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1. IT’S OVERPRICED
First things first, the #1 reason a home won’t sell, is the simple fact that it is overpriced. Many times, we want our homes to be worth a lot more than the data we are given by our agents, but if you put your home on the market for the number you wish it will bring instead of the price it actually needs to be, your home can sit on the market for months without getting a single showing. If you’re thinking you need to price high to leave room for negotiations, statistics show that views for your property, for buyers in your price range, can drop a whopping 90% if it’s priced too high. Discuss with your agent what the market says the value of your home is, then price it competitively to potentially get a bidding frenzy instead of low offers or having it expire.
2. LIMITED SHOWING AVAILABILITY
Making sure the house is clean and having to leave on a daily basis for buyers to tour the home may get a little overwhelming, but it is crucial to have open availability to have your home shown. You could end up missing out on the perfect buyer if you decline too many showings. The longer it sits on the market, the less value buyers will see in it. If you need extra time to get ready for showings, talk with your agent about having a 24 hour notice period, but make sure your home is available to be shown as often as possible.
3. CLUTTERED SPACE
Buyers want to walk into a house and envision their lives in that home. This is difficult to do if your home is cluttered with personal belongings. They are instantly given the feeling of invading someone else’s personal space, instead of the satisfaction of being able to see a future in your home. Having wall to wall furniture, makes the home appear small and cramped. The less furniture you have in the room, the more roomy and spacious it appears. Go ahead and pack everything up except the necessities, after all, you are moving anyway so you will have to pack it up eventually. Make sure your property is clutter free before putting it on the market; and store away any family photos.
4. UNPLEASANT ODORS
If you smoke or have pets, it’s easy to get used to the smell to the point that you don’t even notice it anymore. But it’s important to understand that the scent can be picked up by new people visiting your home, and it can really turn them off from making an offer. Before a showing, make sure to dispose of any garbage, don’t cook fish or other strong smelling food, and ensure the home is freshened up so there are no pet or smoke odors.
5. UNWILLING TO MAKE REPAIRS
Selling your home as-is may sound appealing at first, but being unwilling to make repairs could cost another mortgage payment that far exceeds the cost of repairs if you refuse to work with the buyer on their requests and the home goes back on the market again. It’s wise to be open to repair requests, and simply go over with your agent what you can afford to do and make a reasonable counter offer during the repair negotiations.
6. UNWILLING TO NEGOTIATE WITH BUYERS
It’s important to have an open mind about requests that will come from buyers when it comes to purchasing your home. These requests can come in the form of price negotiations, repair requests, or even requests to cover closing costs or home warranties. With your agent on your side advising you of the best steps to take, it’s best to be open to working with the buyer’s on some of their requests to ensure a successful closing.
If you are in the Charlotte Metro and surrounding areas, or thinking about relocating to this beautiful state, contact me. I would love to help you elevate your living with home ownership!
Your Crafty Seller
Sandy Brest
