Home sales are getting harder to close because sellers are making a critical mistake

Story by Andy Medici

October 14, 2025

It’s getting harder to close home sales, and real estate agents agree why.

According to a recent survey of hundreds of agents by real estate tech venture Homelight, 62% of agents say more deals are falling through compared to a year ago. Homes also are sitting on the market longer. In 2021, during the height of the pandemic-era homebuying frenzy, the typical home sat on the market for just 14 days. That’s increased to between 47 and 62 days, the slowest pace in 10 years.

So what’s the biggest hold up? Prices. 

Most agents surveyed (77%) said the biggest mistake sellers make is overpricing.

“A seller in today’s market has to be savvy enough to know that buyers feel empowered and ready to negotiate,” said Melanie Thomas, a real estate agent with Real Broker LLC in Orlando, Florida, in a report with the survey. “The days when you could assume multiple offers over the asking price are long over. The only homes that will sell with short days on market are the ones that are priced correctly from the start.”

Sellers are trying to adjust their expectations, with 82% of real estate agents across the country saying they saw an increase in price cuts during the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same time in 2024. 

The report noted that sellers who use seasoned agents can avoid the mistake of thinking the housing market is the same as it was during the red-hot pandemic-era market, according to the report. The change in market conditions — combined with economic uncertainty, job instability and other economic headwinds — means homes no longer are able to command top dollar.  Read More

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