Mahoney Knows Homes: 2026 Home Selling Trends

What You Should Do to Maximize Your Sale

With increasing inventory and more competition across Cheatham County and the greater Nashville area, sellers for the first time in years are facing a market that has expectations.

Gone are the days where you could stick a sign in the yard and have multiple offers by the weekend. In 2026, buyers have options. They’re selective. And they’re patient.

Pricing still plays one of the heaviest influences in your market performance, but what else can you do to maximize the sale of your home and attract as many buyers as possible this year?

Here’s what’s working right now.

1. Price for Attention — Not Ego

The first 14 days on market matter more than anything.

That’s when your listing gets the most exposure, the most alerts, and the most serious buyer traffic. If you miss that window by pricing too high, you don’t “leave room to negotiate,” you leave room to be ignored.

In 2026, the market rewards accuracy. It punishes optimism.

The strongest sellers are the ones who price strategically from day one.

2. Paint: The Simplest, Highest-ROI Upgrade

A fresh coat of paint can completely change the way a home feels.

Clean, neutral tones immediately signal that a home is well cared for. It photographs better. It shows brighter. And it reduces one more mental “project” for a buyer.

In a competitive market, perception matters. Paint is one of the most affordable ways to improve it.

3. Fix the Boring Stuff

Buyers in today’s market are cautious. Interest rates are higher than they were a few years ago, and buyers don’t want surprise expenses.

That means:

• HVAC systems in working order
• Roof with life left in it
• Windows that open properly
• No visible crawlspace moisture issues

The cosmetic updates are great, but mechanical confidence closes deals.

4. Curb Appeal Is a Multiplier

Before buyers ever step inside, they’ve already formed an opinion.

Fresh mulch, pressure washing, trimmed landscaping, updated hardware, and even a freshly painted front door can dramatically change first impressions.

Sometimes a $1,000 investment outside protects $10,000 in negotiation leverage inside.

5. Declutter and Define the Space

More buyers are working from home. They’re looking for flexible spaces for home offices, workout areas and functional outdoor living.

Clear rooms. Remove excess furniture. Let buyers visualize how the space works for their lifestyle.

Light, layout and flow matter more than ever.

The Bottom Line

The market has “normalized.”

In Kingston Springs and surrounding areas, we’re seeing buyers take their time and sellers compete more than they have in several years. The sellers who win in 2026 are not the ones chasing yesterday’s market, they’re the ones adapting to today’s buyer.

Preparation, pricing and presentation are everything.

If you’re considering selling this year and want to know exactly what your home would need, I’m always happy to have that conversation.

Because in this market, strategy matters.