So you haven’t had a showing in weeks and you’ve forgotten what your realtor looks like and you may or may not have started to wonder if you’ll be moving after all.
You’re not alone. With the housing market recovering so unevenly, many sellers are finding that they’re not able to move on as quickly as they’d like. That being said, if your home has been sitting on the market for months, it’s probably time to reevaluate your strategy.
Before you do something drastic, try giving these 5 tips a chance.
1. De-clutter and read up on home staging. Many sellers assume buyers won’t mind the clutter—it doesn’t come with the house, after all. But though buyers know this, it doesn’t keep them from focusing on the knick-knacks when they should be admiring the hardwood. A messy house can also make buyers wonder what else you haven’t kept on top of, or even signal a lack of storage space
If you’re wondering where to start, home staging could be your answer. Staged houses typically sell faster and for more money than vacant or as-is homes. The basic idea? Aim for the hotel look. That means clear surfaces, neutral colors, no personal photos, and minimal furniture.
2. Be willing to compromise. When you’re selling something as big as a house, flexibility is your best friend. For instance, if you’re only showing your home on certain days or during certain hours, you may not be reaching the right buyers, lowering your chances for a sale. Refusing to entertain a lower offer, or to compromise in other ways can also be an issue. Don’t let a deal fall through because of something as small as closing fees or a broken toilet.
3. Fix the little things. Speaking of broken toilets, fixing yours (or your dingy paint job, or that loose tile in the kitchen, etc.) may make a big difference in the eyes of a buyer. No matter how small the fix, it’s still one more thing for a buyer to worry about in the middle of an already stressful move. Try taking a few weeks to get your house as close to move-in ready as possible, and it could just pay off.
4. Make a bigger (or a better) marketing push. Sometimes, selling a house is just a numbers game. If no one sees your listing, or if it’s not appealing when they do see it, you’re not going to be getting the traffic you need to make a sale.
Often, this just means uploading better pictures to your internet listing. These days, most buyers want to get a good feel for a property before they visit in person, and if you only have a handful of fuzzy cell phone photos taken pre-decluttering, you’re not showing your home at its best. Make sure your photos are well-lit, clutter-free, and plentiful.
5. Take a second look at your asking price. Nothing can kill a sale faster than an unrealistic asking price. Many sellers make the mistake of letting their attachment to the house get in the way of their subjectivity. This is why it’s important to listen to your realtor or appraiser, or else know the prices comparable houses in your neighborhood are selling at. It may just be time to lower your expectations.
source: totalmortgage.com
