by Omar Cruz | Jul 2, 2026 | Economy, Expired/Withdrawn/Canceled, For Buyers, For Sellers
Author: Keeping Current Matters
You may be hearing that a near-record number of homeowners are pulling their houses off the market. And if that headline has you thinking, “Wait… is something bad about to happen?” You’re not alone.
Because when people start stepping to the sidelines, it sounds like a warning sign that something’s coming – or that they realize something you don’t know.
Here’s the thing. This trend gets spun like it means the market is about to crash. But the data tells a more practical story.
What the Numbers Actually Say
According to the latest data from Redfin, 5.5% of all listings were taken off the market in May. And it’s true that’s almost the highest it’s been since back in March 2020 (see graph below):
That can sound scary. But a lot of the fear comes from how this story gets told. “A near record number of sellers are pulling their listings” makes a great clickbait headline – and that sort of thing spreads fast, especially online. But sellers pull a house off the market for plenty of reasons that have nothing to do with a crash.
Redfin points to four main forces driving this trend:
- Homes are taking longer to sell. When the pace slows down, some sellers get frustrated and decide to hold off.
- The number of homes for sale is rising faster than demand. That means buyers have more options. And sellers who don’t price or prep right may not get many eyes on their house.
- Some sellers still have pandemic-era price expectations. A price that would’ve worked a couple of years ago may not match what today’s buyers will pay.
- Economic uncertainty is making both buyers and sellers cautious. Buyers pause. Sellers second-guess. And that has an impact on overall sales volume and pace.
Notice what’s missing from that list? There isn’t a single mention of an impending market crash or price collapse.
This is about a shifting pace, more competition, and sellers deciding how they want to respond.
One Detail Most Headlines Leave Out
Want more peace of mind that this isn’t a crash? This next stat delivers. Yes, more sellers are taking their homes off the market. But Redfin also shows something you’re not going to see in social posts…
The number of re-listings is growing too.
While more sellers are pulling their listings, more are also deciding to give selling a second shot. This is pretty much the highest re-listings have been since the pandemic hit.
While 5.5% got pulled in May, 2.3% were also put back on the market (see graph below):
That’s a signal sellers aren’t giving up or running away in large numbers.
Some are simply stepping away briefly before deciding to try again. That tells you this often isn’t a permanent decision. In many cases, it’s a pause – and the seller comes back with a different approach.
A lot of the time, that change in the overall strategy is all that’s needed to finally get a house sold.
And just in case you need more proof this isn’t a reason to worry, check this out. Buyer activity may be starting to pick back up – and that could bring more sellers back in or, at least, prevent some sellers from pulling back.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports existing home sales increased 3.2% in May. That’s the biggest increase since December. As the Wall Street Journal puts it:
“Home sales in May posted the biggest rise this year, a sign that the housing market’s crucial spring selling season may be showing signs of life after a sluggish start.”
That doesn’t sound like a market in trouble.
Bottom Line
If you’re seeing headlines about how a record number of sellers are taking their homes off the market, don’t panic. It’s not a warning of an impending crash. It’s a market adjusting.
by Omar Cruz | Jul 1, 2026 | Agent Value, Expired/Withdrawn/Canceled, For Sellers, Selling Tips
Author: Keeping Current Matters
When your house doesn’t sell, it’s not just disappointing. It messes with your timing. Your plans. Your confidence. You start second-guessing everything, including the decision to move in the first place. And that raises 2 big questions:
Do you try again?
Is that even worth it?
Here’s the secret to getting a better outcome the second time around.
Different Agent. Different Results.
Most sellers who re-list and ultimately sell don’t wait for the market to magically change. They change their approach. And there’s data to back that up.
Research from REDX shows homeowners who put their house back on the market with a different agent are more likely to sell than homeowners who reused the same agent. Not to mention, they see their homes sell faster (see graph below):
That’s the power of a fresh set of eyes. Because in a moment like this, the worst thing you can do is rerun the same set of plays and expect a different outcome. A different agent can bring a new perspective on where things went off track – and a lot of the time, one of these things happened.
1. The Asking Price Didn’t Match Buyer Reality
There’s a saying that’s especially important in today’s market, and it’s: “If your price isn’t compelling, it’s not selling.” Maybe that’s what happened with your house.
With mortgage rates where they are and inflation driving up the cost of everyday purchases, buyers have less room to stretch. If they feel like your house is priced even a little high, it’s going to get skipped over. And if no one looks at it, it’s not going to sell.
The Fix: Price to draw buyers in, not push them away. Have an agent pull fresh data from recent sales so your asking price matches what buyers are actually paying right now.
2. The First Impression Didn’t Win the Click
Most buyers decide whether they want to tour a home in seconds. If the photos look dark or dated, they scroll right past. And while you may think: “If they just saw it in person, they’d get it,” you may not get that chance.
And honestly, even in person, small things can quietly kill momentum – worn-down paint, outdated fixtures, clutter, or a yard that feels high-maintenance. Individually, they’re small. Stacked together, they create doubt.
The Fix: Walk the house like you’re a buyer, not the owner. Start with what’s easy and obvious – paint, lighting, curb appeal, decluttering. Then update the photos so they match the best version of your house.
3. The Marketing Was Too “Set It and Forget It”
Today, the number of homes for sale has grown in many areas. Buyers have more options, which means your house needs a plan to stand out. A generic description and a basic upload to the MLS can blend in fast.
The Fix: Find an agent who can build stronger exposure through digital marketing and social platforms, plus content that makes buyers stop – strong photos, a smart description, a video walk-through, and a plan for open houses and follow-up.
4. There Was No Clear Plan for Feedback
Sometimes the house gets showings, but no offers. If that was your experience, it actually tells you something important. Buyers liked it enough online to come see it. So, something else was holding them back.
Those buyers were sending a message. It just wasn’t translated into action.
The Fix: Make sure your agent has a clear plan for seeking out and acting on feedback quickly. That dialogue often points to the one change that would get a house sold.
5. The Deal Couldn’t Get Over the Finish Line
Even when a house is priced well and marketed right, deals fall apart when there’s no plan for the human side of the transaction.
Buyers today are more likely to ask for repairs, credits, or help with closing costs than a few years ago. In this type of market, being unwilling to negotiate can cost you more than a reasonable concession ever would.
The Fix: Decide ahead of time what matters most to you and where you can be flexible. Keep the dialogue open and lean on your agent for advice.
Bottom Line
If your house didn’t sell the first time, you’re not stuck. You just need a different strategy, and maybe a different partner.
When you’re ready for a fresh set of eyes on what happened and what to change first, connect with a local agent.
