I’m a Real Estate Agent: These 4 Types of Homes Are Hardest To Sell
Written by
J. Arky
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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This year has been a tough one financially, with unknowns continuing to swirl around tariffs, and experts still unsure if a recession is on the horizon. Last time a recession hit, the housing market was devastated. This time around, homes might take another blow, with a few certain kinds proving difficult to find buyers.
“The start of 2025 saw a slowdown in residential home sales, driven largely by high interest rates, a volatile market, soaring home prices and a new political regime,” explained Zachary Gotlib, Esq., licensed real estate attorney with Gotlib Law Offices. “Nonetheless, the last few months have seen an uptick in deals and as the spring heats up, we expect this to continue. Despite this, it is clear that it remains a seller’s market.”
GOBankingRates reached out to Gotlib and other real estate experts to find out the four homes that will be hardest to sell.
McMansions
Those big cookie-cutter homes in the suburbs are not going to move quickly or easily right now, according to Donovan Reynolds, Georgia real estate agent for Redfin.
“Oversized homes with dated finishes and choppy floor plans are struggling, especially those built in the early 2000s,” Reynolds said. “In our age of inflation people are prioritizing energy efficiency, location and quality instead.”
Home Builds
Homebuilders are currently sitting on a plethora of unsold homes and those are going to be difficult to move, according to Gotlib.
“When rates were low and the COVID-19 pandemic drew buyers to suburban areas, homebuilders were on a tear, trying to build to meet the increasing demand of those looking to move out of urban centers,” Gotlib explained.
“Unfortunately, as rates continued to tick up, the pace of sales for new homes slowed dramatically,” Gotlib added. “This left an excess inventory which now requires homebuilders to discount prices and offer incentives to lure buyers.”
Condos
In particular, condos that come with special assessments and high homeowner association (HOA) fees are likely to not be hot on the real estate market this year.
“With rising insurance premiums and maintenance costs, buyers are wary of getting stuck with a monthly bill that rivals a mortgage,” Reynolds said. He added that, aside from those condos with fees, “motivated sellers” seem to be attached to a lot of condo listings right now.
Luxury Homes
To be clear: luxury homes will probably do so-so on the market overall in 2025, except for the ones that lack distinctive appeal-they are likely to bite the dust when it comes to being for sale.
“The luxury market is cooling and buyers at that level want uniqueness, views or lifestyle,” Reynolds explained. “Generic high-end homes — even in great neighborhoods — are starting to sit unless they’re well marketed or priced well below replacement cost.”
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