New research on selling property found that more than 1 in 3 people who sold a property in the past two years admitted to crying at some point in the process.

Whether it was the pressure, the nostalgia, or the sheer relief when the deal was done, it’s clear that selling a home can strike a surprisingly emotional chord.

The survey, commissioned by real estate marketplace OpenAgent, revealed that the experience was often just as difficult as, if not harder than, other major life events like having a baby, going through a breakup, or even losing a job.

More emotional than expected

The survey, which involved 344 recent sellers across the country, explored how emotionally taxing the sales process can be.

Nearly 60% said selling a property was as stressful, or even more stressful, than having a baby. Almost half compared it to going through a breakup or losing a job. And three in four said it rivalled the intensity of planning a wedding.

It seems that while we often focus on the stress of buying or financing a home, we’re overlooking how challenging it can be to sell.

A deeply personal decision

For Sydney mum Bridget Dijkmans-Hadley, the tears came when the first offer landed.

“I burst out crying because this is our home our little ones have grown up in, but also so relieved that we'd had that help and that it was over,” said Dijkmans-Hadley.

She used OpenAgent to compare agents and find someone she trusted, a step that she says made the process more manageable.

Regrets? Sellers have a few

The survey also looked at what people would have done differently, given the chance. And the number one regret? Not choosing a better agent — something 15% of respondents owned up to.

Other top regrets included not asking for a higher sale price and wishing they’d waited for better market conditions.

Johanna Urrutia, Co-CEO of OpenAgent, says this lines up with what her team hears every day.

“The top concerns we hear from sellers are around pricing the property correctly, making sure it’s presented well, and choosing the right agent,” said Urrutia.

“While choosing the right agent can alleviate stress throughout the process, selling a home can still come with a lot of ups and downs, especially for those who have an attachment to the home they're selling.”

How to make selling less painful

While the process might be tough, experts say it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A bit of preparation and the right support can go a long way.

“Tears are common in the selling journey — but with the right agent, they don’t have to come from regret,” said Urrutia.

That could mean comparing agents before you commit, setting realistic expectations about the market, or leaning on professional guidance when emotions run high.

Because at the end of the day, selling a home will probably always stir up some feelings. But with the right plan in place, it doesn’t have to leave you in tears.

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Methodology:

OpenAgent surveyed 344 Australians who sold a property in the past 24 months via a combination of online panel and email invitations during February–May 2025. Questions explored the stress, emotions and potential regrets involved in selling a home. The study was designed and analysed in‑house by OpenAgent.

About OpenAgent:

OpenAgent has been helping Australians buy, sell and own property since 2012. Best known for our agent comparison tools and property insights, the free resources on our website were used by over 2.1 million Australians in the past year.