February 2026 Newsletter-Thinking About Selling in 2026? Why Starting Early Gives You an Edge

💡Talk about the value + strategy in the work that is done upfront to get a home ready for the market.

Thinking About Selling in 2026? Why Starting Early Gives You an Edge

If you’re thinking about selling your home in 2026, one of the smartest moves you can make is starting the process long before you list.

Here’s why.

In 2025, we saw a dramatic shift in buyers. They became more cautious, selective, and pickier than we’ve seen in years. That caution showed up in a surprising way: a record number of home sales fell through before closing.

According to national market data, roughly 30% of homes that went under contract in 2025 terminated before closing — the highest share in recent history.

To put that in perspective, the average had been only about 3–5% of all contracts.

Why did so many deals fail?

• Buyers got cold feet amid economic uncertainty

• Appraisal and inspection surprises killed momentum

• Financing hiccups cropped up

• Buyers found another home and walked away

This trend sent a clear message: buyers are on high alert, and they won’t move forward if anything feels risky or unclear.

That’s where early preparation becomes a powerful advantage.

The Difference Early Prep Makes

Many sellers wait until their home is under contract and a buyer has their inspections to learn what problems exist. That reactive approach often leads to:

• last-minute repair negotiations

• unexpected renegotiations

• delays or cancellations

• lower net sale proceeds

But when you act before you list, you shift control back to you — the seller.

One of our most effective strategies is recommending a pre-listing home inspection.
We advise sellers to have a professional inspection done before the home hits the market. This gives you:

✔ Clarity on what buyers will see
✔ Time to make repairs on your terms
✔ A documented inspection to share with buyers upfront
✔ Confidence in pricing and marketing strategy

Taking care of issues proactively is almost always less expensive and less stressful than reacting to them later — especially when a contract is already signed, and everyone’s emotions are running high.

Buyers Appreciate Certainty

When buyers see a home with an inspection completed and repairs taken care of:

• They feel more comfortable writing strong offers

• They’re less likely to use repair findings as leverage

• They’re more confident that the home is a good investment

That certainty can be the difference between a smooth sale and a deal that falls through.

Planning Ahead Isn’t Just Smart — It’s Strategic

Selling your home in 2026 doesn’t mean you have to wait until spring to start thinking about it.
By beginning the process early, you give yourself time to:

• understand your home’s condition

• address issues on your timeline

• plan a marketing strategy that attracts the right buyers

• price with confidence and context

And most importantly, you reduce the chances that a buyer backs out because of something that could have been prevented.

If you want to talk through a plan — from inspection to timeline to pricing — we’re here to help when you’re ready.