What’s stressing home sellers the most?

Zillow research identifies the things that cause the most concern

What’s stressing home sellers the most?

Selling a home can be a stressful experience, as detailed in a new report.

The Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trend Report has revealed that 95% of home sellers found at least some aspect of the selling process stressful but it’s not the most obvious elements that create the most concern.

Uncertainties top the list. Specifically, those around timing and finances, things that sellers are unable to control.

More than half of respondents said that not knowing if their home will sell within a desired timescale (56%) is the biggest stressor followed by concerns about selling for the right price (53%) or an offer falling through (52%).

Exacerbating these concerns is that sellers are often juggling selling their home with buying a new one; 64% said this was true in their situation and 51% said the concurrent selling and buying experience was stressful.

"The two most stressful questions when selling a home – what price it will sell for, and how long it will take – are top of mind from the very beginning of the home selling process and can have a big financial impact," said Skylar Olson, director of economic research at Zillow. "Those outcomes could ultimately be the difference between retiring now or six months later or having to pay a new mortgage and rent in a temporary home.”