The Emotional Rollercoaster of Selling Your Home

by Tom McNamara

If you’ve ever sold a home, or you’re getting ready to, you already know this: It’s not just paperwork and packing. It’s a grieving process no one really warns you about.

One minute you’re decluttering the garage. The next, you’re standing in the doorway of your kid’s old room, overwhelmed by memories that hit you like a wave — birthday parties, first days of school, Sunday morning pancakes.

And suddenly, it’s not just a transaction. It’s the end of an era.

Research actually ranks selling a home as the second most stressful life event — only behind divorce or breakups. And honestly? That checks out. You’re not just leaving a structure. You’re leaving a chapter of your life behind.

So what do you do with all that emotion?

You embrace it. You honor it. But then… you have to gently let go.

Some people write letters to the future homeowners. Others take family photos in the empty rooms before closing the door for the last time. I’ve even had clients ask to bring a little soil from their garden with them — a symbolic way to keep the roots while still growing something new.

There’s no wrong way to say goodbye. But here’s what I know: you do need to say it.

Because if you don’t create closure, your emotions can sneak into the decisions that follow — pricing too high because “it’s worth more to you,” rejecting fair offers out of pride, or second-guessing the entire move because you suddenly miss everything all at once.

Here's the truth: Your memories aren't in the drywall. They're in you.

That paint color you loved? That scratch on the hardwood from when your dog was a puppy? They’re real, and they mattered. But the value of those moments doesn’t disappear when the keys change hands.

I’ve walked hundreds of clients through this phase, and I’ll tell you something most agents don’t: It’s okay to cry in the driveway. It’s okay to feel heartbroken even when you're moving somewhere better. And it’s okay to carry one chapter with you as you start the next.

So if you’re preparing to sell, here’s my advice:

Take time to say goodbye — however that looks for you.
Let a friend or trusted advisor be your emotional anchor.
Keep one keepsake — a tile, a trim, a photo.
Start mentally decorating your next place. (Even picking a paint color helps.)
And remember… you’re not losing anything. You’re expanding your story.

If that feels hard, you’re not alone. And if you ever need someone to talk through it with — no pressure, no pitch — I’m here. I’ve seen both the tears and the triumphs, and I’d be honored to help guide you through it.

At the end of the day, we’re not just selling houses. We’re helping people close one chapter and begin the next — with clarity, compassion, and yes… maybe a tissue or two.

🎁 Free Bonus for You: I also put together the Sunshine State Handbook, a totally free, no-fluff guide that walks you through: