Why Won’t My House Sell?
Ugly houses, old houses, expensive houses. There are a lot of houses that just won’t sell. But sometimes you get a house that looks decent enough, is new enough, and is well-priced enough that it really seems like it should. What do you do if you’ve exhausted all your options and just can’t figure out why your property won’t move?
Take a Look at Neighboring Properties
Even though your home might be fairly priced, it’s possible there are other comparable properties selling for less. This can frequently happen when people are moving out of a neighborhood for a reason (such as jobs drying up in the area) or when the market itself is down and people still need to sell fast. Commonly, the advice in this situation is to hold off to sell later. Realistically, most people are selling a home for a reason.
Check Your Own Inspection Reports
Ask for an inspection of your property. You may find things that you haven’t even realized are a problem. Your inspection could reveal damage to your foundation that you had otherwise dismissed but that others might be concerned about. Talk to prospective buyers and find out more about what they’re expecting from a house and what you could potentially do to make it a little more welcoming.
Revise Your Listing
Not all real estate professionals are born marketers. Take a look at your listing to determine whether the description really describes your property accurately — and whether there are enough photos available. If you aren’t getting any interest in your property (and you’re confident that it’s a good one), it could be that your real estate listing just isn’t putting its best foot forward. At least a dozen professional, staged photos can go a long way.
Examine Your Curb Appeal
Even if your home looks fantastic inside, don’t forget that outside matters too. Frequently, buyers will drive past a place long before they ever schedule a walkthrough. Your mailbox, facade, front yard, and other elements are something that a buyer is going to look at to determine whether they even want to spend the time looking inside. So, if you want to spend any money renovating or refurbishing, you should spend it on the curb appeal.
Consider the Season
There are certain seasons when houses just don’t sell. Real estate agents are aware of this. December, for instance, is one of the worst months for home sales. Most people don’t want to move during the holidays. This trend continues in January and February because it’s cold and bleak. People don’t want to go house hunting during a snowstorm. But during the late spring and summer months, people are far more interested in purchasing a property. If you’re trying to sell a home off season, it could just take a lot longer.
Get Rid of the Renters
Do this lawfully, of course. It’s possible your home isn’t selling because you have renters. While the presence of the renters may not be felt if the property is completely clean, many people don’t want to purchase a property with renters because they have to uphold the lease themselves. It’s better not to renew a renter’s lease and wait until they have left to try to sell your property, so buyers don’t need to worry about eviction.
Go to a Home Buyer
It may be time to be proactive. If your home still won’t sell, you can take the matters into your own hands. Reaching out to a cash home buyer is the best way to do so. A cash home buyer can consult with you and make you a fair offer on your property. You won’t need to wait for loans to close, you won’t need to renovate or repair your home, and you won’t need to wonder why regular buyers aren’t interested.
As you can see, there are a lot of scenarios in which your house might not sell through no fault of your own. But that doesn’t make you powerless! At We Buy Houses Oklahoma City, we’re interested in your property now. Contact us today to find out more.