How a Government Shutdown Affects the Twin Cities Real Estate Market for Sellers

by Sandy Erickson Real Estate Team

How the Current Government Shutdown Is Affecting the Twin Cities Real Estate Market for Sellers

How is the current government shutdown affecting you if you’re planning to sell a home in the Twin Cities?

With the government now in the midst of the longest shutdown in U.S. history, it’s natural to wonder how this impacts your plans to sell. The good news: even during an active shutdown, the Twin Cities real estate market continues to move. While some buyers may experience delays, your ability to list, market, and secure a strong offer is still very much intact.

What This Shutdown Actually Means for the Housing Market

A government shutdown doesn’t freeze the housing market. Instead, it disrupts certain federal operations that lenders rely on behind the scenes. That can include income verification, processing certain types of loans, and other administrative steps that require federal staffing.

But buyers, sellers, lenders, agents, and title companies in the Twin Cities are still actively doing business. Homes are still coming on the market. Buyers are still shopping. Offers are still being made.

So while you might hear dramatic headlines, the actual impact is closer to a slowdown for some buyers—not a shutdown of your ability to sell.

How the Shutdown Is Affecting Buyers Right Now

The biggest ripple effect of this ongoing shutdown shows up on the buyer side. Some buyers may:

Face delays if their loan requires federal income or employment verification
Need extra time for underwriting or document checks
Pause temporarily due to uncertainty around the news cycle

These challenges don’t eliminate buyers—they simply slow the process for certain loan types. Serious Twin Cities buyers who need to move are still moving; some just need an additional couple of days or weeks to navigate the loan process.

What This Active Shutdown Means for You as a Twin Cities Home Seller

Even with the shutdown ongoing, strong opportunities remain for sellers—especially when you understand what to expect and how to position your home strategically.

Here’s what matters most right now:

Pricing strategically so your home stands out clearly in today’s changing conditions
Appealing to the most motivated buyers who are still actively searching despite the headlines
Building flexibility into your timeline in case a buyer’s loan requires extra verification

The Sandy Erickson Real Estate Team stays in close communication with lenders, title partners, and other professionals so you always know what delays—if any—could impact buyers in real time.

How to Move Forward Confidently During the Shutdown

You don’t need to wait for the government to reopen to prepare, list, or even sell your home. Instead, you can take steps that put you in a strong position:

Review your pricing strategy to align with the Twin Cities real estate market
Understand which buyers are most active and how to attract them
Prepare your home for market with strong photos, staging, and marketing
Plan for possible delays so nothing catches you off guard during negotiations

With the right plan, you can navigate the shutdown smoothly and stay on track with your move.

The Bottom Line for Twin Cities Sellers

The current government shutdown may be long and unpredictable, but it doesn’t put your selling plans on hold. The Twin Cities real estate market remains active, and with the right guidance, you can still market your home effectively, attract qualified buyers, and move forward on your timeline.

Let’s Talk About Your Selling Plans

If you’re unsure how this might affect your plans, or just want to make sense of what’s happening, let’s connect. The Sandy Erickson Real Estate Team is here to help you understand exactly how the shutdown impacts today’s market so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

How a Government Shutdown Affects the Twin Cities Real Estate Market for Sellers

by Sandy Erickson Real Estate Team

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