Stuck on the Market? 3 Reasons Your Home Isn’t Selling
Why do my homes not sell? While some issues, such as the state of the overall housing market, are out of your hands, others are very much in your control. Details that may seem small to you can, in fact, be very important to a home buyer, and by ignoring them, you may be keeping your home from selling.
If you are tired of your home’s slow progress on the market, here are three common causes of that issue and what you can do to improve it.
Contents
1. Curb Appeal Is Falling Short
At first impressions are key. The instant a buyer pulls in to your place, they are forming opinions of the home, which at times may be before they step in. If you’re neglecting the outside of your home, it sets the stage for the rest of the tour. Even a spotless inside may not save the sale if the outside isn’t present.
Common curb appeal issues include:
- Paint that is peeling off of siding, doors, or trim.
- Overgrown landscaping or unkempt lawns
- Cracked or stained driveways and walkways
- Outdated light fixtures or house numbers
Address some of these issues with a large-scale renovation, which isn’t always necessary. For example, a new coat of paint, trimmed hedges, in-season mulch, and small-scale exterior updates may transform the look of your home. Look at your front yard and entryways the property’s handshake; it should be welcoming, clean, and confident.
Buyers see a nicely kept outside as a sign that the home is well maintained overall. Also, if you ignore the curb appeal, it may raise red flags of hidden maintenance issues.
2. Dirty or Streaky Windows Are Sending the Wrong Message
Many a time homeowners ignore the issue of windows. Dirty, stained, or neglected windows may leave a negative impression of your home on buyers, which in turn may present your home as darker, smaller, and less well taken care of than it is.
Natural light is a key feature in any home. Homebuyers are after bright, airy rooms that feel open and welcoming. When windows are covered by dust, fingerprints, or water spots, they are blocking out the sun and dimming the space’s appeal. Also, it goes without saying that fogged glass or frames that are covered in grime put forth an image of lack of proper care, which in turn may cause buyers to look elsewhere.
Hiring professionals for window washing in Rockford is a smart investment if you want your property to shine. It is a great investment that will have your property looking at its best. Clean windows sparkle, with streaks, buildup, and dirt removed that DIY methods often leave in. By cleaning the windows, homeowners see a great increase in curb appeal and also let in maximum natural light, which in turn presents the home in the best light it can.
This slight improvement can make a large difference. In a bright sunlit room a buyer is much more likely to feel positive about the home as opposed to a space that is dim and out of air. Also, when competing with other properties in the area, spotless windows can give that extra edge.
3. Overpricing Is Driving Buyers Away
Pricing is a very sensitive issue in home sales. Every seller wants to get the best price possible, but setting it too high will have the home sitting on the market way longer than it should. Today’s buyers are smart—they are constantly looking at other listings online and will immediately see if a home is overpriced for its square footage, location, or condition.
An expensive home often does not pay off. Also, instead of getting in to negotiate, many buyers will pass on the property altogether, which is the seller’s reflection in the market. Even should a buyer put in an offer, it will be low, which in turn causes issues and frustration.
As a home sits on the market longer, it becomes a risky sell. Buyers may think there is an issue with the home, which may not be true at all; rather, it may just be a case of the price not being in sync. To avoid that issue, sellers should work with a professional real estate agent that can give a competitive market analysis. This data-driven approach will set the price right for the present market, which in turn gets serious buyers.
At times a little drop in price is enough to spark interest, which in turn brings in multiple offers.
Final Thoughts
Lack of pizzazz in the exterior, dirty windows that let in little natural light, or a price that is out of line.
Surely each of these issues has a solution. In Rockford improvements to the home’s exterior, investment in professional window washing, and pricing the home correctly also pay off greatly in terms of sales.
In the end, what sellers should do is create that strong emotional connection with home buyers, which is the goal of any home sale. A clean and well-presented property at a good price tag allows buyers to see themselves in that home. When buyers are able to see themselves in the property, they will in turn see a happy future there, which in the end results in better offers.
