After a sluggish 2025 housing market weighed down by affordability challenges and hesitant buyers and sellers, many homeowners are entering 2026 with understandable uncertainty. But the new year brings encouraging news: according to HomeLight’s latest survey of more than 850 top real estate agents nationwide, the outlook for 2026 is more hopeful. Nearly 70% of agents say they feel optimistic about the year ahead, and 68% expect more inventory as delayed sellers finally decide to make a move. In this post, we present the top five home seller fears, as reported by surveyed agents across the country. We’ll share expert tips on how to address each one to increase your chances of a successful home sale.
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, a top 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, a top 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 remain flat in 2026, with demand slightly improving. In HomeLight’s survey, most agents agree that the market is normalizing and that realistic pricing is more important than ever. Rather than focusing on what your home have sold for at the peak, shift your attention to: Brandon King, a top-rated agent in Los Angeles, California, says that getting a peak price for your home starts with hiring an agent 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.” To get an idea of how much you might make from your home sale, try our free online Net Proceeds Calculator. Selling is only half the journey. Many homeowners worry about what comes next, especially if they’re juggling two transactions at once 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, a top agent in Vancouver, Washington. These concerns are common but solvable with the right planning and expertise. In reality, today’s sellers have more flexibility than ever. Your options may include: HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program lets you unlock the equity in your current home to streamline the entire buy-sell process. You can make a strong, non-contingent offer on your new home and only move once. Watch this short video to learn more. “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, a top 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. 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, a top 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, a top agent serving the Atlanta, Georgia area. In certain areas, rising taxes and homeowners insurance costs are adding to the hesitation. Even in a higher-rate environment, many sellers successfully make their next move by: “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. Economic headlines, interest rate changes, 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, a top performer 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, a top 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 half of participating agents (47%) predict that economic growth will remain slow in the coming year, but no recession is on the horizon. Another 20% of top agents expect the economy will actually strengthen in 2026. Uncertainty doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bad time to sell. In fact: 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. 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, a top-performing 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.” History shows that life timing usually matters more than market timing. You may benefit from selling when: “It is nearly impossible to time the market,” says James Bowerman, a top 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, a top-rated 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.” Most top agents agree: a well-priced, well-prepared, and well-cared-for home can succeed in almost any market cycle. While fears about price, timing, affordability, and uncertainty are real, they’re also manageable with the right information and guidance. And with most agents expressing optimism about the year ahead, 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, a top 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.” Worters adds this final note of advice: “Now more than ever, choosing the right listing agent and listing firm is critical. Take the time to research, get recommendations, and interview more than one agent.” If you’re considering a move, HomeLight can connect you with a top-performing, trusted local real estate agent. Our free Agent Match platform analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs. To help you avoid delays and lost proceeds, try our Home Seller Mistake Mashup Machine below:Fear #1: Selling for less than peak price
How to overcome it
Fear #2: Finding your next home after you sell
How to overcome it
Fear #3: Affording the move to your next home
How to overcome it
Fear #4: Market uncertainty or economic fears
How to overcome it
Fear #5: Trying to time the market perfectly
How to overcome it
Looking ahead to selling in 2026
