The Hidden Time Cost of Selling Your Home

For most homeowners, selling a home feels less like a straightforward transaction and more like taking on a second job. A job that doesn’t just demand your money but also your most precious resource: time. In fact, according to recent data, selling a home can consume over a third of your waking hours, turning your life upside down. 

So, if you’re wondering how to sell a home without sacrificing your personal time (or sanity), keep reading. 

The "Home Move Tax" 

We all know time is valuable. Between work, family, and personal commitments, there just aren't enough hours in the day. Opendoor surveyed 1,000 recent home buyers and sellers to understand the true cost of time—of “Home Move Tax”—lost during the traditional real estate process. Here's what they found:

• 71% of Americans say selling a home feels like a second job. This isn't surprising when you consider everything involved, from cleaning and staging to repairs and showings.
• Employed buyers and sellers are losing PTO and work time. The report estimates that Americans lose over $430 million in missed work time just preparing their homes to sell.
• Quiet moving is on the rise. 13% of respondents admitted to taking time off work, without their employer knowing, to deal with moving tasks.

Selling a home can also take a toll on your well-being, with 85% of sellers reporting they lost sleep worrying about the sale. Here’s what kept them up at night:

• Offer falling through: 41%
• Saying “bye” to my home: 37%
• Offer acceptance: 36%
• Home prep for listing: 36%
• Leaving memories behind: 32%
• Managing repairs: 32%

How to Save Time (and Stress) 

Every moment you spend on the home-selling process is a moment you could be spending elsewhere—on your career, with your family, or just taking a breather in a world that already feels too fast-paced. Recognizing the hidden time costs of selling your home allows you to make more informed decisions. 

And that’s why working with the right real estate professional is so important. Think of them as your project manager, advocate, and guide rolled into one. They handle the heavy lifting—from setting a competitive price and staging your home to coordinating showings, managing negotiations, and navigating the mountain of paperwork.

Part of my process working with sellers includes creating a plan of action that outlines the most important projects to focus on to maximize the return and minimize the time spent on the market and reduce the chance of a buyer backing out.  I also provide my clients with references to vendors who can help tackle any projects if needed.

But beyond these tangible tasks, real estate professionals offer something even more valuable: peace of mind. By tapping into local market knowledge, extensive networks, and experience, they can streamline the entire process, helping you avoid common pitfalls that consume time and energy. This means fewer sleepless nights worrying about the next step, and more time for what matters.