Why is My House Not Selling? 10 Reasons and Solutions to Help

When you list your home for sale, you probably imagine getting lots of offers within days and closing on the home in a few weeks. But that doesn’t always happen. If your house has been on the market for a while, you may be wondering why your home isn’t selling. Whether you’re getting showings or not, there are plenty of potential reasons for your house not selling. In this Redfin article, we’ll cover 10 reasons why your house isn’t selling and what solutions can help.

10 reasons why your house isn’t selling and solutions

Here are some of the top reasons why your home is not selling and what to do about it.

1. Your house is overpriced

Buyer interest in your home is highest when it first comes on the market. That’s why it’s important to start with the right price on day one. You may love your house and you may have spent a lot of time and money on renovations, but if no one is interested, it means you probably have it listed too high. If you overprice your house, buyers may just raise an eyebrow and move on to the next listing without even coming for a showing.

Your agent should prepare a thorough comparative market analysis (CMA) and take you through it to come up with the best asking price for your home. A CMA compares the price of your home to other, similar homes in the area, to determine a price. It can be easy to think your home is worth more but try not to let sentimental value color your judgment. Your home’s true value is whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it.

What to do

It’s best to price your home to sell from the beginning. Interest can always cause the price to go up if you price it a little lower. However, if your home is already listed, you might need to lower your listing price. Speak with your real estate agent to determine the best strategy for decreasing the price and the best price to lower it to.

2. You’re using low-quality photography

Professional real estate photography is necessary for every home listing. Hiring the wrong photographer or doing it yourself may not showcase your home in the best light. Low-quality photos can easily lead to a house not selling as your home’s first showing happens online. It is essential to have clear, bright, quality photos on your home’s listing.

What to do

Consider hiring a professional photographer who specializes in real estate listings. Professional real estate photographers know how to capture your home in its best light and it can be worth the investment.

3. Your marketing isn’t reaching enough potential buyers

Just listing your home for sale on the MLS or putting a “For Sale” sign in the front yard, won’t reach every potential buyer. There are a lot of things a good listing agent can do to market your home to more potential buyers, like posting about it on social media or sending out emails. Agents who have a strong professional network will be familiar with buyer’s agents in your area. They can reach out to them proactively and see if they have any clients looking for homes like yours.

What to do

If you think that your home isn’t reaching enough potential buyers, then it’s time to discuss marketing efforts with your listing agent. It’s possible that there’s more they can to do promote your listing. If you’re selling your home on your own, consider printing flyers, posting about it on local social media pages, and having your friends spread the word. The more people who see your listing, the more likely it is to land in front of an interested buyer.

4. Your home isn’t in great condition

Unless your home is being marketed as “as-is”, most buyers expect a home to be in decent to great condition. If your home appears to be in less than great condition, you’re probably going to wait longer to find a buyer who is willing to make updates. Or you’ll need to discount the price accordingly so buyers can budget for repairs.

What to do

Small changes can go a long way to make your home appear to be in better condition. Some sellers just need to reorganize and declutter the space to attract more buyers. Decluttering lots of knick-knacks, removing personal items, and deep-cleaning the space can go a long way.

If there are major issues with the home’s condition and it needs repairs or renovations, then you’ll need to consider your options. If making the repair isn’t an option for you, the best thing to do is just be realistic about your asking price and go into negotiations knowing you may need to make concessions.

5. Your agent is inexperienced

Sometimes, the problem might just be with your real estate agent. It doesn’t mean they aren’t trying their best to sell your home, but they might not have the knowledge or expertise required. Some agents might not be willing to have the tough conversations needed to make the sale.

What to do

There are several reasons why you should hire an agent with a lot of experience to help you with your home. Make sure to ask questions to help you determine whether they will meet your needs.

6. You’re in a buyer’s market

Real estate markets typically swing between seller’s markets and buyer’s markets. The type of market depends on factors like the economy and local real estate conditions. A buyer’s market may not always be the best time to sell a house, since buyers tend to have more power in negotiation during these times.

What to do

While a seller’s market can make it easier to sell your home, sometimes you have to sell when the timing is right for you. In this case, you’ll have to expect that there may be fewer buyers and they may be looking for a better deal. Price accordingly and be willing to negotiate.

7. You didn’t properly stage your house

Home staging is the process of styling your home’s décor to make it appeal to as many buyers as possible. Poor home staging can lead to a house not selling. This can happen when a home is cluttered with furniture and doesn’t highlight its best features.

What to do

You can pay a professional to stage your home for you, but there are also things you can do first. The most important step is decluttering and removing excess décor whenever possible. The next step is doing a deep clean so your home looks maintained and inviting.

Finally, remove any furniture or décor that feels crowded, oversized, or dark. This will help to lighten and brighten up the space and help buyers to better picture themselves living in the home. Make sure to remove personal items, so potential buyers can see themselves in the home.

>>Read: 12 Must-Read Real Estate Tips for Sellers

8. The home is too customized

There are home improvements that add value, while other renovations may detract from your home’s potential. Not all home improvements have the same return on investment (ROI), so even if you think you’ve priced your home correctly, that may not be the case.

What to do

If you’ve already renovated your home, chances are, you don’t want to do it again. In this case, you may need to lower your expectations about the price you sell your home for, even if you don’t get a full ROI.

9. Your house lacks curb appeal

Curb appeal is the first thing that buyers notice when they drive up to your home for a tour. A home that’s lacking curb appeal can lead to a house not selling, because some people may not even tour the home.

What to do

Take a look at other homes on your street and determine which ones look the best. See if there are small things that you can do, from cutting back bushes to painting the front door. Small updates that refresh your curb appeal can make your home more attractive to buyers.

10. You’re unwilling to negotiate

In most markets, it’s important to be willing to negotiate a home sale. Refusing to negotiate can lead to a house not selling. Be sure to focus on what’s most important to you and consider negotiations that work with your goals and housing market conditions.

What to do

It’s critical to have a real estate agent you trust during negotiations. Your agent should be able to prepare you for what negotiations to expect, what you may be able to offer upfront, and what may be deal breakers for buyers.

What else to do about a house not selling

A few more things sellers can do about a house not selling include:

• Try re-listing the home later on: If you need to make major repairs, taking the home off the market and re-listing it in better condition may be the right option.
• Set up an open house: Hosting an open house can be a great opportunity to get a lot of potential buyers in the door.
• Request feedback: Getting feedback from agents and buyers who have toured the house can give you specific ideas of things to change or fix to help sell your home.

FAQs about selling your home

When should I worry about a house not selling?

If your home has not received any offers in 30 days, then it may be time to re-look at your listing. However, it varies greatly by market and location.

What makes a house harder to sell?

Homes that are priced too high for their condition are often harder to sell, although there can be numerous reasons why a house is harder to sell.

Is it common for home sales to fall through?

Home sales can fall through at any point during the process, especially after inspections and appraisals. While it isn’t super common for home sales to fall through, a lot of it comes down to how motivated the buyers and sellers are to make the sale happen.