Should I Sell My House in 2025? Factors to Help You Decide

Pros of selling your house in 2025

While the market has cooled this year, there are still clear advantages for sellers, especially in the right regions and with the right type of property. Detached homes continue to hold value, and balanced inventory levels suggest you won’t be lost in a sea of competition.

Plus, the presence of cash buyers and slightly improving interest rates may create favorable selling opportunities.

Certain regions still favor sellers

While much of the country has shifted into buyer-friendly territory, there are still pockets where sellers hold the upper hand. In particular, the Midwest and Northeast regions remain more favorable for home sellers, according to HomeLight’s 2025 Top Agent Insights: AI Edition report. If your property is in one of these areas, you may benefit from stronger demand, less price haggling, and more leverage during negotiations.

Even if you’re in a prime location, it’s important not to take your market position for granted. Partner with a local real estate agent who understands the nuances of your area to help you price strategically and fully capitalize on your advantage while buyer demand remains strong

Detached single-family homes recorded a price increase

According to CoreLogic, while overall home price growth has slowed, single-family detached homes continue to see modest gains, about 2.5% year-over-year. It may be a good time to sell if this is the type of property you’re eyeing to list on the market. Single-family detached homes continue to appreciate, making them a safer bet in an otherwise softening market.

Highlight features that buyers value in detached homes, such as private outdoor space, dedicated parking, and room to grow. Well-marketed stand-alone properties can stand out even more in a shifting market.

Inventory is relatively balanced

The market currently has 4.6 months of inventory, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This suggests a more balanced playing field between buyers and sellers. It’s not a frenzied seller’s market, but it’s also not one where buyers have complete control. This balance can make negotiations smoother, without putting too much pressure on either side.

In a seller’s market, inventory is low, typically less than six months, and demand exceeds supply, giving sellers the advantage. In a buyer’s market, inventory exceeds six months, and buyers have more options. Meanwhile, a balanced market typically has about four to five months of inventory, where supply and demand are relatively equal, and neither buyers nor sellers have a clear upper hand.

Mortgage rates are expected to dip slightly

While the market isn’t heading back to the ultra-low mortgage rates, NAR forecasts that rates could fall into the lower 6% range later this year and into 2026. Lower rates tend to encourage more buyer activity, which could boost demand and improve your chances of selling faster, especially if you list toward the end of the year when these shifts begin to take effect.

Cash buyers are active in the market

Another bright spot for sellers: a significant portion of buyers, particularly baby boomers, are paying with cash. NAR reports that about half of older boomers and two out of five younger boomers are skipping mortgage financing entirely. That means fewer delays, fewer contingencies, and a smoother path to closing for sellers fortunate enough to attract an all-cash offer.

If selling for cash is your priority, consider HomeLight’s Simple Sale, a platform that lets you request a cash offer for your home. It features one of the largest networks of cash buyers in the U.S. With this tool, you can close the home sale in as little as 7 days and avoid common selling headaches. Explore how HomeLight’s Simple Sale can work for you today.

Cons of selling your house in 2025

Despite a few bright spots, today’s market poses notable challenges for home sellers. Buyers are in control in many areas, and price growth is either slowing or reversing, particularly for condos and townhomes. To stay competitive, sellers are increasingly forced to offer incentives and lower their asking prices, cutting into potential profits.

While these realities may tempt some homeowners to hold off and wait for the “perfect” seller’s market, that could be a gamble.

Recognizing this, top real estate agent Dinara Sammartino of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, offers a word of caution: “[Some] think the seller’s market will get better, they keep holding on, and it’s going in the other direction,” she says. “They are holding out for more, but it may never come, and they may miss the best time now.”

It’s a buyer’s market in many parts of the country

The biggest hurdle sellers face in 2025 is the shift in market power. About 41% of agents say buyers now have the upper hand, compared to just 25% saying it’s still a seller’s market.

“Sellers need to understand that the extreme seller’s market of ‘20 to ‘21 with multiple, cash offers over asking is over,” says Richard McKinney, a top agent from ​​Port St. Lucie, Florida, with 26 years of experience.

This is especially true in the Pacific, Mountain, South Atlantic, and South Central regions. If you plan to sell in these areas, expect increased negotiations, more concessions, and longer days on market.

Price growth is slowing, and some property types are declining in value

National home prices are only up about 2% from last year, a far cry from the double-digit gains seen in recent years. Worse still, attached homes like condos and townhouses have actually dipped in value for the first time since 2012. This trend means that if you’re selling a condo or townhome, you may be facing a lower sale price or less interest from buyers altogether.

Although national home price growth has slowed, the story changes depending on where you live. In the Northeast, prices are surging, up 10.3% annually, making it one of the best regions to sell in 2025. The Midwest also shows strength, with a 5.2% year-over-year gain, while the West follows with a 4.1% increase.

These regional trends suggest that homeowners in these areas may still see strong returns. In contrast, the South has seen only a 1.3% price increase, making it tougher for sellers to command top dollar. These figures point to the fact that where you’re selling and what type of home you own matter more than ever.

