Thinking About Putting Your House Back on the Market?

If you took your home off the market at the end of 2024, you weren’t alone. According to Newsweek, data from CoreLogic and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) shows that nearly 73,000 homes were withdrawn from the market in December — the highest number for any December since 2017 (check out the chart below):

If you pulled your home off the market at the end of 2024, you’re definitely not alone. Many homeowners hit pause — whether they weren’t seeing strong offers, the holidays became too hectic, or they wanted to wait and see if conditions would improve in the new year.

But now, with spring right around the corner, it’s the perfect moment to reevaluate. The market is already gaining momentum, and if you wait much longer, you might find yourself competing with a flood of other sellers who are thinking the same thing.

Why Now Might Be the Smart Move

Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, highlights that some sellers intentionally stepped back with plans to try again when the market heated up:

"Some homeowners likely paused their selling plans to see how the spring market shapes up and whether lower mortgage rates bring more buyers back into the game — along with stronger competition.”

Spring has historically been the most active time of year for buyers. As the weather improves, more people are ready to start house hunting, aiming to move in before summer. So this season brings an influx of motivated buyers — which is great news if you’re selling.

And while mortgage rates haven’t fallen dramatically, they have come down some in recent weeks. showing signs already show buyers are becoming more active as a result. Since January, demand has picked up – and that should continue as spring draws even closer.

While mortgage rates haven’t dropped drastically, they have eased a bit recently, and buyer activity is already showing signs of picking up. Since January, demand has started to rebound, and it’s expected to keep building as spring approaches.

What You Can Do Differently This Time Around

First things first: check the status of your listing agreement. Even if you pulled your home from the market, your agreement might still be active. Until that listing expires, your agent or brokerage remains your go-to resource for strategy. As Realtor.com advises:

"If you're unclear whether your listing is active, expired, or withdrawn, review your agreement and speak with your real estate agent."

If your contract is still active, now’s the time to reconnect with your agent and brainstorm new ways to make your listing stand out. If it has expired and you’re weighing other options, reach out to a trusted real estate professional who can guide you through your next steps.

Also, take a moment to reflect on your last experience. What could have been done differently? Here are a few key areas to consider:

Be sure to include your current agent in this thought process. They’ll give you an objective point of view and some advice based on what may have gone wrong last time, like: 

• Pricing Strategy: Was your price point too high, causing buyers to pass? Your agent can help you review current local sales data and price your home competitively. The right pricing can create excitement and lead to multiple offers.
• Marketing Approach: Was your home staged and photographed to shine? Quality photography, fresh staging, and even updated spring listing photos can make a big impact.
• Buyer Incentives: Did you offer any concessions to help buyers feel more comfortable? With inventory growing, incentives can help make your home stand out in a competitive market.
• Showing Flexibility: Were your showing times limited? The more flexible and available your home is for showings, the more chances you’ll have to get serious offers.

Bottom Line

If your home didn’t sell last year, consider this spring your fresh opportunity. Buyer demand is on the rise, and conditions are shifting in your favor. Now is the ideal time to reconnect with a trusted real estate agent to discuss re-entering the market with a renewed game plan.

What lessons did you take from your last attempt? What adjustments are you ready to make this time to attract the right buyers and secure the best offer? Start by having an open conversation with your agent to review your options, fine-tune your strategy, and put a plan in motion that sets you up for success in today’s market.