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For Sellers

The Real Reason Home Sales Slowed in January. And It’s Not What You Think.

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If you saw headlines that talked about how “home sales fell sharply in January,” it probably raised an eyebrow – especially if you’re thinking about selling your house. But context matters.

Yes, in January, home sales declined. But that has more to do with seasonality and the weather than it does with any big drop off in demand. 

What’s Really Behind the Decline? 

Reports coming out of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) say the pace of home sales fell roughly 8.4% last month compared to the month before. And that’s true. But it isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. 

Data show it’s normal for sales to dip in January. In the last 4 years, that pattern has held true all but once. And sure, the decline we saw this year was a steeper drop off than the norm (the yellow bars on the right), but that can be explained too. More on that in a moment.

The really important part you’re not going to get from the headlines is this: typically speaking, the pace of home sales picks back up in February as the spring market starts to take off. That’s shown in the green bars below.

So even though the market slowed a bit momentarily, it should start to pick back up.

And just in case you’re wondering, why the bigger drop this year, especially with mortgage rates being lower than last year? Here’s your answer. As Realtor.com explains

“Winter storm Fern, which dumped snow and ice across large swaths of the country, likely disrupted some closings, weighing on the data and making it difficult to pick out the housing market momentum trend from the weather noise.”

This January, 40 states were hit with widespread winter weather according to the National Weather Service. And in real estate, that slows down the momentum. Here’s why.

Existing home sales data tracks closed transactions, not new contracts. So, if inspections, appraisals, or final walk-throughs get delayed by storms, those deals often slide into the next month instead of falling apart – especially when buyers and sellers are still trying to move forward.

Will Home Sales Pick Back Up?

January’s missing sales are more likely “postponed” than “lost.” They haven’t disappeared. They’re just taking a little longer to close. 

The rest of the data still points to a market that has traction heading into spring.

Affordability has improved for the 7th month in a row, and buyers are regaining negotiating power in many markets throughout the nation. So, this one monthly report doesn’t mean buyers aren’t buying. It just means, as weather warms up, activity should too.

Bottom Line

Don’t confuse a weather-impacted month with a market losing steam. If anything, improving affordability is an indicator of more activity to come, not less.

If you have questions about what you’re hearing online or in the news, reach out to a local real estate agent. Because the truth is, a little context can give you back your peace of mind.

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Agent Value

If Your House Isn’t Getting Offers, Read This.

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Online searches for “can’t sell house” just hit an all-time high according to Google Trends. So, if your house has been sitting on the market without any bites, you’re not the only one. But it’s also not the end of the road. 

Homes are selling every day, so you can turn this around. You just need to take another look at your approach.

a graph of a house priceIf you’re feeling this pain, know this: an online search engine isn’t where you should go for your answers. It’s much better to talk to your agent. Because a search engine doesn’t know your market or your house. But your agent does.

While a quick search or an AI platform may give you some tips on what to try, only an expert agent can actually diagnosis what’s going on – and how to fix it.

For example, your agent knows most homes that struggle to sell today are usually being held back by one (or more) of these three things.

1. Presentation: Buyers Will Compare Everything

When inventory was tight a few years ago, buyers overlooked imperfections because they had to, or they’d lose out to another bidder. Now? That’s no longer the case.

Today’s buyers scroll through dozens of listings in just minutes. They compare condition, updates, lighting, finishes, layout, and more – all side by side. If your home feels dated, cluttered, or in need of repairs, buyers will notice and it’ll knock your house right off their list of contenders.

This doesn’t mean you need a full renovation. But it does mean first impressions matter again. To compete today, you need curb appeal. Clean spaces. Neutral colors. Professional photos. If there are scuffs on the walls, obvious repairs, or too many outdated features, it could be what’s holding you back.

2. Pricing: If the Price Isn’t Compelling, It’s Not Selling

This is maybe the hardest one to hear, but what your neighbor sold their house for a few years ago isn’t necessarily the same price you’ll get today. As Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at Cotality, says:

“For sellers, the days of pricing aggressively and expecting instant offers are largely over. Homes that are well-priced and well-presented will still sell, but pricing discipline matters more than it did during boom years.”

Buyers are budget-conscious right now. If your home is priced based on outdated expectations instead of current demand, buyers may still look at your house online… but they likely won’t write an offer. Or, they’ll make an offer that you think is too low.

Pricing too high for this market is one of the top things sellers miss the mark on today. And those who aren’t willing to meet the market where it is or entertain offers may feel stuck.

3. Access: If Buyers Can’t See It, They Can’t Buy It

It sounds obvious but limited showing availability can kill your momentum. If your house isn’t easy to see because you’re restricting showings to evenings only, no weekends, or requiring a 24-hour notice, you’re cutting your buyer pool down by more than you may realize. 

And the more friction you create, the fewer buyers walk through the door.

In a market where buyers have more options, the last thing you want to do is give them a reason to skip your house. Availability matters because if no one sees it, no one buys it.

Don’t Let Search Results Decide Your Next Step

When your house isn’t selling, it’s tempting to spiral and wonder if it’s the market or if something’s wrong with your house. But instead of searching for answers online, here’s what to do.

Sit down with your agent and ask three honest questions:

  • What are buyers looking for in today’s market?
  • What feedback are we getting from showings?
  • Why do you think my house hasn’t sold yet?

