Here’s something every homeowner should know before selling: The sellers who win in today’s market aren’t the ones waiting it out — they’re the ones who prepare strategically from day one.

Many Tampa Bay homeowners this year didn’t get the outcome they wanted. Not because the market failed — but because expectations did.

Realtor.com reports 57% more homes were taken off the market this year compared to last year — meaning they listed, but didn’t sell. And most of those sellers missed the mark in just two areas:

1. Pricing
2. Timing

Here’s what you can learn from those missteps to avoid repeating them.

1. Price It Right from Day One

Pricing is the number one factor that determines whether a listing attracts buyers or gets overlooked. Today, 8 in 10 sellers expect to get their asking price or more — but expectations aren’t aligning with reality.

According to Redfin, only 1 in 4 sellers are actually getting above their list price.

A few years ago, you could price high and still get multiple offers. But today, Tampa Bay buyers have more options — especially in neighborhoods like Carrollwood, Citrus Park, Westchase, and South Tampa.

If your price feels even slightly high, buyers scroll past instantly.

According to HousingWire, the average price cut right now is just 4%. Many sellers list too high and pull their home off the market instead of making a small adjustment.

And here’s the part most sellers overlook: If you’ve owned your home for years, your equity gives you flexibility — you can price competitively and still come out far ahead.

2. Don’t Rush the Process

Many sellers enter the market expecting their home to sell in the first weekend. But in most markets — including Tampa Bay — that’s not realistic anymore.

Today’s average time from listing to closing is about 60 days, which is completely normal.

Many sellers compare today’s pace to the ultra-fast years of 2020–2021. But the market has normalized — and that’s healthy.

Buyers today are more intentional. They compare options, take their time, and make thoughtful decisions.

If your home doesn’t sell immediately, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong — it means the market is working normally.

To sell faster, talk to your agent about:

• Strategic pricing
• Professional staging
• High-quality photography
• Local buyer trends

Bottom Line

Selling your home in today’s market isn’t about waiting for perfect conditions — it's about starting with the right strategy.

The listings that didn’t sell weren’t doomed. They just started with the wrong expectations.

When you price correctly, stay patient, and work with a Tampa Bay expert, you can absolutely win in today’s market.