When Your Home Isn’t Selling: Should You Withdraw the Listing or Change Agents?
It can be frustrating and even disheartening when your home isn’t selling and sits on the market without meaningful offers. At some point, you may start to wonder: Is it time to pull the listing, or would switching agents make a difference?
Here’s how to navigate that decision with clarity and confidence.
Why your home isn’t selling
Before taking drastic steps, it helps to examine common reasons a home lingers unsold:
- Pricing: Even in strong markets, an overpriced home will have trouble. Buyers today are savvy and have plenty of data at their fingertips. Buyers often know value better than we think.
- Condition & Presentation: Today’s Buyers shop online first. Poor photos, clutter, or deferred maintenance can easily turn them off.
- Market Dynamics: Interest rates, seasonal patterns, and local supply and demand all play a role AND affect buyer urgency
- Marketing Reach: Not all agents/teams use customized strategies. Digital exposure, staging guidance, and proactive outreach to other agents matter.
Should you withdraw the listing?
If your circumstances have changed, perhaps you’re no longer ready to move, or you want to wait for a better market, withdrawing your MLS listing might make sense. Just keep in mind:
- Some MLS systems track the days on market, so relisting later doesn’t always give you a fresh slate.
- Buyers and agents may notice previous listings, so timing and presentation are key when you return to market.
Is it time to change agents?
Sometimes, a fresh perspective and renewed energy are exactly what’s needed. It may be time to consider other agents if:
- You feel your listing was not aggressively marketed.
- Communication was lacking, you weren’t getting honest feedback, clear updates, or strategic advice.
- The agent or team did not deliver what was promised, whether that was availability, professional photography, staging help, open houses, or specific advertising commitments.
- The agent or team was simply difficult to work with, adding stress to an already demanding process.
- You suspect pricing guidance wasn’t in line with current local realities.
- A new agent can often bring different tools, marketing channels, and negotiation strengths to reposition your home for a better result.
Bottom line
Whether you decide to withdraw your MLS listing and wait for a better time, or switch agents to get renewed energy, make sure your decision is driven by facts, not just frustration. A thoughtful strategy, informed by data and market insights, will put you in the best position to sell on your terms. A seasoned real estate professional can help you assess the data and chart the best next steps.
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By Dan Krell
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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.