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Sell now or wait? 5 home seller fears in 2026, according to a survey of agents

·Richard Hadded for HomeLight

An American suburban residential house and a garage with landscaping. — bluestork // Shutterstock
An American suburban residential house and a garage with landscaping. — bluestork // Shutterstock

Sell now or wait? 5 home seller fears in 2026, according to a survey of agents

Thousands of U.S. homeowners across the country have been holding off on making a move because the housing market keeps sending mixed signals.

HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights & Predictions Survey for 2026 was fielded between Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, 2025, through an online poll of over 850 real estate agents across the country. Based on the , has identified the top five home seller fears for 2026 and gathered expert tips on how you can overcome each one to increase your chances of a successful home sale.

Fear No. 1: Selling for less than peak price

For many homeowners, the hardest part of selling right now isn’t the transaction itself; it’s the emotional weight of feeling like they missed the market’s high point.

“Sellers worry less about the price itself and more about the feeling that they ‘missed the peak,’” says Austin Moore, an agent in Longview, Texas. “It is an emotional hesitation. Even when their equity position is strong, they fear leaving money on the table compared to neighbors who sold at the top. The concern is not just price, it’s regret.”

Others are grappling with shifting conditions after the ultra-competitive seller’s markets of recent years.

“Sellers are concerned about getting top dollar in a declining market with fewer qualified buyers. But if a home sits on the market a long time, and a seller is reluctant to drop the price to gain more traction, they could be in a pickle,” explains Wanda Cox, an agent serving the Greater Tampa Bay, Florida, area. “Price drops may be necessary to win.”

While price growth has slowed in many areas, that doesn’t necessarily mean values and list prices are falling sharply. In fact, J.P. Morgan Global Research predicts that U.S. house prices will , with demand slightly improving.

In HomeLight’s survey, most agents agree that the market is normalizing and that is more important than ever.

How to overcome it

Rather than focusing on what your home might have sold for at the peak, shift your attention to:

  • Your net proceeds today, including .
  • Local market momentum, not national headlines.
  • , which agents say is the No. 1 factor in how quickly a home sells.

Brandon King, an agent in Los Angeles, California, says that getting a peak price for your home starts with who employs advanced marketing strategies, offering you better options and modern tools.

“The reality is simple: Not all agents are equal. Choosing someone just because ‘you know them’ can leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table,” he cautions. “Technology, digital reach, and data-based targeting have changed how buyers discover homes. If an agent’s marketing approach hasn’t evolved, the seller pays the price.”

If you’re curious how much you might make from your home sale in 2026, many real estate companies offer free online .

Seller insight: A separate HomeLight survey found that the is overpricing.

Fear No. 2: Finding your next home after you sell

Selling is only half the journey. Many homeowners worry about what comes next, especially if they’re juggling or giving up a historically low mortgage rate.

“Sellers are worried about how long it will take to find the right buyer and what their own next move looks like,” says Robert Masoudpour, a Marietta, Georgia, agent with 24 years of experience. “Many want to sell but feel uncertain about timing, pricing, and giving up their low mortgage rate.”

Others fear getting stuck between homes.

“The combination of selling and buying at the same time creates fear of getting stuck with a home they don’t want,” says Jennifer Belmore, an agent in Vancouver, Washington.

These concerns are common but solvable with the right planning and expertise.

How to overcome it

In reality, today’s sellers have more flexibility than ever. Your options may include:

  • or agreements that give you extra time.
  • Careful timing strategies guided by a .
  • Modern or bridge solutions that let you secure your next home first.

A buy-before-you-sell program lets you unlock equity in your current home, streamlining the entire buy-sell process. You can make a strong, on your new home and only move once.

“Many sellers find using a buy-before-you-sell option is the easiest way to make a move that fits their goals for buying and selling a home in our current market,” says Ann Adams, an agent in Chandler, Arizona. “Better homes are available to pick from now, too, so you can find what you really want.”

With preparation, expert guidance, and innovative new programs, you can coordinate both moves smoothly and avoid that feeling of being in limbo.

Seller insight: If you want to avoid a double move or making a contingent offer on your new house, talk to your agent or lender about the .

Fear No. 3: Affording the move to your next home

For homeowners with mortgage rates near 2% or 3%, today’s higher borrowing costs can make moving feel financially daunting.

“Many homeowners don’t want to give up a 2%–3% mortgage rate only to buy again at double the rate or more,” says Jim DeHaan, an agent in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Some also worry about paying more for a home that still needs updates.

