May 11, 2026
Amid heightened economic trepidation and rock-bottom levels of consumer confidence, the U.S. real estate market has fallen into a lull that it can't seem to shake off. (1)
Even though the median price of a home in America has climbed to more than $408,000 — a new record for the month of March (2) — sales activity has been meagre.
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The National Association of Realtors' most recent data from that month showed a "sluggish" number of existing homes switching hands, with transactions falling 3.6% from April and 1% from the same time last year, when sales figures were already on a downward trajectory. (3)
It's certainly not an ideal time to sell your home if you're seeking maximum return on investment, and the near future of the market feels uncertain, too. But if you need to liquidate equity, downsize, upgrade, or relocate for any other reason that makes timing non-negotiable, you simply have to optimize as much as possible to meet the market where it is right now. For many, that will include changing tack and re-listing after a lack of bites or a failed deal.
Let's say your home has been sitting on the market to the point that the listing has terminated. Or, it just hasn't garnered the interest you thought it would. Maybe a promising offer fell through for one reason or another — cold feet, sales conditions not met, etc. Or perhaps the listing just feels stale and, for strategy's sake, needs to be reworked.
As easy as it is to feel frustrated, it's crucial to keep your goals in mind and maintain hope, along with, of course, realistic expectations and flexibility. Here's how.
Assess blind spots and areas for improvement
Rather than simply relisting the home in the exact same way, examine what ways you could improve the listing. Were the photos of subpar quality, were there not enough of them, and/or did they fail to show the home at its best?
Did you forget to emphasize the home's most objectively sellable features? Were any key details left out? Was the description lacklustre? Is your price just too high for the area right now?
Even if nothing was particularly wrong or missing, you must look at how you can improve your listing — and your actual home — in absolutely every aspect within your means.
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Would some cleaning, painting and a quick refresh help? Can you spruce up the garden for some curb appeal? What about some better staging to make the home feel higher-end and move-in ready? Or just brighter, higher-resolution, better-angled and better-lit photos? (4)
More significant repairs and upgrades may be necessary to warrant your price point. You may want to opt for a pre-listing inspection to help identify and solve (or at least help you be transparent with) any major issues. (5)
But while a pre-listing inspection can serve to ease the minds of prospective buyers while also offering you more control of the inspection process, sellers should know that they're obligated to disclose anything that's uncovered during the review.
Comparing your listing to other homes for sale and any recently sold homes in your neighborhood will give you an idea of what works and doesn't work (like pricing).
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Do your research, work with professionals and seek as much advice as possible
Going beyond your own personal judgement on all of the above points is key. Sure, you may think the photos are acceptable, but your realtor, a professional stager, a photographer — heck, even a coworker or family member — may have some suggestions on how to enhance them.
Don't be afraid to work with your contacts and get a professional opinion (and help) on anything that could be of benefit. Do you know a writer who could do wonders with the wording of the listing? Someone who's a promotional expert? An amateur videographer who loves creating drone content? Anyone with expertise on the local market and pricing, interior decorating or landscaping?
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Loved ones and acquaintances can be great sounding boards if you're looking for advice and a more objective perspective. Even better if it's someone who's recently sold (or bought) their home.
Another thing to consider is listing with a different agent or brokerage altogether. (6) Can you find an agent with a higher success rate or more pervasive marketing? Maybe a friend has worked with a firm that they can't stop raving about, and that has good reviews. Research, research, research.
Pivot and re-list your property
Now it's time to take everything you've learned and apply it to making your home show as best as it possibly can, and to making your listing shine.
If your objective is as quick a sale as possible to liquidate fast, perhaps you've lowered your price substantially. (7) If it's to get the best value in today's market, maybe you've taken some thoughtful steps to highlight strong points, polish weak ones and add value within a reasonable budget.
There's also a chance you've decided to take a break until a more lucrative selling season or until market conditions are more desirable. (8)
With new knowledge, a fresh listing and some intentional upgrades, hopefully you have more luck next time around — and that a new approach means you no longer need to rely on just luck.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
Bloomberg (1); National Association of Realtors (2),(3),(4); Moving.com (5); Money (6); Kiplinger (7); Trulia (8)
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Becky Robertson is a senior staff reporter with Moneywise and a lifelong writer. Along with years in the journalism industry at outlets such as blogTO and Quill & Quire, she's participated in writing residencies at the Banff Centre and Writing Workshops Paris. With 33 countries visited, she finds travel to be one of her greatest inspirations.