Price cuts are becoming more common

A staggering 82% of real estate agents report more frequent price reductions compared to this time last year. The situation is especially noticeable in the Mountain and Pacific regions. If you list too high, you may need to adjust quickly to stay competitive, especially if buyers in your area are expecting markdowns.

McKinney says he’s seen prices coming down in higher price ranges, and in some cases, properties are taking months to sell. He advises, “Sellers and agents need to be out in front of price, marketing, and staging.”

Offering incentives may be necessary to close deals

To attract hesitant buyers, sellers are increasingly throwing in sweeteners. These include paying the buyer’s agent commission (reported by 73% of agents), offering repair credits (52%), and covering closing costs (50%). While these incentives can help move the deal forward, they also eat into your profits, so it’s important to factor them into your pricing strategy.

Market uncertainty limits potential buyers

Even though rates are expected to dip slightly, they’re still relatively high. This has led some buyers to delay purchasing in hopes of a better deal in a few months. As a result, sellers may face a smaller pool of motivated buyers, especially in price-sensitive markets.

Bob Weibrecht, a top real estate agent in Arnold, Missouri, advises sellers to stay flexible to avoid pushing potential buyers away.

“Sellers are listing their homes as ‘as-is’ and are unwilling to perform local occupancy inspections,” says Weibrecht. “Additionally, they are informing buyers they will not make any repairs or provide concessions after the buyer inspections. By doing this, these sellers are limiting their buyer pool to individual investors and investment companies who wish to buy and flip.”

Some sellers will have to grapple with high mortgage rates themselves

Home sellers who are seeking to buy a new property with financing might prefer to wait until mortgage rates decrease and home sales activity rebounds. Of course, there’s always the option of buying now and refinancing later. It all comes down to budgetary constraints and personal preferences.

“Buyers think that if they wait to buy, some miraculous interest rate fairy is going to float down and give them a 3% rate again,” says Peter Derry, a top agent in Charleston, South Carolina. “The best thing to do is buy ASAP, within your means, as you start to pay off the home sooner.”

The chart below showcases the mortgage rate fluctuations in 2025.

2025 average 30-year mortgage rate

Source: Freddie Mac

Strategies to sell your house in 2025

Work with a top agent for a faster, more profitable sale

“What clients truly require is a seasoned real estate agent who has navigated fluctuating markets, offering tangible data and expertise that novice agents lack,” says Christine Peyton, a top agent in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, who has sold 100% of the listings she’s taken on.

Connecting with an experienced agent can help you better understand the conditions in your local market and determine whether it’s a good time to put your house up for sale. HomeLight’s agent matching platform is free to use and connects you with multiple top agents so you can choose the professional who best suits your needs.

An agent will guide you through the sales process, including pricing and marketing your home, negotiating with buyers, and connecting with contractors to make repairs and provide various services.

Invest in budget-friendly upgrades to get your sale moving

“Taking care of even the most minor of things can have a big impact on the psyche of a buyer as they walk through a property,” says Carlos Lobato, a top agent in Miramar, Florida, with 21 years of experience.

Even if you don’t have the budget to replace your garage doors, you can improve curb appeal by updating the mailbox or house numbers, or simply laying down a new doormat.

HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights Report revealed that improved curb appeal and enhanced outdoor and garden spaces were the second most important selling points for homes in 2024.

When it comes to your home’s interior, Deidre Quinn, an award-winning agent in the Philadelphia area, suggests giving your space a fresh coat of paint before putting it on the market.

“It’s one of the least expensive and one of the top things I recommend to my clients,” she says. Choose one neutral color so prospective buyers can envision the home with their own furnishings.

Other quick and budget-friendly upgrades include replacing old showerheads, painting kitchen cabinets, and installing a smart thermostat.

Declutter and deep clean to make your house shine

Quinn advises sellers to pack up a lot of their belongings so buyers can visualize themselves and their possessions in the house. Rooms also photograph better when they aren’t overflowing with furniture and knickknacks.

Begin decluttering by sorting through closets and cabinets. Box up what you don’t need on a daily basis and donate clothing you haven’t worn in years. Throw out expired cans or packages of food that have been hiding in the corners of your pantry. You’ll be amazed at how much extra space you’ll have once you’re finished.

Give your house a thorough cleaning to make it sparkle. Don’t forget to wipe down light switches, door handles, and outlet covers. Take out a broom to sweep storage areas such as the attic, basement, or garage. If you’re too busy or can find a million excuses not to clean, hire a professional cleaner for a rate of $25 to $80 per hour.

Sell if it aligns with your goals

While market challenges may keep some homeowners from selling in 2025, others may have to move for various reasons. Maybe you scored a new job in a different city or require a bigger house to accommodate your growing family.

If you’re in a similar situation and need to move into a new place quickly, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program allows you to unlock your home’s equity for the purchase of a new home. You’ll be able to buy your new home without a home sale contingency and sell your home vacant with less hassle.

For those who are still on the fence about selling their homes, Quinn recommends asking yourself these questions: Why are you moving? Is moving in line with your goals and the quality of life you want to achieve?

Your responses will help determine the answer to the question, “Should I sell my house in 2025?”

Writer Julie Guthmann contributed to this article.

Header Image Source: (Breno Assis / Unsplash)