That conversation will bring a lot more clarity than any search engine results.

Bottom Line

If your listing feels stuck, it’s not a sign you shouldn’t sell. It’s the market giving you feedback. And feedback is powerful when you use it.

Start with a real conversation with a real agent about what’s working and what’s not. Your agent will be able to tell you which small adjustments could totally change the momentum. Because in this market, the sellers who adapt are the ones who move.

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For Sellers

Spring Sellers Have an Edge. Here’s Why.

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Homeowners looking to sell usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Spring is the season that most often delivers all three.

So, if a move has been on your mind this year, this is the window where momentum tends to work in your favor. Here’s what makes this season so powerful for sellers.

1. More Buyers Will Be Looking

Typically speaking, in the housing market, there’s no more popular time to move than the Spring. Historically, data coming out of ShowingTime proves that’s when buyer activity peaks each year. Take a look for yourself (see graph below):

a graph of numbers and a number of monthsAnd this year, there’s more than just the seasonal trend working in your favor. Mortgage rates are also sitting near 3-year lows – and that combination matters.

More buyers + improving affordability = more eyes on your house.

That doesn’t mean the market will return to the frenzy of the pandemic – far from it. But it does mean more buyers will be ready to re-enter the market. And that’s good for you. As Redfin says:

“Homebuying demand is improving . . . and mortgage-purchase applications are sitting near their highest level in three years. . .”

You should make sure your house is listed so you can take advantage of the uptick in demand. Because more activity means one thing: more opportunity to get a deal done.

2. You May Get More Offers

With more buyer demand, it makes sense that you may get more offers on your house. And history shows that’s usually true.

If we look at the data for the last three years from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and take the averages for each month, it’s clear sellers in the Spring get more offers (see graph below):

a graph of salesNow, don’t expect the excessive bidding wars that were so famous in 2020 and 2021. But it does mean, seasonality could help you out this Spring. As Realtor.com explains:

“Spring typically brings out more buyers who are ready to make a move before summer. Listings see more views, showings, and offers during this season.”

And that could be really good for your bottom line.

3. Homes Usually Sell Faster

There’s one more predictable pattern that happens pretty much every Spring based on research from Realtor.com. Homes sell faster (see graph below):

On average, homes sell 20 days faster in the Spring compared to the Winter. That’s almost 3 weeks shaved off your timeline. And that’s a difference you can feel.

Since homes have been taking longer to sell lately, listing your house during what’s usually the most active time of the year means you’re setting yourself up to move as quickly as possible. And isn’t that what sellers really want?

The faster your home sells, the earlier you can move on to what’s next for you.

If you’re eager to go on to your next chapter, need to downsize, or you’ve run out of space, Spring may be your best time to sell.  

Bottom Line

Spring doesn’t guarantee a sale. Strategy still matters. But this season gives you something valuable: momentum.

More buyers. More activity. More opportunity.

The real question is: if you’re going to sell this year, why not do it when the odds are in your favor?

Talk to an agent about what selling this season could mean for your house and your timeline.

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Equity

Are Home Prices Dropping? Here’s the Real Story.

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You’ve probably seen posts on social media talking about how “home prices are falling.” And when you see something like that, it’s normal to wonder:

Is this the start of a crash?

What does this mean for my house?

Let’s clear this up right away. This is not a crash. And your home is not suddenly losing a lot of value.

The National Story – Prices Are Still Going Up

Here’s what often gets left out of what you’re seeing online. While some markets are experiencing slight declines, they’re the minority. Most places are still seeing prices rise or at the very least, hold steady.

That’s why, at the national level, home prices are still rising, just at a slower pace. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Home prices continued to rise in the fourth quarter of 2025. National median prices rose 1.2% year over year to $414,900.”

That’s not the rapid growth of a few years ago, but it’s not a downturn either. And just to really drive this home, here’s a look at the data from NAR at a regional level, so you can see that the negative narrative spun up online isn’t the whole truth (see graph below):

a graph of a number of housesHome prices are up (or at least holding steady) in the Northeast, Midwest, and South. The West has seen some small declines in certain markets, but “small” is the key word.

There is no wave of falling prices across the country. Instead, there are just a few pockets adjusting after several years of what’s typically considered unsustainable or exponential growth.

Yes, Some Markets Have Come Down, But Look at the Bigger Picture.

Okay, but what about the places where prices have declined? According to ResiClub and Zillow, that’s not a cause for major concern. When you zoom out and look at those same markets over the past five years, the story changes (see graph below):

a graph of a number of percentIn the areas with recent declines, home values are still significantly higher than they were just five years ago. That’s a direct reflection of how much home values have gone up.

Online chatter tends to shine a spotlight on the few areas that are down. But the bigger picture shows most homeowners are still in a very strong position.

Of course, every market, and every home, is different. But broadly speaking, home values are holding steady. And this isn’t a sign of widespread trouble in the market.

Bottom Line

Despite what you may be seeing online, home prices are rising or holding steady in most parts of the country.

If you’re curious what your home is worth today, take a look at the numbers with a local real estate agent. Because context, and local expertise, matter more than what you’re seeing online.

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Copyright © 2020-2025 Mark Sincavage. All rights reserved.  
The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in these article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage, and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.