3 Reasons Your Home Won’t Sell and How to Fix it

There’s nothing worse than excitedly listing your home on the market, only to wait months and months with no offers. When a home doesn’t sell, especially in a hot market, there are usually some issues with the home or listing. But here’s the good news: those problems can be fixed. Here are three of the most common reasons homes don’t sell and what you can do to get those offers rolling in.

If your home isn’t selling, especially if you’ve had a lot of viewings and you’re in a strong real estate market, it’s likely a sign that it’s overpriced. While you definitely don’t want to go lower than what you owe on the loan, you might need to slightly lower the price to bring it in line with the value buyers perceive when they view the home. It should be similar to your local competition; if it’s priced a lot higher than similar homes in your area, that could be the issue. Additionally, your listing price should take into account any needed repairs. If you think this might be the issue, I can help you determine an accurate value and asking price.

Yes, it’s painful to spend money on repairs and improvements that you won’t get to enjoy for long. But if your home is older and hasn’t gotten much TLC in a while, start making some updates to make the home more appealing to buyers. These don’t have to be major renovations or expensive improvements. Several small tweaks, such as upgrading ceiling fans, faucets, and cabinet handles, and adding a fresh coat of paint inside and outside can go a long way to improving the perceived value of the home and winning over buyers. Updating some appliances can also help freshen up the home and make it look cared for.

If you’re still living in the home, it’s a challenge to keep it spick and span and smelling lovely — especially if you have kids or pets. But seeing a cluttered house makes it difficult for buyers to picture how they would live there. And smells, like those from pets or smoking, can really turn them off. Do your best to keep the home tidy for showings, and don’t hesitate to hire a professional cleaner. If you think smells might be an issue, address root causes where you can (like getting rid of carpets pets have peed on or fixing mildew issues). Beyond that, light some scented candles, spray some Febreze, and consider baking cookies or other deliciously-scented desserts before a showing.

If you’re unsure why your home isn’t selling, please reach out so I can help you determine what’s going on and help you address any issues. 

Stage Your Home To Sell

When selling your home, you need it to shine and appeal to every buyer possible. Staging your home appropriately will help potential buyers connect with your home and picture their daily lives in your home. 

You already know that you must clean and declutter like you’ve never cleaned before, but I wanted to pass on a few ideas that go beyond cleaning that will help you stage your home to sell.

Show off your lighting. When staging your home, you want to make sure that it’s bright. Replace any burned out bulbs, clean your windows, and open your blinds to let in the natural light. You do not want the first comment from a potential buyer to be, “It’s dark in here.”

Don’t be afraid to switch up your furniture. Move couches and loveseats away from the walls. You’ll be surprised at the space it creates. Moving furniture to face each other also shows the natural flow of a room. Remember: you’re showing your home to sell, so things won’t be the way you live in them.

Arrange your pillows, accessories, artwork, and chairs in threes, fives, even sevens. Designers say it’s more appealing to the eye. Give it a try.

Do you have an odd room or unique floor plan? Don’t hide it. Make this space into a useable space. A unique space will be appealing.

I hope these tips help you prepare your home to sell. If you need professional advice, I’m here to help. 

Give me a call or send me a text to set up a time to talk about your home.

Does Your Home Make a Good First Impression?

Making a good first impression is important in business, dating, and selling a home, especially here in beautiful Orange County. 

In this fun but true video, we lighten it up by comparing home shopping to a first date. Enjoy these tips along with how they apply to home showings, and avoid the 3 biggest turn-offs for potential buyers interested in purchasing your home!

A first impression is lasting, and you’d never show up on a blind first date not looking and smelling your best. So shower, apply light fragrance, dress neat, and smile.

Odors, pleasant and unpleasant, are one of the first things noticed. Everyone has their own unique smell, and if it includes pet smells and/or smoking, it’s a big turn-off. This also includes damp or musty smells like trash; these should be addressed with fresh paint and carpets, air fresheners, and cleaning. But don’t overdo the fragrance - that can be a huge turn-off, too.

Nothing is ruder than talking about yourself endlessly. Leave your photo album at home and be ready to ask questions and listen to answers about your date.

When a buyer walks into a home and sees an overabundance of your unique personalization, they don’t feel like they belong. They may feel isolated, and maybe even guilty, about wanting to remove wallpaper to make the home their own. Simplify by removing heavy décor, walls of images, and anything else that can distract from the beauty of the home itself. And don’t take it personally!

It is important to be authentic and to present your best self. Your appearance, language, and honesty will go a long way towards getting that next date!

Buyers notice curb appeal and how well maintained the home is. If gutters are full, weeds are growing out of control, and things are in clear disrepair, they often wonder what problems are hiding below the surface. Performing needed maintenance and cleaning will go a long way in making a good impression.

Now is the time to start getting your house ready to show for selling in the spring. Contact me today to learn the areas of your home to address before spending unneeded time and money, and to make the best first impression.