2017–2019 levels. For sellers, that means one thing:

Standing out from day one is critical

our home has to stand out and capture attention from the moment it hits the market. That’s even more important when you consider why inventory levels are climbing. Here’s the breakdown:

• Active Listings: homes currently on the market that haven’t sold yet
• New Listings: freshly listed homes just entering the market

According to Realtor.com, most of the recent increase in housing inventory comes from active listings — homes that are staying on the market longer before selling (see the chart below).

In the graph, the blue bars represent active listings — properties that have been sitting month after month. The green bars represent new listings — homes newly added to the market. It’s easy to see that new listings are outnumbered by the homes that remain unsold.

If you don’t want your home to be one that lingers on the market, it’s worth understanding what can go wrong — and how to position yourself for a faster sale.

Why Some Homes Sell While Others Sit

The formula for success in today’s market is simple: make your home an easy “yes” for buyers the moment it hits the market. 

Price it according to current market conditions (not your neighbor’s sale from three years ago). Take care of key repairs. And showcase your home’s strongest features. Do that, and your home can sell in any market — often faster than you expect. Because the reality is, well-priced homes are still moving. 

It’s often the homeowners holding onto outdated expectations who end up watching their listings grow stale. According to Redfin and HousingWire, here are some of the top reasons sales stall:

• Overpricing from the start
• Skipping key repairs before listing
• Poor or no staging
• Unwillingness to negotiate with buyers
• Limited showing availability
• Weak marketing or low-quality photos

A few years ago, none of this mattered as much. With record-low inventory, sellers could skip the prep, set ambitious prices, and still end up with multiple offers over asking.

But today’s market is a different story. With more homes for sale, your strategy has to evolve too.

This isn’t the time to test the market with an inflated price or cut corners on presentation. The first few weeks are critical — that’s when your listing gets the most eyes, and when mistakes hit hardest. Nail your pricing and presentation early, and your home could sell quickly. Miss the mark, and it may linger far longer than you’d like.

The Right Agent Makes Your Home Stand Out

Selling quickly isn’t about luck — it’s about strategy. And the right agent knows exactly how to navigate today’s market.

A skilled real estate professional will study local data, price your home based on the most recent neighborhood sales, and launch a marketing plan that captures buyer attention from day one. They’ll also guide you through which repairs or staging updates will make the biggest impact. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) notes:

“Sellers who work with an agent are almost twice as likely to receive an offer within the first month — while those who go it alone often wait three months or more.”

That’s the difference experience makes — setting up your sale for success from the very beginning.

Bottom Line

There may be more homes on the market right now, but that doesn’t mean you’re at a disadvantage. In fact, with the right approach, you can stand out even more.

When your home is priced strategically, presented beautifully, and marketed with precision, it attracts serious buyers quickly — no matter the market conditions. A seasoned agent can guide you through every step, from pricing and staging to timing your listing for maximum exposure.