If you decided to take your house off the market in late 2024, you're definitely not alone. According to Newsweek, data from CoreLogic and the Wall Street Journal reveals that close to 73,000 homes were removed from the market in December alone. That's the highest number recorded for any December since 2017.

Many homeowners chose to take a break, whether it was due to a lack of incoming offers, the stress of the holiday season, or a hope that the market would pick up in the new year.

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to take another look at things. The market is already starting to heat up, and if you wait too long to dive back in, you could find yourself up against more competition from other sellers later on.

Why This Might Be the Perfect Moment

Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, notes that some sellers may have taken their listings off the market late last year, aiming to relist this spring.

““Another reason for a step back could be that sellers wanted to wait and see how spring home buying season goes, and if mortgage rates fall, which would bring more home buyers and competition back in the market.”
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— Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic

Spring is usually when buyer demand peaks each year. As the weather gets warmer, more people begin their home search. They’re looking to finalize a deal so they can move in during the summer. This creates a fantastic opportunity for sellers since there are typically more buyers in the market.

Mortgage rates haven't seen a big drop, but they've decreased a bit over the past few weeks. We're already noticing that buyers are starting to get more active because of this. Since January, we've seen a rise in demand, and that momentum is likely to keep building as spring approaches.

How to Approach Things Differently This Time

Check the status of your listing agreement first. Even if you've taken your listing down, you might still be under contract. Until your listing expires, your agent or brokerage can provide valuable guidance on what else you can do to sell it. Realtor.com suggests this approach.

““If you aren’t sure of the status of your listing, whether active, expired, or withdrawn, take a look at your listing agreement and talk to your real estate agent.”
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— Realtor.com

If your contract is still active, now is a great time to get in touch with your agent and discuss new strategies to sell your home. If your contract has expired and you're thinking about your next steps, consider reaching out to a reliable real estate professional who can guide you on what to do next.

Take a moment to think about your last experience. What stopped you from selling before? What steps can you take this time to increase your chances of success?

Include your agent in this conversation. They can offer an unbiased perspective and share advice on what might not have worked well previously.

• Rethinking Your Pricing Strategy: Was your home priced a bit too high, causing buyers to pass it up? Your real estate agent can help you take a fresh look at recent sales in your area to make sure you're setting the right price. Believe it or not, pricing too high could actually cost you in the long run. A well-priced home attracts more interest, increasing your chances of multiple offers and even a bidding war!

• Refreshing Your Marketing Strategy: Was your home showcased in the best possible light? Staging and high-quality photos can make a huge difference in how buyers perceive your home. If you didn’t use a professional photographer the first time, now might be the perfect opportunity. Even something as simple as updating your listing photos for the spring season can make your home feel more inviting and stand out from the competition!

• Sweetening the Deal: Were you open to offering buyers a little extra incentive? With more homes hitting the market, many sellers are using concessions—like covering closing costs or offering repair credits—to attract buyers and seal the deal. If that wasn’t something you considered before, it might be worth a second look!

• Making Showings Easy: Were there restrictions on when buyers could tour your home? The more flexible and accessible your home is, the more interest it will attract—and that can lead to more offers!

The Takeaway:

If your house didn’t sell last year, spring might be your opportunity to try again. With more buyers looking, now is a great time to connect with an agent and discuss a new approach to re-enter the market.

What would you like to change this time? Have a conversation with your agent to explore your options and create a plan.