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By Sarah Allen
Real estate coordinator and homeowner.
You’ve scrubbed the floors, packed away half your belongings, kept the kids’ toys hidden, and maybe even had a few heated debates about which things actually need to get done before listing (see our blog Selling My Home: Everything I Suddenly Feel the Need to Fix). Weeks, or months, of preparation, your home is finally on the market.
At first, it feels busy. You’re signing paperwork, watching your home appear online, and maybe rushing out for the first showings. But then, when the dust settles, something else sneaks in: the quiet. And in that quiet, you start thinking.
This isn’t just about showings and offers, it’s about leaving your home. The place where you celebrated birthdays, painted walls, or planted gardens. Even if you’re moving on to something bigger, better, or more practical, there’s always a moment where it hits you: “We’re really leaving.”
The first wave of buyers is usually the strongest, these are the ones who’ve been waiting for something just like your home. That’s why your listing gets the most activity early on. It’s exciting, but it can also make you anxious when strangers start walking through your rooms.
Practical Tip: Instead of worrying about every detail, focus on keeping communication open with your agent. Ask them to explain what kind of interest is typical in those first few days so you’re not left guessing.
Keeping your home “show-ready” is hard. You’re still living there, but you’re asked to live like you don’t. Beds always made, dishes always away, shoes always lined up. It can feel exhausting and strangely like you’re already letting go.
Practical Tip: Keep a tote or laundry basket handy to do a quick sweep before each showing. Toss in toys, mail, or clutter, and take it with you when you leave the house.
Hearing what buyers think about your home can sting. Someone will say the kitchen is dated, or that the rooms feel small. But someone else will love the exact same features. Your home has always been about more than countertops and paint colours, and the right buyer will see that. Trust your agent to filter feedback into useful takeaways, not emotional landmines.
Practical Tip: When feedback comes in, ask your agent to explain what it means for your sale. Sometimes a small adjustment — like improving lighting or decluttering one room — can address concerns, while other comments are just personal preference and best ignored.
When an offer comes in, it’s natural to zoom in on the number. But every offer carries something deeper: it’s a buyer saying, “I can picture my life here.” That moment is both validating and bittersweet. Your home isn’t just selling, it’s passing into new hands that will make their own memories there.
Practical Tip: Beyond the price, ask your agent to walk you through terms like closing dates, conditions, and deposit strength. Sometimes flexibility or certainty can matter just as much as the number
Some homes sell in days. Others take weeks. In the waiting, doubts creep in: Did we price it right? Should I have fixed that one thing? These thoughts are normal. Remember, selling isn’t just about numbers, it’s about timing. The right buyer sometimes needs a little longer to find you.
Practical Tip: Set small routines to manage the waiting. Schedule weekly check-ins with your agent and keep yourself busy with packing tasks so you feel productive instead of stuck.
This is where value meets emotion. You need updates, context, and sometimes reassurance. A good agent keeps you in the loop, answers questions honestly, and helps manage expectations when your emotions are running high. You don’t have to go through this part alone; communication is your lifeline.
Practical Tip: Agree on a communication plan. Some sellers want updates after every showing, others prefer a weekly summary. Setting expectations up front reduces stress for both you and your agent.
Listing your home is both an ending and a beginning. The busy part, staging, photos and paperwork is behind you. What comes next is a mix of waiting, hoping, and processing the reality that you’re moving on.
Your home is out there now, telling its story to buyers. And while you wait, it’s okay to feel both excited and a little sad. Because selling a home isn’t just about a transaction, it’s about a transition.
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