When to Worry About Your House Not Selling

As a long-time Oakville real estate agent, I’m very familiar with the frantic phone call from homeowners, “Why isn’t my house selling?” It can be discouraging to know you’re doing what you’re supposed to; the sign is clearly displayed on your front lawn, you’ve cleaned and decluttered extensively, and perhaps you’ve even had an inquiry or two.

In spite of your best efforts, you haven’t received any solid offers. When should you sound the alarm?

I would go out on a limb and say that it’s never too late to “worry” about your house not selling, because fretting over the situation doesn’t help.

However, if by “worry”, you mean reconsider your strategy, I have a few different avenues of thought. In this post, I’ll help you troubleshoot your transaction so you can figure out what to do to get your house sold.

One of the best ways to sell a house quickly and at top dollar is to have expert guidance right from the beginning. Here’s How to Find the Best Oakville Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home.

How Long Does It Take to Sell a House?

One of the first steps to selling a house is simply knowing what to expect. Often, homeowners begin to stress over the timeline, when in fact, everything is perfectly normal and aligned with the current market.

During busy seller’s markets, homes do indeed sell quickly. However, those conditions are outliers rather than the norm. During slower markets, it takes time to find a buyer. People are viewing homes and making decisions according to their schedule, which can seem slow when you’re ready for a change. However, it’s not necessarily cause for alarm just yet.

First, talk to your real estate agent about the average time to sell a house in your area in the current market. If you’re within that window, you may just need some patience. If, on the other hand, you’ve gone past that time frame (or are dangerously close to it), you may need to reevaluate your home selling strategy.

Start by assessing what is happening right now.

Are you getting emails or phone calls, but not enough showings?
Are people booking showings but not making offers?
Or have you seen little to no activity at all?

In any of these cases, there’s a very good chance that something is off regarding your pricing strategy, the presentation of your home, or how well it is marketed.

Want more tips for selling a house? You’ll want to read these blogs next!

What Stops a House From Selling?

Those of us in the real estate industry have a saying, “If it isn’t the price, it’s the price.” While that might be a simplification, reassessing your listing price is an excellent place to start when troubleshooting a home sale.

A high price that is unaligned with the current market can be a turn-off for home buyers. The old-school advice to list high and then negotiate often doesn’t work. If buyers don’t call, book showings, or place an offer, there’s no one to negotiate with!

What surprises some homeowners is that a low price can also be a deterrent. Coming in strategically, slightly under market value can be a brilliant move. It could potentially lead to more offers, and ultimately, a fast sale at a higher price.

However, this method is more complex than it seems. It isn’t always applicable in every market, and there is little room for mistakes. If you go too low, you risk selling for less than your home is worth, or worse, buyers believe there is something wrong with your house, and it doesn’t sell at all.

Pricing is one of the most critical components in real estate, and it requires an extensive amount of data and analysis to determine the most effective number. If your house is taking too long to sell, it might be time to double-check those calculations.

Is Your Home Really Market Ready?

Every home seller knows that they should make their property look fantastic. The concept is not in question; however, there is some confusion over what this really means.

You don’t necessarily need to invest tens of thousands of dollars remodelling the kitchen or finishing the basement. That said, you do need to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and prepare your home for them, not for your own tastes.

Painting and decorating in a way that you love is one of the most common mistakes when it comes to selling a house. You want a beautiful, magazine-worthy presentation. The trick is to make it impersonal, like a blank canvas.

Neutral decor allows the buyer to use their imagination to decorate the house any way they want. If your home has been on the market too long, my custom staging methods can help to renew buyer interest.

Do you want more background information to make the most of your sale? Start by reading the posts below:

Advanced Marketing: Leaving No Stone Unturned

Once you’ve tightened up your price and presentation, one major piece of the puzzle remains. You must bring your listing to the attention of potential buyers. The more people you reach, the more likely someone is to fall in love with your house and make an offer.

A promotional strategy will encompass multiple channels, such as social media, online advertising, and beautiful print materials. Wherever buyers are searching, that’s where your listing needs to be front and centre.

As your real estate agent, I can also reach out to my network of other Realtors®, brokerages, and past and current clients to find someone interested in a move to your area. Between comprehensive marketing and relentless networking, you have the best chance of finding a buyer. With expert help and a solid support system, your home sale will once again be right on track.

Looking for an experienced agent to sell your home? I can help! Get in touch at stacey@staceyrobinson.com or call 905-464-7653.

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