By Sarah Huard, REALTOR® | Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty

If you’re thinking about selling your home in Rhode Island—or in nearby Southeastern Massachusetts—here’s something important to know:

The sellers who win in today’s market aren’t the ones waiting on the sidelines. They’re the ones who adapt from the start.

This year, a number of homeowners didn’t get the outcomes they hoped for. But it wasn’t because the market was “off.”
It’s because their expectations were.

Nationwide, Realtor.com reports 57% more homes were pulled off the market compared to last year—meaning they listed but didn’t sell. I see the same patterns here in Rhode Island, especially among sellers who weren’t guided with clarity or strategy from day one.

As someone who has already closed 30 transactions this year, representing over $23 million in sales volume, I have my hands—and my heart—deep in the market every single day. That level of activity provides a real-time pulse on buyer behavior, pricing shifts, neighborhood trends, and what truly drives offers in today’s landscape.

And the truth is simple: the listings that stalled this year almost always came down to price and timing.
Both are entirely fixable—with the right strategy.

Here’s what you need to know so you don’t fall into the traps that derailed so many other sellers.

1. Price It Right from Day One

Pricing is the single biggest driver of a successful sale.

Today, 8 in 10 sellers expect to get their asking price or more, yet only 1 in 4 actually do (Redfin). Why?
Because many are still anchored to 2021 expectations.

What’s happening in Rhode Island right now?

Across Barrington, Bristol, Warren, Providence, East Providence, Cumberland, Tiverton, and more, buyers are:

• More selective

• More informed

• Less willing to pursue an overpriced home

Inventory has increased just enough to give buyers choices—meaning the “list high and wait” strategy simply doesn’t work anymore.

HousingWire notes the average price reduction nationally is just 4%.
But many RI sellers listed even higher, panicked when demand didn’t materialize immediately, and took their homes off the market instead of making that small, strategic adjustment.

Had they priced correctly from day one—or adjusted early—they likely would have sold.

What my volume means for your sale

With over $23M in closed volume this year, I’m in living rooms, at inspections, analyzing comps, and negotiating offers across the state weekly.
I know exactly how buyers are responding at each price point because I’m in the field every day—not watching from afar.

Smart, data-backed pricing isn’t about going lower.
It’s about positioning your home to command strong attention and protect your equity.

2. Don’t Rush the Process

The second major misconception:
Expecting your home to sell instantly.

Many sellers still remember the lightning-fast pace of 2020–2021. But that was an anomaly.

Today, a normalized RI market looks like:

• 30–60 days from list to accepted offer

• Steady, intentional buyer activity

• Thoughtful decision-making, not frenzy

It feels slower only because we’re comparing it to a once-in-a-lifetime market.

Think of it as shifting from 70 mph to 35 mph—you’re moving at the right speed for the conditions, even if it feels different.

Where the Huard Hustle makes the difference

If you want your home to sell efficiently and competitively, strategy matters more than ever:

• Comprehensive pre-listing prep (a cornerstone of my service)

• Staging and styling that meets today’s buyer expectations

• Magazine-quality photography + video

• Precision pricing grounded in hyperlocal data

• Hands-on, proactive guidance from an agent deeply active across all RI price points

With 30 successful closings so far this year, I’ve seen firsthand:
The homes that sold quickly weren’t just beautiful—they were positioned right.

Bottom Line

The listings that didn’t sell this year weren’t doomed.
They simply started with the wrong expectations and strategy.

In today’s Rhode Island and Southeastern MA markets, success comes from:

• Strategic, data-backed pricing

• Patience and understanding of today’s timeline

• Partnering with a local agent with depth, experience, and relentless advocacy

With 30 transactions and over $23 million in volume this year, I bring unmatched market insight—and the Huard Hustle—to ensure your home is positioned to win from day one.

You can succeed in this market.
You just need the right plan—and the right partner.

Thinking about selling?
Let’s talk value, timing, and strategy. I’d be honored to guide you.