Why do some homes sell right away? Why do some sit on the market for months at a time? And why isn’t your house selling? In this post, we will help you to consider some reasons why your house isn’t selling, and what you can do about it!
Selling a home takes work. It is only when a price, a property, and a buyer all lineup that you are able to achieve a sale. To make this happen as the seller, you need to take a good look at your home and the price you are asking for.
Don’t Be Overly Ambitious With Your Asking Price
So many people are quick to list a property, without really considering the amount they will actually walk away with. You might take a guess at what it’s worth, and mark it up a bit for commissions and other listing costs. If only it were that easy. Many sellers don’t have a realistic value for their homes. Before you list, run some comps for properties that have recently sold in your area. You might even consider having an appraisal done. If you need to lower the price of your house, it will be visible to potential buyers viewing your property on marketing sites. If you lower the price over and over, you will make people think there is something wrong with the house.
Your Clutter is Off-Putting
No matter how cute you think your stuff is, it’s still YOUR stuff. How can someone imagine your extra bedroom as an office if there are teddy bears everywhere?
- Put away any personal items.
- Clear away paperwork from tables and desks.
- Take pictures down.
- Put away things like your robe, your razor, and your toothbrush.
And while you’re at it, give it a thorough cleaning. To be blunt, your typical cleaning habits may not be on par with some of the people viewing your home. Now is the time to channel your inner neat freak.
You Aren’t Able to Compete
Thinking about listing in Johannesburg? Do you know what you’re up against? Take a good look at properties for sale in your area. Know what your neighbors are asking for their homes, and what comparable houses have recently sold for. Don’t look at what people are asking, look at what houses are actually going for. Property24 has a section that list the price properties were sold for in a street.
You should also know the demographics of potential buyers. Are there a lot of families? Make your yard conducive to outdoor fun. Young professionals? Think of showcasing an area as an office or gym.
It Needs Work
Honesty is key here. There are things you might have been overlooking for so long, that now they just seem normal. Get an outside opinion on what repairs should be made. Ask friends for candid opinions. Ask your agent. And consider doing an inspection on your own. Fixing the things in need of repair will improve your selling chances, and lower your potential buyer’s bargaining power over repairs.
Bad Photos
People use the internet to buy homes. In our opinion, nothing can destroy a listing faster than bad photography. On the flip side, well done, professional photos can make your listing skyrocket. Don’t settle for an agent who takes a picture of your home from the car. And going back to the above, there should not be any clutter in your photos. Seriously. Nothing. Putting some effort into great photos will make or break your listing.
Your Agent isn’t Doing All They Could Be
Some agents will do the bare minimum and cross their fingers for a sale. They might have gotten their license in hopes of making a quick buck. Then there is Sproud. We are real estate professionals that genuinely want to help people! We believe everyone should love the real estate they own.
Title Issues
It is very difficult to sell a property with foundation issues or squatting-tenants or other title problems. Maybe your great aunt gave you the property, but it was never properly put in your name. (AKA, transfer without conveyance.) To sell a property in do whatever you can to clear this up before you list it.
