02/26/2026
Over 40,000 homes went back on the market in December.
We have never seen numbers like that.
Here’s what’s actually going on.
Buyers are getting houses under contract and then walking away.
They are leaning on contingencies to do it.
Inspection.
Financing.
Appraisal.
Not because the house is terrible.
Because they are uneasy.
The economy feels tight.
Groceries cost more.
Insurance costs more.
Monthly payments feel heavier than they did a year ago.
So the excitement of getting the house fades and reality sets in.
And those contingencies become leverage or an escape hatch.
For sellers, that hurts.
You lose momentum.
You go back on market.
Buyers see the history.
Price reductions start creeping in.
And online it does not feel neutral.
When someone is scrolling at night it does not say, buyer got cold feet.
It says, what is wrong with this house?
This market is mental as much as it is financial.
If you do not want to be part of that 40,000, you have to be intentional.
Price it right from day one.
Attract real, qualified buyers.
Structure the deal the right way.
Build confidence before the offer is even written.
In this market, getting under contract is not the win.
Getting to the closing table is.
If you are thinking about selling, work with a team that understands how to manage risk, not just stick a sign in the yard.
