The moment your home goes live online is a big one. Your photos are up, your listing description is polished, and your property is officially ready for buyers to start booking showings.
It’s exciting. It’s nerve-wracking. And it can feel like chaos if you’re not prepared for what comes next.
Let’s walk through what actually happens once your home hits the market, and why flexibility, communication, and strategy matter more than ever during this stage.
Showings Begin, and Your Flexibility Matters
Once your home is active in the MLS, scheduling platforms immediately begin sending you notifications whenever an agent requests a showing. Most buyers’ agents schedule digitally, which means:
• Requests can come at any time
• You’ll receive them instantly
• They may be last-minute or unpredictable
This is where sellers sometimes feel the first wave of stress. Suddenly your phone is pinging, and you’re juggling work, or kids/pets, and laundry, all while keeping your home show-ready.
Here’s the truth: the more showings you allow, the faster your home sells.
Every showing is an opportunity. Every buyer walking through the door is a possibility.
Does this mean you have to say yes to every single request? Of course not. Life happens. But staying flexible, especially in the first two weeks, dramatically increases your exposure and momentum.
Think of it like opening a shop for business. If the doors are locked every time customers show up, they stop trying.
Offers Start Rolling In.
Your agent is legally required to present every offer that comes in, even the ones that feel unrealistic, insulting, or wildly off-base. So when you receive an offer that makes you say:
“What is THIS?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Are they kidding?”
Please remember: Don’t shoot the messenger.
Your agent isn’t agreeing with the offer.
Your agent isn’t endorsing it.
Your agent isn’t expecting you to take it.
We’re simply fulfilling our fiduciary duty to you, presenting all options so you can confidently choose the path forward. And sometimes those “bad” offers spark conversations that lead to better ones. Negotiation is rarely a straight line.
Why Experience Matters Most During This Phase
Once showings begin and offers start coming in, you’ll quickly learn that no two deals are ever the same. Real estate is part strategy, part psychology, part timing, part market dynamics and part pure human unpredictability.
This is where hiring an experienced agent matters.
Experience isn’t just about years in the industry. It’s about having seen enough deals, personalities, lender situations, inspection issues, and negotiation patterns to know what levers to pull…and when.
An experienced agent can help you assess:
• Which offer structure benefits you most
• How to create leverage in a shifting market
• When to stand firm and when to adjust
• Whether to request buyer concessions instead of lowering price
• How to strategically respond without losing momentum
And that brings us to one of the most powerful tools that sellers often overlook…
Price Reduction vs. Buyer Concessions – Understanding the Strategy Behind the Numbers
Most sellers instinctively jump to one strategy when activity slows: “Should I lower the price?”
Sometimes, yes. A strategic price repositioning can be the right move. But other times, there’s a better option: buyer concessions.
Imagine this scenario:
A buyer needs a lower monthly payment to feel comfortable moving forward. A price reduction helps a little…But a rate buy-down helps a lot.
By offering a concession, the buyer can reduce their interest rate, which lowers their monthly payment far more significantly than a small price cut would. And your bottom-line net stays similar (not exact since broker compensations are often based on sales price). It’s a win-win when used correctly.
This is just one example out of a hundred strategic levers your agent can explain during negotiations. Great agents don’t default to the obvious solution. They look at the entire playing field and recommend the move that positions you best.
The Emotional Roller Coaster (It’s Normal)
Selling a home is emotional. Not just for you, but for the buyers too.
There will be moments when you feel hopeful.
Moments you feel frustrated.
Moments you feel confused, irritated, or impatient.
The key is remembering that: You’re not navigating this alone. Every message, showing request, offer, and counteroffer has a purpose even when the purpose isn’t immediately obvious. Your agent’s job is to keep the big picture in focus, protect your interests, and guide the decision-making with clarity so you’re never operating out of panic or pressure.
Client Testimonial
“Ashley was informative and prompt throughout every step of the process. She provided excellent guidance and was always prompt, and a pleasure to work with. By far the best experience we have had buying/selling a house thus far.”
— Cole Armuth
What Sellers Need to Know During Showings & Offers
1. Do I have to approve every showing?
No, but more showings lead to stronger results. The first two weeks are critical for momentum.
2. Why do I receive low or unrealistic offers?
Buyers try and test the waters. Your agent will guide you on which offers have potential and which don’t.
3. Why must my agent present every offer?
It’s a fiduciary duty. Even if an offer is clearly not a fit, it must be presented to you.
4. What’s better — lowering the price or offering concessions?
It depends on the buyer’s needs and the market.
5. How long should I expect this stage to last?
Market conditions vary, but most activity happens in the first 14–21 days. Proper pricing and presentation maximize your exposure.
Ready to Navigate the Market With Strategy, Clarity, and Confidence?
At the HART Realty Team, we don’t just list homes – we guide, strategize, and support you from the first showing to the final signature. If you’re preparing to sell and want an agent who understands:
✔ The market
✔ The psychology
✔ The strategy
✔ The negotiations
✔ The process
✔ The emotions
…you’re in the right place. Visit HART Realty Team or message @AshleyHartRealtor to get started.
