02 Aug What to Do If Your Home Isn’t Selling
When you first place your home up for sale, you can have back to back showings in those opening weeks. However, it seems the longer your property sits on the market, the more likely it is you’ll need to slash your price to garner new attention. Here are a few ways you can take the reins and get your sale back on track:
Actually lower the price.
Many sellers overprice their homes for fear of underpricing it. This could be you. Take a mindful look at comps and make sure your price is set within a reasonable range of those comps. If you do decide to lower your price, try to shave off at least 2% so that the price reduction is enticing enough to attract some attention. For the same reason, one large price cut is better than a series of small ones.
Research the fix.
You’ve probably taken care of any eye sores or major functional issues around your property, but what if there is something you’re not seeing?
If you have a lot of foot traffic, but aren’t seeing any legitimate action on your home, you may want to start asking for feedback and looking for patterns. Keep a list of what potential buyers are noting about your home and then tackle the most talked about issues.
Now you can use that fix to bring back some potential buyers you may have lost before the renovation. Take before-and-after photos and post them all over social media and any of the listing websites you’re using.
Cleanliness is key.
You probably cleaned up prior to getting your home on the market, but can you make it sparkle? Take a good look around and clean all nooks and crannies you can find.
If you have been keeping a pet in your home, consider letting fido have a campout or a sleepover while you have showings. It’s best if pets can stay with a friend or family member, but if that’s not an option, keep them outside for as many showings as you can. (Make sure the conditions are dog friendly). Now just keep the inside of your home spic and span to reduce odor, and you’ll have a better shot at selling.
Spruce up a bit.
Redecorate, repaint, or rearrange. Focus on the curb appeal and “entry appeal” (what a prospective buyer sees when they open your front door). Consider a new furniture arrangement, being mindful of what makes an entry room look best vs. how it’s arranged now to be functional for the way you live.
Consider a new selling method.
If you get the sense that your agent never has time for you or your home has been on the market forever, it may be time to work with someone else. However, it’s tough to say that any real estate agent can really change how buyers will see your home.
There is more than one way to sell a home or property. Check out Do I Need to Hire a Realtor? to get the skinny on alternatives to paying a realtor.
Assess your photos.
It can take a lot to make listing photos present a fair and attractive image of what your home looks like in person.
For starters, are all of the lights on in your photos? Every bulb should be at max setting for more indoor brightness. Shoot the exterior as the sun sets and don’t forget the porch lights, either.
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