If you have been thinking about selling your home but keep waiting for the “perfect moment,” you are not alone. Many homeowners in Jamul, Rancho San Diego, La Mesa, and throughout East County San Diego put off selling longer than they intended. Life gets busy, the market feels uncertain, and the idea of preparing a home for sale can feel overwhelming.

But a recent national survey uncovered something important.
Seventy-nine percent of homeowners regret waiting to sell.

That is a powerful number.
Not just because it is high, but because it reflects a very real emotional and financial truth: delaying a move almost always comes with consequences.

If you have been holding off, consider this your sign that it may be time to take the next step. You do not want “I wish I sold sooner” to become part of your story.

This guide explains why so many homeowners regret waiting, what delays really cost, and how you can take action with clarity, confidence, and strategy.

Why Do So Many Homeowners Regret Waiting?

Selling a home is emotional. It is also one of the biggest financial decisions many people ever make. When you put those two realities together, hesitation makes sense. But hesitation often leads to regret because the market moves faster than most people expect.

Here are the top reasons nearly eight out of ten sellers say they waited too long.

1. They missed their ideal market window

Real estate is always shifting. Interest rates rise or fall, buyer demand changes, and inventory levels fluctuate. Many sellers look back and realize they should have listed when conditions were stronger but assumed better days were ahead.

2. Their home needed more work than they expected

Almost every seller underestimates how much time it takes to prepare a home for sale. Small projects turn into big projects, and big projects create delays. By the time the home finally hits the market, conditions may have already changed.

3. Life circumstances changed unexpectedly

Many sellers regret waiting because their move became urgent later. Family situations, job changes, aging parents, health issues, and financial pressures can make “someday” become “now,” whether you feel ready or not.

4. Competition increased

When inventory increases, your home faces more competition. Many homeowners regret not listing earlier when fewer homes were available.

5. They overestimated appreciation

Not every year brings rapid price growth. Some homeowners wait for the market to “go up” without realizing that stagnation or small declines are more normal than double-digit spikes.

6. They underestimated carrying costs

Mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance add up. Waiting often costs more than selling.

7. They missed out on a better lifestyle sooner

Many homeowners regret not moving earlier because they missed years of living where they truly wanted to be, whether closer to family, in a single-story home, or somewhere easier to maintain.

In short, waiting feels safe in the moment. But for the majority of sellers, it comes with more regret than reward.

The Market Has Shifted, and Waiting Today Could Cost You

The last few years conditioned homeowners to believe the market will always be in their favor. But conditions are far more balanced today, and buyers have more choices than they have had in years.

This means:

• Pricing must be precise
• Presentation must be strong
• Days on market matter more
• The quality of your agent and marketing plan impacts your result

If you have been waiting because you assumed values would keep rising, now is the time to reassess. Markets do not reward hesitation. They reward preparation and timing.

The Cost of Waiting is Higher Than Most Sellers Realize

Many homeowners think, “I’ll wait a little longer. It won’t hurt.”
But waiting often has a real financial cost.

Here are the most common ways homeowners lose money when they delay.

Lost equity

If the market softens even slightly, the impact on your net proceeds can be significant.

Rising interest rates

Higher rates can shrink your buyer pool and affect your home’s value.

More competition

When more homes hit the market, buyers have more choices and less urgency.

Deferred maintenance

Small issues today become bigger issues tomorrow. Those repairs do not go away, and buyers notice.

Missed relocation opportunities

If your next move requires timing, waiting can complicate your ability to secure your next home.

Carrying costs

Every additional year of mortgage, insurance, taxes, and utilities adds up.

What feels like “playing it safe” often costs more than selling with intention.

The Sellers Who Win Today Understand One Thing

The market we are in right now is not the one we saw a few years ago. Successful sellers are the ones who recognize this shift and act accordingly. They prepare early, price realistically, and work with the right agent to stand out from the competition.

If you want to sell at a strong price, you must plan for the market we have now, not the one we used to have.

Signs It Might Be Time to Sell Sooner Than Later

Here are some indicators that your timing may be better now than later.

You are outgrowing your home

More space or a better layout could improve your quality of life.

You want to downsize

Single-story living, lower maintenance, or lower monthly expenses might be calling your name.

Your home needs repairs

The longer you wait, the more costly they become.

Your equity is strong

Many East County homeowners have substantial equity. That is an opportunity worth protecting.

You no longer use the space you are paying for

Empty rooms cost money. So does unnecessary square footage.

You want to relocate

Whether it is to another part of San Diego or another state entirely, timing is everything.

You are thinking, “maybe next year”

If the thought is there, your timing signal may already be here.

The Emotional Side of Waiting to Sell

Selling a home is not just financial. It is deeply personal. It represents memories, milestones, identity, and comfort. That emotional attachment often makes waiting feel easier than taking the first step.

But almost every homeowner who regrets waiting says the same thing:

“I wish I started sooner. I would already be living my next chapter.”

If the idea of selling keeps resurfacing, your heart may already be ready even if your mind is still catching up.

How to Know if You Should Sell Now

Here are clear questions to help you decide:

• Does your home still fit your lifestyle?
• Would selling now allow you to improve your quality of life?
• Are you delaying because of fear or uncertainty?
• Could waiting introduce new challenges?
• Would selling sooner simplify your future?

If several answers lean toward “yes,” now is the time to start planning, even if you do not list immediately.

The Benefit of Acting Before Regret Sets In

Sellers who take action before they feel completely ready often end up feeling grateful later. They avoid the stress of rushing, selling under pressure, or competing in a tougher market.

Acting early gives you the advantage of:

• Clear planning
• Predictable timing
• Stronger pricing strategy
• More control over your next move
• Better negotiation leverage
• Less emotional stress
• More time to prepare your home the right way

And most importantly, you avoid becoming part of that 79 percent statistic.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

If you live in Jamul, Rancho San Diego, La Mesa, Alpine, or anywhere in East County San Diego, you deserve to move with clarity instead of fear. Selling your home is a major decision, but it does not have to feel overwhelming.

With the right plan, the right preparation, and the right agent guiding you, the process becomes manageable and even exciting.

You are not just selling a house. You are stepping into the next chapter of your life. And waiting too long can hold you back from the lifestyle you truly want.

If You Have Been Waiting, Consider This Your Sign

Seventy-nine percent of homeowners wish they sold sooner. You do not have to be part of that group.

If selling has even crossed your mind, let’s talk. I can walk you through today’s market conditions, help you plan your timeline, and show you exactly what to expect so you can make a confident decision.

You deserve a move that feels intentional, strategic, and supported from start to finish.