“If they sell, they worry that they’ll have to pay more for a less updated home at a higher interest rate,” says Maggy Calhoun, an agent serving the Atlanta, Georgia, area.

In certain areas, rising taxes and homeowners insurance costs are adding to the hesitation.

How to overcome it

Even in a higher-rate environment, many sellers successfully make their next move by:

  • Leveraging to reduce or eliminate a new mortgage.
  • or to a more affordable area.
  • Exploring , rate , or creative financing.

“Homeowners who are buying can use some of their current equity to buy points to lower their interest rate on the new purchase,” notes DeHaan. “Or they can ask the seller [of the new home] to pay for an interest rate buydown.”

As a seller, you might consider offering to fund a rate buydown to attract more offers, especially in markets where rising property prices, elevated taxes, or home insurance costs are adding to buyer hesitation.

Seller insight: The HomeLight survey found that are one of the top incentives being offered in the current market.

Fear No. 4: Market uncertainty or economic fears

Economic headlines, , and recession talk have left many households cautious about making big decisions.

“Market uncertainty and economic fears are combining with the affordability concerns tied to moving elsewhere,” says Leila Torres Drewes, an agent on the Miranda Team in Burbank, California. “Add to this the fact that [for many], health insurance rates are doubling — people are hurting.”

Walt Reinhardt, an Austin, Texas agent, agrees. “[With] so much uncertainty in the economy, a lot of people are frozen and afraid to make a move.”

So what can you expect if you step into the market? Nearly (47%) predict that economic growth will remain slow throughout 2026, but they do not foresee a recession on the horizon. Another 20% of surveyed agents expect the economy will actually strengthen in 2026.

How to overcome it

Uncertainty doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bad time to sell. In fact:

  • Buyer demand still exists, especially for well-priced and homes.
  • Inventory is expected to rise, bringing more .
  • Smart strategies matter more than perfect timing.

If a higher interest rate and monthly payments are playing a role in your doubts, Cypress, Texas, agent Herma Hayes reminds her clients that current interest rates are temporary, and the equity you have now can give you additional leverage.

“Don’t wait to move. Sell now and find the home you want. It is a buyer's market,” she advises. “You can refinance the loan later. You will have a large amount to put down [from your equity], so you may not need to borrow as much as you think.”

“The housing market is like the weather; can you control it?” says Miami, Florida, agent Hugo Barragan. “Therefore, be flexible, be open, follow your instincts, and enjoy all the amazing opportunities sitting out there waiting for you to show up.”

Focusing on your immediate home needs, your current assets, and what you can control (e.g., pricing, preparation, marketing) often matters more than predicting the economy.

Seller insight: Consult with an experienced local real estate agent or use a data-driven to help you gauge the market before listing your home for sale.

Fear No. 5: Trying to time the market perfectly

Many sellers hesitate, hoping prices or rates will shift in their favor. The challenge? Perfect timing is nearly impossible, even for experienced professionals.

“Some sellers say, ‘I’ll wait for the market to go back up,’” says Claudia Marion, an agent in the Las Vegas, Nevada, area. “If you have been waiting the last two years, what will waiting longer do for you? Life changes. Look at the lifestyle, not the interest rate. Look at where you are going, not where you have been.”

How to overcome it

History shows that life timing usually matters more than market timing. You may benefit from selling when:

  • Your financial goals make sense.
  • Your next move is clear.
  • Your local market conditions support a strong sale.

“It is nearly impossible to time the market,” says James Bowerman, an agent serving Pasadena, Maryland. “Those waiting for mortgage rates to drop will likely never move or end up in a competitive market with lower supply and higher home prices.”

“It’s important to let lifestyle needs guide your decisions rather than waiting for the ‘perfect' rate or the ‘perfect’ time,” says Janet McAllister, an agent in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with 20 years of experience. “Sellers should also recognize the real value their home has gained from years of equity growth, improvement, care, and enjoyment — its worth extends far beyond interest-rate trends.”

Seller insight: Surveyed agents agree that a well-priced, , and well-cared-for home can succeed in almost any market cycle.

Partner with an expert to tackle your home seller fears

While fears about price, timing, affordability, and uncertainty are real, they’re also manageable with the . And with most agents expressing optimism about the 2026 market, many sellers may find new opportunities waiting on the other side of hesitation.

“Timing the market is always hard and often perilous, but moving makes the most sense when one’s life says it makes the most sense,” says David Worters, an agent in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Interest rates ebb and flow, as do prices, and I’m always a proponent of putting life first. When it’s time, it’s time.”

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