Is It Time To Put Your House Back on the Market?
If you took your house off the market in late 2024, you’re not the only one. Newsweek reports that data from CoreLogic and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says nearly 73,000 homes were pulled from the market in December alone – that's more than any other December going all the way back to 2017 (see graph below): But now, with spring fast approaching, it’s time to reassess. The market is already picking up, and waiting any longer to jump back in may only mean you’d face more competition from other sellers down the road.
Whether it was because offers weren’t coming in, the timing around the holidays felt overwhelming, or they wanted to see if the market would improve in the new year – a lot of other homeowners decided to press pause, too.
Why Now Could Be the Right Time
Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains that some of those sellers may have pulled their listings late last year with the goal of trying again this spring: That’s because spring is when buyer demand is typically at its highest point for the year. More people start their home search once the weather warms up. They’re eager to close on a home so they can move in during the summer. So, it’s a great window for sellers. It means more buyers. And while mortgage rates haven’t fallen dramatically, they have come down some in recent weeks. Early 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.“Another reason for a step back could be that sellers wanted to wait and see how spring home buying season goes, and if mortgage rates fall, which would bring more home buyers and competition back in the market.”
What To Do Differently This Time
Start by checking the status of your listing agreement. Because even if you pulled your listing, you may still be under contract. And until your listing expires, your agent or brokerage is your best resource on what else you could try to get it sold. Realtor.com offers this advice: If your contract is still active, now’s the perfect time to reconnect with your agent to explore strategies to get your home sold this time around. If your contract has expired and you’re considering other options, reach out to a trusted real estate professional who can help you figure out where to go from here. Either way, take some time to reflect on your last experience. What held you back from getting it sold before? And what can you do to improve your chances this time around? Be sure to include your 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: “If you aren't sure of the status of your listing, whether active, expired, or withdrawn, take a look at your listing agreement and talk to your real estate agent.”
If your house didn’t sell last year, spring may be your second chance. With buyer activity rising, it’s the perfect time to talk to an agent about coming back into the market with a fresh strategy. What do you want to do differently this time around? Talk to your agent to go over your options and make a plan.
What’s Happening in Northern Colorado Springs?
If you took your home off the market in late 2024, you weren’t alone. 294 listings in our area were Withdrawn, Cancelled, or Expired in Q4 2024, many due to low activity and buyer hesitation—which is typical during the holiday season.
Now that spring is here, should you relist? Buyer activity is increasing, but with inventory growing and economic uncertainty still in play, sellers need to be strategic.
📈 Buyer Activity Is Picking Up – But Cautiously
While demand is showing early signs of improvement, buyers remain cautious, waiting for mortgage rates to stabilize and evaluating their financial situations carefully.
We’re in a Balanced Market – What Does That Mean for Sellers?
📦 Current Inventory Status
- Highly motivated to sell.
- Pricing competitively to attract buyers.
With more sellers entering the market in the coming months, those who list now may face less competition than later in the season.
Why Didn’t Your Home Sell the First Time?
If your home sat on the market in late 2024, it likely wasn’t due to a lack of interest in real estate—it was about pricing, buyer uncertainty, or conditions buyers weren’t willing to accept.
📌 Key Reasons Homes Didn’t Sell in Q4 2024:
✔️ Overpricing with the expectation of negotiating downward (rather than pricing correctly from the start).
✔️ High mortgage rates and inflation concerns keeping buyers hesitant.
✔️ Uncertainty about economic factors, including potential tariffs on construction materials and the risk of layoffs in a shifting economy.
✔️ Sellers reluctant to offer reasonable concessions, though most are now more open to negotiations.
What Should Sellers Do Differently This Time?
💡 Step 1: Adjust Your Pricing Strategy
🏡 Step 2: Be Open to Concessions
📷 Step 3: Prioritize Professional Photography, Not Staging
🌐 Step 4: Don’t Rely Solely on Marketing
Bottom Line: Is It Time to Relist?
🏡 More buyers are entering the market, but competition among sellers is growing.
📦 If you relist now, you may face less competition than later in the season.
📉 Sellers who price strategically, offer reasonable concessions, and focus on high-quality listing photos will have the best chance of success.
💬 Thinking about selling again? Let’s go over your options and create a fresh strategy.
📩 Contact Wolff Real Estate Group today!
