Selling Your Co-op or Condo? A Root Canal Is Less Stressful

Forget about seller's remorse. The real killer when it comes to unloading a co-op or condo apartment in New York City is seller's stress, according to a new StreetEasy survey conducted by The Harris Poll. The survey found that recent home sellers in New York City are more likely to be stressed about putting their home on the market (79%) than they are about other life events such as planning a wedding (76%), finding a job (70%) or even everybody's favorite pastime, getting a root canal (65%).

What’s toughest about selling? According to the survey, the most common challenges for recent sellers include the negotiation process (45%), figuring out their home’s value (43%) and finding a listing agent they trust (42%).

“Selling a home is unlike selling any other asset; it’s complicated, personal and emotional,” says Nick Smith-George, StreetEasy’s senior director of growth strategy and operations.

Adds StreetEasy's Carlo Romero: “Choosing the right agent is one of the most important decisions for a seller to make. Many sellers rely on the recommendation of a friend or family member to find an agent, but oftentimes, they don’t have the specific expertise that the seller needs." 

In fact, when asked about their biggest regrets, 1 in 4 recent New York City sellers regretted listing their home at an asking price lower than they needed to, and nearly 1 in 5 (19%) regretted working with an agent they didn’t like.