From Thrill to Chill: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Selling a Home

By Gwen Daubenmeyer

Gwen Daubenmeyer is the founder of our team. She brings an unwavering commitment to her clients and a get-it-done attitude. Gwen is unapologetically competitive. Marketing and negotiation are her Olympic events; if she could medal, she would. While winning is her “what,” her clients are her “why.”

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may be feeling excited and uneasy at the same time. That’s normal. Selling a home is a big step. It often means change, progress, and a new chapter. But many sellers are caught off guard by how emotional the process can be. Today, I want to walk you through what selling a home really feels like, so you can feel prepared and confident as you move forward.

Motivated start. When you first decide to sell, everything feels possible. You might be upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or simply ready for something new. This stage is full of energy. You start imagining your future and what life will look like after the move. That excitement is real, and it matters. It helps you take the first step. Just know that this “high” feeling is only the beginning.

Preparation. After the excitement comes the work, like cleaning, patching, and painting. Every unfinished project suddenly feels urgent. You open boxes you have not touched in years and find old cards, school projects, and memories you forgot about. This part can feel heavy because it is not just physical work. It is emotional work too.

The best way to move through this stage is to see it as a reset. Donate what you can. Recycle what you should. Toss what is only taking up space. Letting go now makes the next chapter easier. You are not losing memories. You are choosing what you carry forward.

Listing day nerves. Once everything is ready and your home goes live, it gets real fast. The sign goes in the yard. Photos are online. Buyers can walk through your space. Pride and nerves often show up together. Will people like it? Will it get showings? Will they open closets? Yes, they will. Feeling exposed at this stage is common and completely normal.

Showings, feedback, and the drop. The first showing request brings a rush of excitement. Then feedback starts coming in. One buyer loves the kitchen. Another does not like the floors. Someone says they smell a pet, even if you do not have one. Feedback can feel personal, even when it is not.

Offers can be even harder. Low offers sting. Strange terms frustrate. And when the right offer finally arrives, many sellers feel sadness. That surprises people. Selling a home often means saying goodbye to a chapter of life, not just accepting a price.

Why does expert guidance matter? All of these emotions are part of the process. Joy, stress, frustration, nostalgia, and excitement all belong here. This is why my job is not just about pricing, marketing, or negotiating. My role is to help you stay grounded when emotions run high and help you see the full picture when decisions matter most. You deserve clear guidance during every step.

Selling a home comes with many moving parts and a wide range of emotions, but knowing what to expect can make the process much easier to manage. When you understand each stage, you can make decisions with more confidence and less stress. Whether you are just starting to think about selling or you are ready to take the next step, having the right guidance matters. If you have questions about selling your home or want to talk through your options, feel free to call or text me at 248-850-2575 or email hey@theintegrityteam.com. I am here to help you get clear answers and a plan that fits your goals, so you can move forward feeling informed, supported, and ready for what comes next.