Why Can’t I Sell My House

The number one reason houses don’t sell is because they are overpriced. I know this is something that sellers don’t want to hear. This is a very unpleasant prospect, but one that has to be mentioned in any article involving house sales. This is very true in today’s market which is a buyer’s dream and quite possibly a seller’s worst nightmare. If you haven’t done it already, you need to assess the market conditions by looking at comparables in your neighborhood. Comparable houses need to be in similar neighborhoods with similar features and upgrades. Square footage, yard size, school zones, and proximity to high density housing all need to be taken into consideration for a comparables study. A licensed realtor can help with this process as they have access to the MLS (multiple listing service), this is a computer service that lists a large number of houses and allows a realtor to make an educated estimate about the value of you house. It is possible to do your own comparables study by driving through neighborhoods and going to open houses.

Well, let’s assume you have your house for sale at a competitive price and you’re still asking “Why can’t I sell my house?” I’ll give you a general rundown on some factors that may be a hindrance to getting your house sold.

Most Common Selling Mistakes

Poor Choice in Realtors – Sell My House Rule #1

The real estate profession is a very competitive field, if you don’t feel that your current realtor is doing a good job for you then find a new one. Be sure to interview prospective realtors and remember they work for you. Ask them about their commission, what they think about the value of your house, and what type of marketing plan do they have to get your house sold. Don’t just choose a realtor because they say that your house is worth a certain amount or because they charge a lower commission. Also keep in mind, a realtor’s commission is negotiable.

Not Enough Marketing - Sell My House Rule #2

This is usually handled by your realtor unless you are selling your home yourself. Ideally your realtor should have a virtual tour of your house online. Your house should be advertised weekly, especially advertise hard on the weekend when people are most likely to be shopping for houses. Color flyers should be kept stocked in an outdoor bin for people who just happen to see it while driving by. Your realtor should also be holding regular open houses, preferably on the same day as other open houses in the neighborhood.

Your House is in Bad Condition - Sell My House Rule #3

Homeowner’s don’t like to hear that their house is in bad condition, but in a buyer’s market your house needs to look better than all the other houses glutting the market. Before starting any major repairs or upgrades, make sure to consult with your realtor so you don’t over improve your home. Believe it or not, people sometimes spend too much money on the wrong upgrades and don’t get any selling benefit from it. A couple minor improvements that can go a long way to improving the show quality of your house is paint and flooring. Both paint and flooring can be done fairly inexpensively and quickly and may be just what your house needs to present a little better than the other comparables in your market.

Bad Photos of House - Sell My House Rule #4

Almost all buyers will make a quick split second decision about your home from what they see online or in a flyer. Are the best possible features of your house played up? Are the pictures clear and of good quality? If they look dark or grainy, people will view this as a reflection of the house and not just a bad picture.

Clutter - Sell My House Rule #5

When trying to sell a house, it is important to make the living area look as inviting and relaxing as possible. I know this is hard to do as most people are still living in their house as they try to sell it, but don’t skip this step. Rent a storage unit for a couple months if necessary. Put away all kids toys, any oversized furniture, empty closets, and clear the garage. Believe it or not, it’s even a good idea to straighten out the refrigerator.

Where to Get More Ideas

A great way to get a lot of information about preparing a house for sale can be found on the HGTV (Home and Garden TV) television station. This may seem a crazy place to start when selling your home but you will get a lot of good ideas that can be achieved for very little money and a lot of good effect. Check out Designed to Sell, Design on a Dime and Get it Sold for excellent tips. You can learn how to stage your house, what sells a house, and what improvements get the most bang for the buck.

A lot of sellers think that all they need to do is put their house on the market and buyers will magically appear, maybe this was true two years ago at the height of the market, but no more. There’s no doubt that selling your house in this current housing climate is a nightmare but if you follow these rules you will dramatically increase your odds of success.