Are you struggling to sell your home? Do you think the offers should be rolling in by now? Are you wondering what’s wrong with your property? Don’t panic!
At BlueWest Properties, we know that selling a home can be challenging, but we’re here to help. We’ll tell you the top five possible reasons why your house won’t sell and what you can do to fix it.
5 Possible Reasons Why Your House Won’t Sell
Are you scratching your head and wondering, “Why isn’t my house selling?” It's good to know that one or a few things could be holding back a sale. We’ll break down what might be happening.
1. The Listing Price Is Too High
According to a HomeLight survey, overpriced homes ranked as the number one deal-breaker for potential buyers.
You likely chose your asking rate by looking at comparable sales in your neighborhood. But, the real estate market moves fast, so a price that may have been fair at first can quickly become overpriced due to market fluctuations.
Even during a hot market, pricing your home too aggressively high can cause people to overlook it. If you price it at market value, it can often lead to bidding wars – which is what you want!
The Solution: Drop the Price
If your home has been on the market for several weeks without progress, it’s time to drop the price. This might sound like the kiss of death to you, but in reality, price reductions are pretty common and sometimes necessary to attract buyers.
If buyers see that your home has been sitting on the market for an extended period, they might think something is wrong with it and get turned off. It’s crucial that you keep people interested.
Sometimes, offering concessions can sweeten the deal if you’re unwilling to drop your price. Seller concessions are what the seller agrees to pay for the buyer, such as closing costs, repairs, or inspection fees.
2. The Property Has a Bad Curb Appeal
There’s a common saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to real estate. How a home looks from the outside can have a major impact on attracting buyers.
According to a survey from the National Association of Realtors, 92% of real estate agents suggest improving a home’s curb appeal before selling.
Buyers can’t appreciate your excellent interior if they don’t reach the front door or get out of the car. An overgrown yard or rundown facade stops buyers in their tracks.
It’s hard to believe that paint, pressure washing, pine straw, and petunias can translate into thousands of dollars. But numbers don’t lie.
The Solution: Make Your Home’s Outside Appearance a Priority
Before listing a home for sale, take the extra effort to give its exterior a facelift. Some of the best things you can do include:
- Powerwash the siding
- Touch-up paint on the front door or window shutters
- Install new door hardware and house numbers
- Keep landscaping trimmed
- Replace the mailbox
- Build a fence
- Create a sitting area
- Illuminate the yard
- Add flowers, plants, and window boxes
The appearance of your “for sale” sign is crucial, too. Sure, most prospective buyers are searching online to find their dream home, but that doesn’t diminish the traditional yard sign. When people walk or drive by, you want to give them the best impression. If your sign is old or weathered down, people might think your house is, too.
Always ensure the sign is in good condition and looks brand-new. Also, list all the necessary information on it, including a phone number, website address, and agency. The home's address can be helpful, too. It can also be beneficial to offer flyers next to the sign so that people can take a closer look if they're interested.
3. You Have Poor Marketing
In today’s digital world, online marketing is everything. Prospective buyers are constantly scrolling on Zillow.com and local real estate agent’s social profiles and will almost always view your property online before seeing it in person. This is why you must ensure your listing is up-to-date and appealing to viewers.
The Solution: Give Your Listing a Facelift
Make sure that your listing description is detailed and accurate. Always showcase the home’s best assets – number of bedrooms, bathrooms, outdoor space, garage, basement, location, etc.
But don’t just list the basics. Get creative and use descriptive language that will paint a picture of what makes the home so special. What’s more intriguing? “3 beds” or “2 spacious bedrooms and one master suite with lots of natural light and high ceilings.” The answer is pretty obvious.
Some buyers care more about the photos than the description, so you must have aesthetically pleasing photography. Talk to your real estate agent about investing in professional photos. Or, they might be experienced in getting some good-quality images. After all, some iPhones now are just as good, if not better, than digital cameras.
Make sure to take the pictures during good weather so the images are bright and inviting. Also, tidy up the home first. It can be challenging for people to envision themselves living in a clutter-filled home.
Real estate agents might also suggest adding a video or a 3-D walkthrough so prospective buyers can truly imagine themselves in the home.
4. Your Home Has an Outdated Style
When potential buyers encounter an outdated home, their initial thoughts often revolve around extensive renovations. This can lead to the impression of a massive project with a substantial price tag, potentially deterring them from making an offer.
An outdated home can be a significant obstacle in the competitive real estate market, as buyers often look for modern, move-in-ready properties. This perception can decrease the home's appeal and market value, making it harder to sell quickly and at a desirable price.
The Solution: Make Simple and Cost-Effective Updates
To make your home more attractive to buyers without undertaking a complete renovation, consider making a few strategic updates that can significantly enhance its appeal:
- Update Fixtures and Hardware: Replacing outdated door handles, light fixtures, and cabinet knobs with modern alternatives can instantly refresh the look of your home. These small changes can make your home appear more contemporary and well-maintained.
- Paint the Walls: A fresh coat of neutral, modern colors can transform the appearance of your home. Painting is a relatively inexpensive update that can make rooms feel brighter, larger, and more inviting.
- Change the Flooring: Updating old or worn flooring can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your home. Whether you opt for new carpet, hardwood, or tile, modern flooring can elevate your home's style and make it more appealing to buyers.
5. Your Agent Isn’t Performing
In most cases, all the issues on this list can be avoided if you work with an experienced realtor. They’re the professionals in this field, so they should handle pricing, staging, curb appeal, marketing efforts, and more.
Choosing a real estate agent is an important decision. Rather than ending up with the first person you come into contact with or choosing a family friend, opt for an experienced agent who comes with references.
Also, it is best to hire a real estate agent who works full-time and has the time to prioritize your home. Many people take up real estate as a side hustle, but you want your future to be in the hands of someone who knows how important and fast-paced this business is.
The Solution: End It or Wait It Out
If the partnership with your agent isn't working out, the brokerage may agree to break the contract early. If you've had significant issues with your agent, be ready to back up your claim factually.
If you signed a contract and have to wait it out, do the best you can. Perhaps some of the issues are easy fixes, or there needs to be more communication.
Are you in the early stages of thinking about selling your home? Before you get started, hire the best real estate agent you can! Here at BlueWest Properties, we're a team of dedicated Realtors, and we pride ourselves on creating a seamless process from start to finish. Our motto is "It's all about you," and our purpose is to provide you with honest advice and high-quality service.
BlueWest Properties Is Here To Help!
Stop asking yourself, “Why isn’t my house selling?” and take action. At BlueWest Properties, our agents have experience selling all kinds of homes, and we can help create a strategy to sell yours for a price you're happy with. For more information, contact our team online.
