The average home spends 89 days on the market before it sells. This means it isn’t uncommon for sellers to have their house listed for at least three months.
However, some housing markets are much hotter. For example, a home in Seattle spends only 20 days on the market on average.
If you are trying to sell your house and you aren’t getting any offers, then it’s possible you just need to give it more time. However, if you’ve crossed the average or you’re in a hurry to offload your property, there are things you can do to make it a more attractive option for buyers.
1. Lower the Price
Often, if a house won’t sell, it’s probably overpriced for the current market. Homeowners often have emotional attachments to their property, making them feel it’s worth more than its actual value.
If your property has sat on the market for more than the average in your area, then consider reducing the price. This should increase the number of potential buyers and may lead to a sale.
You can use the same approach if you simply need to sell quickly too. If you list slightly below the fair market value, you may find a buyer faster.
If you need to see what your home is genuinely worth, speak with a local real estate agent. You can also do some research online to find out the value of your property.
2. Make Repairs
When a property is obviously damaged, buyers won’t be as interested. If there are repairs that need to be made, including everything from dripping faucets to a roof replacement, consider investing.
Most homebuyers aren’t looking for a major project. They want to purchase a home and be able to move right in and start their new lives.
By getting your home in tip-top shape, it’s a more attractive option for home shoppers.
3. Consider Upgrades
Similarly, certain improvements increase your home’s value and may entice buyers to make an offer.
For example, updating your attic insulation can be an easy update to accomplish and has a return on investment of approximately 117 percent.
Replacing your siding can also be beneficial. Not only does it up your curb appeal, but it also functions as a selling point.
If your kitchen appliances look like something from the last millennia, then that’s an upgrade you should also consider.
4. Try Neutral Colors
If your home is full of brightly-colored walls, then repainting them may be a necessity. Strong colors are polarizing, and not everyone will love your choices.
Instead of leaving the color, shift to a neutral. A light gray or beige can make your home seem like a clean slate. Even better, go for a classic white.
5. Remove Clutter
Buyers want to find a home that feels spacious regardless of its size. If your rooms, shelves, or surfaces are overcome with clutter, the space will feel smaller and disheveled.
Before you list your home, take time to declutter. Pack up as many items as possible, leaving only those that truly highlight how a space is meant to function.
For example, you can put away your small kitchen appliances to make the counters seem spacious. If you have a fireplace mantel, remove everything but one to three small items, like vases.
6. Reconsider the Staging
While leaving your home completely empty may seem wise for showcasing space, most realtors will have you include furnishings — even if they’re not your own.
By adding staging furniture — or upgrading any that’s already in the space — you can demonstrate a room’s function. Plus, you can prove what the space will hold.
For example, having a queen- or king-sized bed in the master bedroom shows that it will fit.
As with the wall color, you want to keep things neutral. Just use the furniture to define the spaces and give people an idea of what their lives could look like if they buy.
7. Depersonalize
Most homeowners fill their houses with photos of family, name signs, and various other items to personalize the space. But items like family photos make it hard for buyers to image the property as their home. In fact, they may feel like they are invading your privacy.
If you’re having trouble selling your home, make sure to depersonalize the spaces. Take down photos featuring people, remove any artwork with names, and consider hiding hobby items away.
8. Check the Title
An issue with the title could stop buyers in their tracks. For example, a lien against the property may seem like a red flag or an improperly recorded deed can create headaches.
If you haven’t checked the title, it’s wise to take a look. That way, if there’s an issue, you can remedy it quickly.
9. Mind the Smell
Pet odors, stale smoke, mildew, and other scents can be a turn off to buyers. If your home looks great but smells horrible, you probably won’t get many offers.
The solution varies depending on the cause of the odor. In some cases, a thorough cleaning and some scented candles will do the trick.
In others, such as with set-in smoke, more drastic measures may be necessary.
10. Get a New Agent
Sometimes, the problem isn’t the property; it’s the agent. If your realtor doesn’t seem to care or isn’t pleasant to deal with, he or she could be turning off buyers.
If everything else is in good shape, consider going with a different agent. Find someone with an upbeat and enthusiastic personality that isn’t overwhelming, and see if they can get better results.
If You Can’t Sell Your House
Hopefully, by following the tips above, you can increase your odds of selling your home. However, there is always the chance to sell your home directly to an investor like The Local House Buyers.
Plus, you may even find that it’s easier to get higher bids, allowing you to move forward with more cash in your pocket.
Readers, have you ever had difficulty selling a home? Please tell us about your experiences by posting in the comments section beneath this post.
Read More
Looking for more great real estate articles? Here are a few to get you started:
- Will Student Loan Debt Keep You from Buying a Home?
- 10 Housing Markets That Are Still Affordable
- More Homebuyers Stretch Toward Excessive Debt
- The Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S.
- What’s the Real Estate Value of the Vatican?
- Inventory of Homes for Sale Hits Record Low
- Higher Credit Scores Needed For Home Purchases
- How Can Single People Afford To Buy Homes?
- Over 50% of Homeowners To Spend on Home Improvements in 2018
- Higher Credit Scores Needed For Home Purchases
- Long-Term Mortgage Rates Hit a Seven-Year High
If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.
Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
Comments