Top 10 Seller Fears Every Agent Should Know How to Address
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The decision to sell a home is rarely just about dollars and cents — and in 2025, the fear factor is more real than ever.
According to new data from Clever Real Estate, 91% of homeowners admit they’re delaying selling due to at least one major concern. From sky-high mortgage rates to the sheer headache of packing, sellers are putting off moves — even if they want (or need) to make a change.
If you’re a listing agent trying to bring hesitant clients off the fence, priority number one is understanding exactly what is holding your sellers back.
Read on for the top 10 possible reasons.
#1. Mortgage Rate Paralysis
This one’s no surprise. Over 60% of homeowners with mortgages have rates below 4%, thanks to the unicorn years of 2020 and 2021.
Compare that to today’s rates hovering closer to 6.75%, and the math just doesn’t math.
Why swap a low monthly payment for a much higher one? For many sellers, the fear of trading a dream rate for a budget-busting one is enough to slam the brakes — even if they’re ready for more space, less space, or a fresh start.
#2. Fear of Lowball Offers
Nobody wants to leave money on the table—especially in markets where buyers have leverage again.
More than 8 in 10 (85%) sellers in Clever’s survey worry about getting offers well below the asking price.
This fear doesn’t just stem from unrealistic pricing expectations (though that’s often part of the equation). It’s also a reflection of the broader uncertainty sellers feel about their home’s true value in a market that’s cooled since the peak frenzy.
#3. Sticker Shock on Moving Costs
Moving isn’t cheap—and sellers know it. From hiring movers to unexpected expenses like cleaning, storage, and temporary housing, 63% of homeowners cited moving costs as a major factor in delaying their sale.
When budgets are already tight, every dollar counts. For some homeowners, the idea of spending thousands just to relocate, on top of everything else, makes staying put the easier choice.
And that doesn’t even take into account the cost in time. The process of moving typically goes beyond a weekend, meaning home sellers are often looking at requesting time off (with or without pay) to get everything done in one go.
#4. The Emotional Toll of Selling
Selling a home isn’t just a transaction—it’s personal. Nearly half (45%) of the homeowners surveyed say they feel emotionally attached to their home, while 44% are stressed about the logistics of moving.
The emotional impact surveyed homeowners anticipate with selling their home:
- 33% feel a sense of loss, even when they know selling is the right move
- 25% expect to feel anxious about the unknowns of the home selling process
- 18% feel disappointed about not being able to stay in their home
Combine that with the stress of showings, negotiations, and uncertainty about where they’ll go next, and it’s no wonder so many sellers are dragging their feet.
On the other hand, as Clever’s research shows, not all the emotions surrounding a home sale are negative:
- 35% expect to feel relieved to be done with the process of selling their home
- 27% anticipate feeling happy about the financial gain from selling
- 23% feel eager for the fresh start they anticipate as a result of the sale
- 12% anticipate feeling excited about the buyer enjoying their home
Be aware of what your sellers are feeling and what they expect to feel after selling their home. Knowing that can help you understand what they need from you and how best to communicate with them during and after the transaction.
#5. Repairs and Renovation Anxiety
Thinking about putting your home on the market often means thinking about everything that’s wrong with it. Clever’s report shows that 71% of sellers worry about unexpected repair costs or buyers demanding costly concessions.
Some sellers simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of fixing, staging, and perfecting their home—especially if they aren’t sure they’ll see a return on the investment.
Aspects of their home sellers are most worried buyers won’t like:
- Age of their home (37% of sellers admit they worry buyers will be put off by this)
- Condition (26%)
- Size (23%)
- Layout (19%)
- Decor/Painting (15%)
- Location (12%)
- External features of the property (12%)
Just 27% of the sellers surveyed are confident buyers will like everything about their home.
#6. Fear of the Unknown
Will it sell fast? Will it sit for months? Will buyers nitpick every detail? Uncertainty is one of the most paralyzing factors for sellers. Nearly 50% worry about either selling too quickly and scrambling for their next home or sitting on the market so long they lose leverage.
This fear is especially common among sellers who remember the multiple-offer madness of 2021 and now face a more balanced—even slightly buyer-friendly—reality.
Eight things’ sellers fear a home inspection could reveal:
- Issues with windows or doors—like drafts, broken seals, etc. (18% of sellers worry about this)
- Mold or water damage (17%)
- Roof damage or need for replacement (15%)
- Plumbing problems—like leaks, blockages, etc. (14%)
- Major structural issues—like foundation cracks or sinking (13%)
- Electrical problems—e.g., faulty wiring (13%)
- Problems with external features—like driveway cracks or deck safety (13%)
- Termite or pest infestations (11%)
By comparison, 46% of condo and townhouse owners worry about serious problems showing up in the inspection.
