Why isn’t my house selling?

It’s a sellers’ market across many cities in the U.S. But what if your house in one of these areas is not getting any offers? There could be many reasons why your home isn’t selling. These are some of the most common reasons why a house fails to sell.  

• Are you over-confident?

  Your price for your home may be priced too high for the area that you are currently living in. Potential buyers will walk away if they believe that the price is off. Even though this is a sellers’ market, it does not mean that you can list for well-above asking. Supply and demand exist, and right now the demand is high, but the supply is not. People will not pay well above asking unless the amenities in the house show and show well. Solution: Look around your area and see what other people are listing for before you add a list price, and get an appraisal for your home. These two pieces of information can give you a starting point. If the appraisal comes in lower than what you want, then consider the next spending money and giving the house what people want and expect out of your price point.  

• Does the house needs some TLC?

  If your house’s appraised value comes in lower than other area homes, it may need some upgrading. Perhaps it just doesn’t show well. Is the wallpaper outdated? Paint peeling? Solution Consider investing some money in the house to increase the value. Kitchens and bathrooms are two places where you can get the highest return for your improvements.  

• Is there a problem with the title?

  If there is a problem with the title, buyers who would otherwise look at the home may get scared away. Some common problems include:

1. The title was switched over without a recording. This often happens if there was a will in place with the previous owner.
2. The house has been is paid off but is still showing that there is a mortgage on it.
3. A lien was filed for work done by a subcontractor.

  Solution Talk to your title company, and ask about getting these issues solved. While you are talking to the title company, ask if there are any other things that need to be handled.  

• Is it a good time to sell a house?

  Maybe you're trying to sell your house in the least attractive time of the year, when no one is likely to move. Solution Choose either spring or summer time to sell your house and see how quickly you'll find your perfect buyer!  

• Are marketing photos lackluster?

  If your photos are not as good as the others, or are unavailable, buyers will not take a second look. You should always have good photos available for potential buyers to see. Homes that have no photos often sit for long periods of time. Solution Hire someone to take pictures of your home after you get everything into shape. You want the pictures to show a nice house and the pictures are easy to see.  

• Does your real estate agent care enough?

  Some agents are just hard to like or are completely unavailable. If your agent has disappeared into a black hole, it’s time to look for another agent. Solution Call agents in your area and set up different days and times and, ask them to meet you for coffee and then interview them about their experience. If they pass your initial screening then have them meet you at your house so that they can take a look at your home.  

• Does your house smell bad?

  A house that smells bad is a hard sell. Pets, plumbing issues, cigarette smoke, moisture, and other factors can cause your home to have a lingering odor. If you have any questions about the smell, have someone trustworthy and honest come in and tell you if they smell anything. Take care of this immediately! Solution This is something that can be fixed by thoroughly cleaning, repainting, or replacing carpets. If the smell still penetrates through all of this, check your bathrooms and underneath the sinks and look for evidence of mold or mildew; if you spot any of these then this is something that will need attention ASAP. If you are not able to remove it at this time then reduce your asking price and, the house may need to be sold as one that needs work. Note: trying to sell a house with cigarette smoke to a non-smoker will be a hard sell.  

• Are your appliances old and outdated?

  Today’s buyers like stainless steel appliances, not the old ones of yesteryear like harvest gold or lime green. Potential buyers know that your old appliances can be replaced easily; however when they see that your refrigerator is from the 80s or 90s; they worry “what else do I need to replace?” Solution Buy new appliances. This is something that while expensive will certainly save you some headaches because the house will be move in ready. Contributed by James Link SetSchedule has changed the way real estate marketing is viewed, by changing the way REALTORS® access clients and listing appointments. SetSchedule is a “first of its’ kind” exclusive membership based model that provides verified appointments, marketing tools, and elite invite only networking events for its members. By blending new technologies, and thought processes with proven success methods SetSchedule had incurred record producing results unseen in the industry.