The housing market is in a strange place. Mortgage rates are elevated, inventory is tight, and most homeowners aren't sure what to make of it all. Our latest insights report, based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. homeowners conducted in March 2026, takes a close look at how neighbors are approaching home selling today and what's driving their decisions.
Here's what we found.
The market mood is cautious, not pessimistic
Most neighbors aren't writing off the idea of selling. They're just not sure yet. Forty-two percent describe current conditions as neither a good nor a bad time to sell, with 26% calling it a good time and 18% a bad time. The hesitation is less about the market itself and more about everything that comes with selling: affording the next home, finding available inventory, and getting a property ready to list. These aren't small concerns, and they reflect just how much selling has become about the full transition rather than a single transaction.
A meaningful share of homeowners are still planning to move
Despite that uncertainty, about one in four neighbors say they're likely to sell within the next two years. The motivations behind those plans are largely personal. Wanting to live in a different area tops the list at 42%, followed by needing more space (38%) and moving closer to family (37%). Nearly half of prospective sellers expect to buy another home immediately after selling, which means they're thinking about two transactions at once.
The selling path isn't one-size-fits-all
Traditional listing with a real estate agent remains the default, with 58% of homeowners saying they'd start there. But interest in direct cash offer services is growing. Seventy-seven percent of neighbors are at least somewhat familiar with iBuying, and 61% say they'd consider using one. That's 18 points higher than the general homeowner population. The appeal is mostly about control and convenience: selling without repairs (45%), a less time-consuming process (38%), and the ability to choose a move-out timeline (37%). The main barriers are concerns about getting a lower offer than the open market and uncertainty about pricing and fees.
Timing matters for reaching homeowners
Home selling conversations on Nextdoor spike in spring and early summer, based on five years of internal platform data. That's when homeowners are actively researching, comparing options, and preparing to list. For real estate brands, that window is now.
Want to explore the complete findings? This summary highlights key insights from our research, but there's much more to discover. For the full report with detailed data, additional audience segments, and strategic recommendations for your campaigns, reach out to Jacob Chavis, Customer Analytics & Insights Manager, at jchavis@nextdoor.com. Our team can help you apply these insights to reach high-intent neighbors at the moments that matter most.
