Relocating: Still Trying to Sell Your Old Home? Practical Steps to Take

When you’re already in a new city but your old home is still on the market, it can feel like you’re living two lives—and paying for both. This guide gives you practical, realistic steps to lower stress, protect your finances, and keep your family grounded while you wait for that “Sold” sign to go up.

Relocating: Still Trying to Sell Your Old Home? Practical Steps to Take

1. Get Clear On Your Actual Relocating Situation

Before you make big decisions, you need a true picture of where things stand.

• List out your monthly costs tied to the old home (mortgage or rent, utilities, insurance, condo fees, taxes, maintenance).

• Compare that to your income and new‑city costs so you can see how long you can comfortably carry both.

• Ask your real estate agent for honest feedback: Is the issue price, condition, marketing, or simply a slow market?

Clarity won’t fix everything, but it replaces vague fear with concrete numbers and timelines you can plan around.

2. Have A Direct Conversation With Your Employer

Many employees assume nothing more can be done once the relocation is underway—but support often exists that no one has explained clearly.

• Ask for a simple, non‑jargon explanation of your relocation benefits: temporary housing, closing‑cost help, home‑sale support, time off for appointments, or access to relocation specialists.

• If your benefits aren’t clear, request a short meeting with HR or the mobility contact to walk through your options step by step.

• Be honest (but professional) about the stress you are carrying; sometimes small flexibilities (adjusted start times, a few “relocation admin” hours) can significantly reduce pressure.

You’re not asking for special treatment; you’re asking how to use a program that already exists to make the move sustainable.

3. Work With Your Agent On A Strategy, Not Just A Listing

If your home has been sitting with little interest, it may be time to reset.

• Review feedback from showings: Are buyers consistently mentioning the same issues (price, condition, layout, neighbourhood perception)?

• Decide what’s easier and cheaper: adjusting the price, making targeted improvements, or offering incentives (e.g., closing‑cost help, flexible possession date).

• Revisit your pricing strategy with current comparables—not just what homes sold for six months ago. Markets shift quickly.

Your goal is not to win the perfect price; it is to get to a fair, clean sale so your family can move out of limbo.

4. Put Boundaries Around Home‑Sale Tasks

When you’re in two markets at once, it’s easy for the old home to dominate every day.

• Time‑block “house admin” windows (for calls, emails, and decisions) instead of responding instantly to every message.

• Batch appointments—inspections, repairs, appraisals—into as few days as possible.

• If you are in a different time zone, agree with your agent on when it is okay to call and when it should wait.

Boundaries don’t slow down your sale; they protect your energy so you can function in your new role and life.

5. Protect Your Family’s Sense Of Stability

Even if your home hasn’t sold, your family still needs to feel anchored somewhere.

• Make at least one aspect of life “fixed” in the new city: the kids’ school, a community activity, a faith community, or a favourite weekly routine.

• Talk openly with your partner (and age‑appropriate kids) about what you can control now and what you’re waiting on.

• Limit “house talk” to certain times so every evening doesn’t turn into a financial strategy meeting.

Stability is not only about owning or selling a property; it’s about having predictable routines and a sense of belonging.

6. Decide What “Good Enough” Looks Like

Holding out for a perfect scenario can keep you stuck for months.

Consider ahead of time:

• What is the minimum net amount you need from the sale to move forward without putting your household at risk?

• How long are you realistically willing (and able) to carry both places?

• At what point would you be willing to adjust price, rent the property, or explore other options?

Having these thresholds written down helps you make decisions under stress instead of reacting emotionally to every offer.

7. When To Ask For More Help

If you feel like you’ve tried everything and are still overwhelmed:

• Go back to HR or your relocation contact and explain what has changed since the move began (market shifts, failed offers, new financial strain).

• Ask whether there is flexibility in your package (extended temporary housing, additional support, or connection to a relocation specialist).

• Consider getting financial advice specific to your situation so you can see all your options clearly (sell now, rent, bridge financing, etc.).

Advocating for yourself is part of protecting your long‑term stability—not just surviving this one transition.

If you are relocating and still trying to sell your old home, you are not behind and you are not alone. With clear information, honest conversations, and some practical boundaries, you can move from “constant crisis” toward a more stable path through the rest of your move.

Want Clarity, guidance and more than conversations about your home? Reach out to Us at info@ahomrealty.com