#7. Fear of Regretting the Sale (Because FOMO)
Even homeowners who are open to selling admit they’ll have a hard time letting go. A whopping 89% expect to miss something about their home once they sell—with these ranking as the top things they’ll miss most:
- The peace and quiet of their neighborhood (45% anticipate missing this)
- The neighborhood in general (34%)
- Memories of past events and special moments (34%)
- Their yard or outdoor space (28%)
- The convenience of the home’s location (27%)
- Their neighbors (25%)
- The size of their home (21%)
For agents, understanding these emotional hurdles is key to guiding sellers through the process with compassion and expertise.
#8. Timing the Market
For many homeowners, timing isn’t just a detail—it’s a dealbreaker. When asked to choose between two common scenarios, they’re almost perfectly split:
- 51% would prefer a buyer who offers asking price but can’t close on their ideal timeline
- 49% would rather accept a slightly lower offer from a buyer who can meet their preferred schedule
This focus on timing highlights how much sellers value control over their move—even if it means leaving a little money on the table.
That cautious mindset shows up in other ways too. Despite watching home values soar during the 2020-2022 boom, only 12% of homeowners regret not selling sooner. For most, the bigger hesitation is uncertainty about what comes next, with almost two-thirds (62%) unsure where they’d move if they sold.
Other key concerns weighing on sellers:
- 55% worry about having to move too quickly after selling
- 46% fear their home will sit on the market longer than they expect
With conflicting headlines about home prices, mortgage rates, and inventory levels, it’s no wonder so many sellers are stuck in analysis paralysis.
That’s another area where you, as a knowledge broker for your community, can offer clarity and build confidence.
#9. Trust Issues with Agents
Clever’s data uncovered a twist: some homeowners are hesitant to list because they’re not sure they trust real estate agents.
One of the biggest concerns homeowners have when it comes to hiring a real estate agent? The cost. A full 38% of sellers worry that their agent will charge too high a commission, making it harder to walk away with their desired profit.
But agent compensation isn’t the only factor giving sellers pause in 2025.
- 33% fear the agent won’t put enough time or effort into selling their home
- 32% are concerned their agent will pressure them into uncomfortable decisions
- 31% think their agent might prioritize their own profit over the seller’s best interests
- 28% worry their agent won’t communicate with them often enough
- 28% worry the agent will underprice their home and leave money on the table
- 28% fear their agent won’t market their home effectively or attract enough buyers
- 25% are concerned the agent won’t be able to negotiate well on their behalf
- 22% are even worried the agent won’t be honest or trustworthy
Be ready to lay out for your sellers exactly how you, as the listing agent, are compensated along with exactly what you do for your clients to get their home sold at the highest possible price and keep delivering value year after year.
#10. The “Why Bother?” Mentality
For some homeowners, it’s not any one big fear; it’s a combination of all of the above.
When rates are high, buyers are cautious, and moving feels like a headache, the easiest option is often… nothing.
Why sell when you can refinance, remodel, or just ride it out? That “stay put” mindset is a growing reality in 2025, and it’s shaping housing inventory across the country.
The Bottom Line
As for what helps on-the-fence homeowners feel more confident about selling:
- 45% say it would help to have a home purchase already lined up
- 44% would be encouraged by having guaranteed offers or cash offers on their home
- 43% want guidance from a trusted real estate agent
- 37% say understanding all the selling costs upfront would go a long way
- 36% would love assistance with preparing their home for sale
- 29% want to understand the tax or financial implications of selling
- 23% say being pre-approved for a mortgage on their next home would improve their confidence
Key Details:
- New data from Clever Real Estate shows 91% of homeowners are delaying selling their homes in 2025, with 63% pointing to high mortgage rates as a top reason to stay put.
- Another 71% are worried about the cost of repairs needed to sell, while 60% fear they won’t get their desired price in today’s market.
- With 59% of potential sellers locked into a rate under 4%, many are opting to wait rather than trade up at a higher cost.
https://nowbam.com/top-10-seller-fears-every-agent-should-know-how-to-address/
Posted by Sarah Lentz | Mar 6, 2025 | Housing Market
@ChuckBarberini – #ChuckBarberiniRealEstate – @ChuckBarberiniRealEstate