In May, 56% of U.S. homes sold below their asking price, with the typical sale closing about $45,000 under list. Average Days on Market climbed to 58 — the longest stretch since mid-2023.
Industry voices say condition is playing a bigger role in buyer decisions. “Buyers will walk if the condition isn’t right,” said Ryan Lundquist of Sacramento Appraisal Blog, noting a “true hypersensitivity” toward cosmetic and functional issues in the current market. More sellers are addressing these concerns upfront: NAR’s latest Realtor Confidence Index shows an uptick in pre-listing prep, including painting, flooring replacement, and other visible updates.
The pressure is showing up in buyer preferences too: more than 56% of prospective buyers say purchasing a home that requires no repairs is very important, according to a Bright MLS national survey. And in markets like Austin, where home values surged during the pandemic, nearly 14% of recent sales closed at a loss, with condition cited as a key factor in which homes struggled most.
That matches what we’ve seen at Bluetape: requests for pre-listing updates—fresh paint, new carpet, lighting upgrades—have steadily increased in recent months as agents look to protect pricing power and shorten time on market.
This is why a strong pre-listing repair workflow goes a long way. If you want to strengthen yours, check out our Guide to Real Estate Repair Workflows.
