A new national survey from Realtor.com reveals that 81% of potential home sellers believe they will receive their asking price or more this year, signaling strong confidence in the 2025 spring housing market. Despite persistent affordability concerns and high mortgage rates, 70% of those surveyed think it’s a good time to sell.
“Spring is historically the best time to sell, and this year, sellers are entering the season with high expectations,” said Laura Eddy, Vice President of Research and Insights at Realtor.com. “Our survey found that many potential sellers feel confident they'll not only sell quickly but also receive top dollar for their home. Despite their optimism, our survey suggests that potential sellers — especially those who have been waiting to sell for a year or more — still feel locked in due to interest rates.”
The survey, released today, highlights both optimism and the economic forces influencing seller behavior. While a majority (79%) are selling out of necessity — citing reasons such as needing more or less space, changing family circumstances, or job relocations — the top reason for selling remains a desire for a different community, noted by 46% of respondents.
Among the motivations for selling:
- 34% need more space
- 25% are downsizing
- 21% are moving for family reasons
- 18% are influenced by life events such as marriage or divorce
- 15% are relocating for work
- 10% can no longer afford their current homes
Confidence Amid Constraints
In addition to pricing optimism, 75% of potential sellers believe their homes will sell within the average time frame or faster, and 63% expect to avoid significant concessions during the sales process.
Preparation is already underway for many. Nearly all respondents (96%) have taken some step toward selling. The most common actions include checking home value (71%) and researching neighborhood prices (61%). About 38% have made home improvements, ranging from cosmetic touch-ups to major renovations like kitchens or bathrooms.
Of those who made improvements:
- 70% made light updates such as painting or landscaping
- 65% addressed issues that could arise during inspection
- 59% undertook major projects
Concrete steps toward listing are also on the rise, with 36% having contacted a real estate agent, 27% completing a home inspection, and 22% already listing their property.
“With the best time to sell approaching, sellers are optimistic and with a still-sizable nationwide housing shortage, there's good reason to be,” said Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com. “Our research shows that the housing supply gap would take 7.5 years to close nationwide and much longer in some regions. At the same time, we've seen pronounced shifts in financial markets as the economy adjusts to new policies. It's always a good idea to work with an expert, and this is even more true at a time when housing markets are evolving to reflect broader economic conditions.”
Mortgage Rates Still Holding Some Back
While optimism is high, nearly two-thirds (61%) of respondents have been contemplating a sale for over a year, with 46% saying they've been considering it for one to two years. Mortgage rates are a clear roadblock. Half of those with a mortgage feel “locked in” by their current rate, a figure that rises to 55% for sellers who’ve been waiting over a year.
Expectations around interest rates are playing a significant role in shaping plans. Of those who believe rates will rise, 43% say that possibility makes them more likely to sell, while 20% say it would make them less likely. Conversely, 69% of those expecting rates to fall say that would increase their likelihood of listing.
Regional Sentiment Varies
Optimism also varies by region. Sellers in the Northeast are most likely to see this as a good time to sell (80%), followed by the West (72%), South (69%), and Midwest (65%). Sellers in the West are more confident they’ll get above asking price compared to other regions.
According to Realtor.com data, the Northeast remains the most undersupplied region, with slow growth in new and active listings — factors likely fueling strong seller sentiment there.
