Selling your home is a big decision and sometimes there are changes to your plans. Maybe the market isn’t doing the way you wanted it to. Maybe life threw a curveball at you. Or maybe you just have an idea.
Whatever the reason, it’s not uncommon to wonder: can you remove your home from the market? The short answer is yes. However, there are a few important things to consider before you make your move.
In this article:
How does that affect the online presence of my property?
Can I temporarily move my home away from the market?
What happens if I receive an offer during the decision?
Is it a bad idea to let my house go from the market?
Can I sell my house outside the market?
When should you remove your home from the market?
Are you temporarily removing your home from the market?
Yes, as a homeowner, you can always keep your home away from the market unless you already have a contract with a buyer. If your home is actively listed, you are usually free to remove it from the market every time you choose.
Most of the time, the house is yours until the final paper is signed. This means controlling whether or not you will continue selling. However, if you are working with an agent, your listing agreement may have guidelines or provisions that outline how and when this occurs. You may need to provide written notice or give a warning for a certain number of days before the list is officially cancelled or withdrawn.
Please make sure you are registering temporarily or permanently. Discussing options with a real estate agent will help you clarify the next step and avoid misunderstanding.
Read >> Should I sell my house now?
Why take your home from the market
There is no reason for the seller to choose to leave their homes out of the market. Sometimes there’s a mix of timing, emotions and practical needs. Here are some circumstances in which it makes sense to take your home away from the market:
Old list
In May 2025, the median market was 38 days. If your home is listed without much interest in the 60-90, it may be a sign that timing, or pricing is off. Rather than keeping it stagnant, you may choose to revisit pricing and strategies. It opens the door to fresh interest from a variety of buyers.
This is especially useful in the market for buyers where there is high competition and the offer may not be as close to what you want. Waiting for a more lucrative market will help you attract more attention later.
Unexpected personal changes
Life doesn’t always follow plans. Job transfers, health issues, relationship changes, or family needs can quickly change your priorities. At these moments, putting a sale on hold may be the most responsible move.
Changes in the heart
Selling a house can stir emotions, especially if you’re still thinking about where to go next. Some sellers realize they are not ready to leave or have not found a new place to meet their needs.
House improvement
If your home isn’t selling, remove it from the market and work on some renovations to boost its appeal. Focus on a strong return on investment update as you are still planning to sell. Your ROI depends on the cost of the upgrade, the current value of your home, and how many buyers are willing to pay once improvements are made. Check out the area’s comp and get a good idea of which upgrades are helping you sell your home.
Alternatively, if the buyer is retreating due to physical issues in your home, it often makes sense to move your home away from the market and make the necessary repairs before relisting.
Private sale opportunities
Sometimes buyers come outside the public listing process. In this case, you can choose to delete the MLS list and work directly with that individual.
Discuss your options with your real estate agent and check the contract in place to understand your obligations and meaning.
Seasonal timing
The real estate market tends to slow down at certain times of the year. If you are selling in the middle of winter or during the local offseason, you can decide to wait for a more active purchase window.
Your Agent
Sometimes the problem is not a home or a market, but an agent. If communication feels inconsistent, your home is not sold properly, or your concerns are not addressed, you may decide to pause the list and reevaluate your expression.
Is there a fee to keep my house away from the market?
In many cases, there is no direct fee to keep your home away from the market, especially if you haven’t received the offer or are withdrawing from the late period. However, even if you have a contract with a listing agent and you are back early, you can still rent a fee or committee depending on your contract.
If agents are already investing time and money in marketing, professional photography, staging, or open houses, they may expect to be compensated for their efforts.
When you draw a listing, it may be more harmful than good
You can remove your home from the market, but it’s not always the best choice, especially if you’re about to sell it again in the near future. There have been several times when pulling a listing might work against you:
Too many start and stops
If you list your home multiple times and discontinue it, buyers may wonder what’s going on behind the scenes. Even if the reason is valid, it can create a sense of uncertainty.
Your home is approaching receiving an offer
If a steady interest, show, or buyer is asking questions, drawing the list may mean missing an offer. Even if it’s not the price of your dreams, it could get you closer to what you wanted or provide valuable feedback.
You are under pressure to sell
If you rely on this sale to avoid moving to work, carrying two mortgages, or funding your next purchase, delaying the process can add stress and financial burden.
It will damage your online list history
When a house is removed from the market, its listing history does not disappear. Future buyers and agents can see when it was listed, how long they sat, and whether it was relisted at a different price. The patterns of listing and redirection can give the impression that sellers are difficult or that there is a problem with the property.
It’s already late season
Waiting until “better timing” may seem like a good idea, but late seasons like midwinter or low periods of buyer activity can actually work in your favor if your home is one of the few available.
With less competition, serious buyers are more likely to focus on your property. Drawing a list during a quiet season may mean losing motivated buyers who are still actively searching despite the lull of the season.
How to temporarily separate your home from the market
If your home is listed with a real estate agent, you probably have signed a listing agreement. This document outlines the conditions of the relationship, including how long a property will appear on the market and what happens when you change your mind. Before you draw the list, consider the following a bit
Check the contract period: is it a 3-month, 6-month or a long agreement? If you try to cancel early, you will need to be notified in writing or include a fee. Talk to your agent: A good agent can introduce you to your options and help you avoid penalties. Ask about terms of withdrawal: Some contracts include provisions regarding early termination, so it is important to understand liability.
FAQ: Can you remove your home from the market?
1. How does that affect the online presence of my property?
Online list history is still visible. This means that if you relist the property later, people can see it was previously on the market. This can raise questions about what happened, even if the suspension was for a completely reasonable cause, but that could still affect the perception of the buyer.
2. Can I temporarily move my home away from the market?
Yes, in many cases, temporarily removing your home from the market is an option. This approach is often used when a seller needs to pause the list without canceling it completely. This will prevent your listing from appearing actively in search results and will allow you to go back when you are ideally prepared with improved positioning and clearer planning.
3.What happens if I receive an offer during the decision?
Once the offer is submitted, a negotiation process will be triggered and the response will be important. You can still refuse or refute the offer, but if you have already entered into a formal agreement and the parties have signed the agreement, withdrawal from the sale could be accompanied by financial penalties, legal risks, or even a possibility of litigation.
4. Is it a bad idea to let my house go from the market?
Taking your home away from the market is not an inherently bad idea. If your situation changes, or if the market is not meeting your goals, retreat gives you time to reorganize and restructure more strategically. Conversations with agents can help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages based on your specific needs and current real estate situation.
5. Can I sell my house outside the market?
Yes, you can sell your home outside the market. Out-of-market sales are often made through word of mouth, private networks, or direct outreach from interested buyers. This approach provides more privacy and reduces pressure, but it also may limit the pool of potential buyers. Even if you are considering selling outside the market, we recommend that you consult a real estate professional who will help you evaluate your offers and handle your documents properly.
6. When should you remove your home from the market?
Despite price/marketing adjustments, if your home has not been listed with interest for a while, your revaluation may expire. Low buyer engagement and personal changes can mean a good wait. Keep your home away from the market when sales no longer align with your priorities, goals, or market. Consult your agent, review feedback and assess your preparation for your decision.
