Here’s a stat every potential home seller should pay attention to:
Fifty-seven percent more homes have been pulled off the market this year compared to the same time last year.

That number has made a lot of sellers nervous. It has sparked rumors, fed headlines, and caused some homeowners to assume something must be wrong with the housing market.

But here’s the truth.
Nothing is “wrong” with the market.
Something was wrong with seller expectations.

In 2025, many homeowners entered the market expecting the fast, frenzied conditions of the pandemic years — the bidding wars, the instant offers, and the fast closings. They believed their home would sell in days with little preparation and a sky-high price tag.

That is not the market we’re in anymore.

And because so many sellers priced too high or gave up too quickly, they pulled their homes off the MLS long before the market rejected them. The issue wasn’t the market. It was the approach.

This guide breaks down exactly what happened, why it matters, and what today’s East County sellers need to do differently if they want real results.

Why So Many Homes Were Withdrawn This Year

A 57 percent spike in withdrawn listings tells a story. But it’s not the story most sellers expect.

1. Many sellers overpriced their homes

After years of rapid appreciation, many homeowners believed their property was worth more than the market supported. Instead of adjusting based on current data, they listed too high — and buyers simply skipped over the home.

2. Sellers expected immediate offers

Homes that don’t sell in the first weekend are not “failing.” They’re moving at a normal pace. But sellers who expected instant action often pulled their listing prematurely when showings were slower than they hoped.

3. The market normalized, and sellers didn’t

The pandemic years were the exception, not the rule. Homes now move at a healthier, more balanced pace. But sellers who didn’t adjust to that shift became frustrated.

4. Poor preparation and weak presentation hurt results

Buyers today are pickier. Many withdrawn homes lacked simple updates, strong marketing, or professional photography.

5. Unrealistic expectations about pricing and concessions

Some sellers weren’t prepared for today’s negotiation style, where buyers ask for repairs, credits, or flexibility — all normal in a balanced market.

None of these factors point to a weak market. They point to a mismatch between strategy and conditions.

What This Actually Means for Today’s Sellers

The rise in withdrawn listings does not mean homes aren’t selling. In fact, across Jamul, Rancho San Diego, La Mesa, and Alpine, homes are selling — and selling well — when they are positioned strategically.

The homes that succeed today are:

• Priced correctly from the start
• Prepared and polished before hitting the market
• Marketed professionally with strong photos, video, and digital reach
• Represented by an expert local agent who understands micro-market trends

The homes that sit are the ones relying on outdated expectations.

Why Pricing Is the Real Difference Between “Sold” and “Stale”

Pricing in today’s East County market requires precision. Buyers know what comparable homes are worth. They study listings closely. They scroll endlessly. And they instantly recognize overpriced homes.

When a listing is priced too high:

• Buyers ignore it
• Showings slow down
• Online activity drops
• Offers don’t appear
• Days on market stack up
• Perception declines
• Negotiating power shifts away from the seller

Most homes that were pulled off the market in 2025 weren’t bad homes — they were simply mispriced.

Why Preparation Matters So Much More Today

More homes on the market means your home must stand out.

That starts before the first showing. Sellers who prep wisely win. Sellers who skip steps struggle.

High-ROI preparation includes:

• Light staging
• Fresh paint
• Carpet cleaning
• Updated lighting
• Deep cleaning
• Landscaping refresh
• Minor repairs
• Decluttering

Today’s buyers expect care. Condition is no longer negotiable. Presentation influences everything — online views, showing activity, and final sales price.

The Homes That Are Selling Well Right Now

Across East County San Diego, certain categories of homes are performing extremely well:

1. Homes priced correctly from day one

Buyers respond quickly to listings that align with market reality.

2. Move-in ready homes

Updated, clean, neutral homes attract the strongest interest.

3. Homes with strong digital marketing

Drone footage, video tours, and lifestyle-focused photography make buyers fall in love before they even schedule a showing.

4. Homes represented by hyper-local agents

Agents who know Jamul’s acreage patterns, Rancho San Diego’s neighborhoods, La Mesa’s walkability zones, and Alpine’s hillside properties price more accurately — and consistently produce faster sales.

These homes are not sitting. They’re selling.

Why Today’s Market Still Favors Sellers — When They Use the Right Strategy

Many homeowners assume the rise in withdrawn listings is a negative sign. But it actually confirms something important:

Today’s market rewards strategy, not luck.

Buyers aren’t panicked or desperate. They’re thoughtful. They’re selective. And they’re comparison-shopping more carefully than before.

When your home is:

• Positioned well
• Priced realistically
• Prepared correctly
• Beautifully marketed

…buyers respond.

What Sellers Need To Do Differently in 2025 and 2026

If you plan to sell, here’s how to avoid becoming part of the 57 percent who withdrew their homes.

1. Price based on the market we’re in, not the market you remember

Use fresh data, not emotion.

2. Prep before you list

Today’s buyers reward homes that feel move-in ready.

3. Commit to strong marketing

Professional photos and video aren’t optional. They’re essential.

4. Give your listing enough time

Homes take longer to sell in a normal market. That’s not failure — it’s reality.

5. Work with a local expert who knows East County

A hyper-local strategy always outperforms a generic one.

The Bottom Line: Homes Are Selling — Just Not the Way They Used To

A 57 percent increase in withdrawn listings doesn’t signal a broken market.
It signals a market where strategy matters more than ever.

The homes that are:

• Priced right
• Prepared well
• Marketed powerfully
• Guided by the right agent

…are selling, often faster and at stronger prices than sellers expect.

If you’re planning to move this year or next, the key is simple: align with today’s market, not yesterday’s.