You’ll never guess how many people cry when selling their home

I'm not crying. You're crying.

If you are planning to buy or sell your home, you may want to go ahead and stock up on tissues now. According to a new study by Zillow Research, 36 percent of Americans have cried during the home-buying process. And we’re not just talking about tearing up a little when packing up the old nursery either. Apparently one in five people confess to shedding bitter tears five times or more. Gulp.

“If you’ve ever sold a home before, you know how daunting the process can be,” says Zillow brand president Jeremy Wacksman. “Anticipating that stress can be a huge obstacle that keeps homeowners from moving on to the next stage of their lives. Our survey found more Americans were stressed over selling their home than planning a wedding, getting fired or becoming a parent.”

Of course, stress may well be driving a lot of these crying jags. Zillow’s research shows that 61 percent of sellers are buying a new home while selling their old one, so that means there are two transactions to fret about. According to the survey, 70 percent of folks got stressed out by uncertainty over the sale price, while 69 percent were worried their home wouldn’t sell in time. Also, 65 percent were anxious that an offer would fall through and 65 percent were concerned about fixing up their home for sale.

There are so many things that can go wrong, from the market going soft to the buyer or seller pulling out, that many find the uncertainty of the whole process overwhelming. For the record, millennials and parents are more likely to tear up than others, the report says.

Sellers can take steps to help simplify the process, note Zillow experts. Their tips include preparing your home for sale early and then being very strategic on when to hit the market. Homes sold in the first half of May, the company says, sell six days faster and for $1,600 more than the average listing.

They also advise paying a lot of attention curb appeal online.  High-resolution photography is your friend in the age of glossy house porn. Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate.  Zillow research finds 83 percent of sellers end up making trade-offs with buyers. The most common concession is throwing in some appliances when making the final deal.