Homes That Sell vs. Homes That Sit: A Tale of Two Markets in Massachusetts

For years, it felt like sellers could name their price—and often get it.

But in 2025, that’s no longer a given.

According to a recent study by Clever Real Estate, 72% of future sellers believe they’ll get over asking. In reality, only 42% of recent sellers actually did. Even more telling: 43% of sellers ended up dropping their price, and delistings are up 47% year-over-year as some owners opt to pull their homes off the market altogether (source: Realtor.com).

But here’s the nuance:
We’re seeing two entirely different stories play out—often within the same town.

Take Hingham, for example: homes priced correctly and presented well are still selling quickly. In the past 90 days, homes in Hingham priced within 3% of their fair market value sold in a median of just 18 days—many with multiple offers. Meanwhile, properties that missed the mark on price or presentation lingered on the market for 45+ days, often followed by price drops or delistings.

This contrast isn’t unique to Hingham. On the South Shore, areas like Scituate and Cohasset continue to see strong buyer demand, but only for homes that show well and are priced competitively. On Cape Cod, turnkey beach homes in Orleans and Falmouth are still moving quickly, while those with deferred maintenance or aspirational pricing are sitting longer than expected. The same pattern is showing up in Boston’s urban neighborhoods—from Charlestown to South Boston to the Seaport.

It’s not that buyers have disappeared. It’s that they’re more discerning.

They’re comparing every property. Noticing every detail. And acting with more intention than we’ve seen in years.

In this market, success comes down to two things: strategic pricing and standout presentation. Until a home is priced for this market—not the one from two years ago—it may take longer than expected to sell.

At The Charles King Group, we specialize in identifying the right pricing strategy and marketing approach to attract serious buyers quickly—no matter the zip code.

Looking for a home that’s been sitting for no good reason?
We’re watching a handful of standout listings across Boston, the South Shore, and Cape Cod that are still on the market—despite checking all the boxes. If you’re searching for something specific or want to talk strategy as a seller, get in touch today.