When you sell your house, ideally, you want it to go something like this: your house sells for top dollar, you get it sold quickly, and it all goes down without a hitch.
Even in today’s market with more buyers than homes, factors can still cause delays or prevent a house from selling. According to Zillow, in 2024, 1 in 3 sellers removed their home from the market before it was sold.
And while the reasons those houses didn’t sell are going to vary, there are some general themes that come through. If you’re having trouble selling your house, here are the top three hurdles that may be in your way and how an expert agent can help you overcome them.
1. Priced Too High
It’s no surprise that price plays a major role when you sell. And in today’s market, overpricing a home in a high-mortgage rate environment is the biggest thing keeping homes on the market longer than the norm. As. U.S. News Real Estate says:
“Talk to any real estate expert, and the first thing they’ll tell you is that a house is selling slowly because the price is too high.”
While it’s tempting to push the price higher to get more for your home, overpricing can really turn away potential buyers. It can also make your house sit on the market for far too long. And the longer it sits, the more skeptical buyers will be that there’s something wrong, even if there isn’t.
Not to mention, buyers today have so many tools and resources to view homes in your area and compare prices. So, if your house is priced too high, you’ll risk driving away potential offers.
To find out if this is happening with your listing, talk to your agent about what they’re hearing at open houses and showings. If the feedback is consistent, it may be time to re-evaluate your asking price.
2. Not Freshened Up Before Listing
You only get one chance to make a great first impression on a buyer. That’s why sprucing up your house can be the difference between it selling or sitting.
First, take into account your home’s curb appeal. There may be easy ways you can clean up the landscaping to make it tidy, inviting, and really make an impact. As an article from Realtor.com notes:
” . . . for better or worse, buyers do tend to judge a book by its cover. You want to make sure potential buyers’ first impression of your home is a good one—and inspires them to stop by the open house or schedule a tour—so they can see more.”
But don’t stop at the front door. Small touches like removing personal items, decluttering, and cleaning floors help buyers envision themselves in the home. Inexpensive upgrades like a fresh coat of paint or updated photos for the season can create a strong wow factor.
When in doubt, lean on your real estate agent for expert advice and whether you need a new game plan to close the deal.
3. Limited Access
Another big mistake you can make as a seller is limiting the days and times that buyers can view your house. Because at the end of the day, if buyers can’t take a look around, your chances of selling decline — drastically.
And here’s something else to consider. Buyers from outside the area are motivated but have less flexibility and time compared to local buyers in any market. So, give your house the best visibility by making it available as much as possible.
Bottom Line
You deserve to check selling your house off your list of goals this year. So, if your house isn’t getting enough attention or your listing is getting stale, don’t be afraid to ask your trusted real estate agent how you can revamp your approach.
