Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
The real estate market has its ups and downs, which experienced real estate agents know how to leverage to sell even in challenging markets properly. But when your house isn’t selling as quickly as you’d like, there are some questions you need to consider with your agent in case you need to adjust your strategy.
Is your house priced right?
You might think it is, but if similar houses in your neighborhood have sold recently for less, buyers might be expecting yours to be priced lower, as well. You have a choice: either lower your price to draw a buyer or add charm and features that will make it more worth the price (but that don’t cost more than the possible financial benefit).
Are you selling in an off-season or a slow market?
Winter is usually the worst time to sell in this area. We rarely get a thick blanket of snow to make a home look beautiful, and people don’t want to move in the cold. However, adjusting your listing to highlight cozy aspects of your home (a fireplace, for instance) and adjusting pictures to show warm and inviting scenes and cheery outdoor lighting can help overcome this. But, there may be other market factors that are out of your control; interest rates or volatile political or economic conditions can make buyers hesitant to commit. In these cases, it may be necessary to just ride out the volatility for a while. If you’re still committed to selling quickly, dropping the price or offering to cover closing costs could entice hesitant buyers.
How many visits have you had, and what feedback have you gotten?
Find out from your realtor any feedback homebuyers might have given following showings of your house, and consider making adjustments based on their comments. If you have not had many showings, make sure your house is appearing on the most popular listing websites. Compare your house’s description and photos on the websites to those of other similar houses in your area, especially those that have had more showings and have sold recently. Discuss with your realtor any changes that can be made to your listing to make it pop and draw the right buyers.
Does your house have any unusual quirks or unique features?
Maybe your house is a little unconventional and has features not everyone would be in the market for. If so, your listing description and pictures have to draw the right people. For instance, an indoor pool may seem like a liability to some buyers, but to swimmers or people who are very interested in fitness, it’s a dream come true. Market to these people. Don’t forget local social media options, such as online neighborhood groups like Nextdoor or niche groups on Facebook.
How’s your curb appeal? Does your house need repairs that may be scaring away buyers?
Improving the outside appearance of your home may be as simple as doing a little landscaping, painting the mailbox, and adding a new garage door. If you have small repairs that need to be done, like painting the molding throughout the house or putting down new flooring in the kitchen, such upgrades will pay for themselves, if they can get you the price you want. If there are bigger repairs to be made, like replacing old windows, you may have to adjust the price to take that into consideration.
Is your house properly staged, or does it look too “lived in”?
Buyers want to be able to walk into your house and see themselves living there. They don’t want to see your family photos or your favorite lounge chair. Clean thoroughly and declutter ruthlessly. Even if you plan to keep your favorite comfy chair, hide it. You may even want to rent a storage area if necessary to contain your excess items. A good realtor can then help you stage your house to make it truly inviting to the right buyer.
A good agent will be proactive in helping you avoid some of these challenges, but sometimes issues become apparent after you’ve put your house on the market. That’s why you need to have frequent communication with your real estate agent, who should be watching the activity on your house continually and giving you feedback and recommendations to improve its salability as time goes on.
If you’re looking to sell your home, or if your home is already on the market but you are looking for a new real estate agent, give me a call to discuss how I can help you with each of these issues and more, so that your home sells at the best price.
