A new national survey on selling property has found that 1 in 3 Australians cried during the process, whether it be out of pressure or relief.
The emotional toll of selling rivals life’s biggest challenges with many comparing it to divorce, losing a job or even becoming a parent.
The research, commissioned by real estate marketplace OpenAgent, found that among Australians who had sold a property within the last 24 months, almost 60% found selling a property as stressful or more stressful than having a baby.
Nearly half of those surveyed said the experience was as tough as going through a breakup or losing your job.
To date, OpenAgent has recommended agents to almost 400,000 sellers across Australia based on factors such as recent sales performance, local area experience and historical track record.
“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 Johanna Urrutia, Co-CEO of OpenAgent.
“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.”
Bridget Dijkmans-Hadley, a recent seller who used OpenAgent to compare and find a top agent, said she burst into tears when the first offer came in.
“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.
Not choosing a better real estate agent was the biggest regret among sellers — a mistake 15% admitted to.
Other top regrets included not setting a higher asking price and wishing they had waited for a better time to sell.
“Tears are common in the selling journey — but with the right agent, they don’t have to come from regret,” said Urrutia.
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.
Key Facts:
- 1 in 3 Australians cried during the selling process
- 3 in 5 say it’s at least as hard as having a baby
- Property sellers’ #1 regret: Choosing the wrong agent
About us:
About OpenAgent:
OpenAgent has been helping Australians buy, sell and own property since 2012. Best known for our agent comparison tools and property insights, our free services were used by over 2.1 million Australians in the past year.
Contact details:
Laura Tien
e: [email protected]
p: 0433214095