5 Signs Your Seller Is Ready To Move—Even if They Dont Know It Yet

By Elisa Wilcox and Tom White | Pinnacle Realty Group

Pinnacle Realty Group, led by Tom White and Elisa Wilcox, ranks in the top 1% of real estate teams in San Antonio. This dedicated team is driven to serve with excellence, integrity, and heart, delivering results and exceptional experiences for every client.

If you have been in real estate for any length of time, you have likely heard sellers say this more times than you can count, “I want to wait until the market gets better.” It’s an understandable sentiment, but it can hold sellers back from making important life decisions. That’s why we and our sellers should always remember that the market doesn’t care about their lives.

In most cases, their life is already telling them that it’s time to move on. However, most fail to fully recognize these signs. This is where we come in: it’s our responsibility to help them see that life timing matters far more than market timing. Here are a few common patterns I have noticed that are worth discussing with your clients:

1. They’re emotionally detached. Your client might be browsing listings late at night, daydreaming about a different layout, or casually saying things like, “I can’t wait to be out.” This goes beyond mere curiosity—these are clear signs that they are ready to make a change. It’s important not to let them ignore these feelings and instead help them see this readiness as an opportunity.

2. The home no longer fits their lifestyle. Clients may not say it outright, but their daily frustrations tell the story: too many stairs, cramped spaces, outdated layouts, or rooms that no longer serve their needs. As their agent, it’s your role to help them connect these clues and understand that it might be time to move on.

3. The maintenance is draining them. When clients are constantly dealing with repairs, maintaining a yard they rarely use, or losing weekends to upkeep, it takes a toll on their time, energy, and finances. This burden often becomes the push they need to consider a change. You can help them see that staying put may no longer be worth the cost.

4. They’re frozen by market headlines. Most clients get stuck waiting for interest rates to drop, prices to peak, or the “perfect” moment to list. However, life does not pause for market fluctuations. It’s essential to remind your clients that perfect timing is a myth, and their personal timing should take priority over market conditions.

5. There’s a life change already happening. Major life events such as divorce, relocation, children moving out, or a growing family often motivate a move. These significant changes aren’t caused by the market, nor will the market resolve them. Your job is to help clients face these transitions with clarity and confidence.

If you have a seller who is hesitant and waiting for an idealized “perfect” moment to list, it’s time to refocus their attention on what truly matters—their life. Because, at the end of the day, the market doesn’t care about your client’s life, but we do. If you need any assistance with your sellers, feel free to call me at 210-940-0708 or send an email to Tom@TomWhiteGroup.com. I’m here to help.