Why do some homes sell right away? Why do some sit on the market for months at a time? And why isn’t your house selling? In our latest post, we will help you to consider some reasons why your house isn’t selling, and what you can do about it!
Selling a home takes work. It is only when a price, a property, and a buyer all line up that you are able to make that sale happen. As a seller, there are several points to consider if your house isn’t selling. Let’s take a look….
Why Isn’t My House Selling in Atlanta
Rethink Your Asking Price
Asking for too much is probably the #1 reason that your house isn’t selling. As I write this, we are in a strong seller’s market here in Georgia, and sellers understandably want to sell for a top price.
This has led to some unrealistic expectations. For both sellers AND some realtors.
We see people list their house over market value all the time just hoping that someone will bite. This can be a fair strategy if you are able to wait, but that’s just it. If you want to sell your house fast, then you need to price it right from the start.
Before you list it, you can run some comparables (comps) in your area to see what houses are selling for. You can do this yourself using Zillow, pay for an appraisal, or ask your realtor. We can also help you (completely free of charge – we just like to help people!), just fill out the form at the bottom of this page or contact us.
Is There Something Wrong With My House?
Another important point that many sellers don’t consider when listing their house above market value is what buyers think if you have to reduce your price at some point. Just as you, the seller, is looking for a fair price, so is your potential buyer.
So if you list over market value and it sits for months without selling, many buyers lose interest because they think that there must be something wrong with a house that hasn’t sold in a hot seller’s market.
It looks even worse if you have to reduce the price of your house more than once. Plus, remember that you have to keep paying taxes, utilities, and your other bills while the house sits there waiting to sell.
This can also affect you psychologically! It becomes frustrating and stressful when your house sits for months and months without selling. You can even begin to think something is wrong with your house, your realtor, or you! Most of the time, it’s just the price…
Bottom line is this – price it right from the start. Don’t be afraid to list it for top of market value, but realize that 1) you may have to wait longer to sell, and 2) you may turn off some buyers with multiple months on the market and several price reductions, and 3) all this waiting and hoping can take its toll.
Clean Up The Clutter
So many houses don’t sell because they are so cluttered. If you have a small house and a lot of stuff, you get used to this over time. You stop noticing the clothes stacked on the dining room table and the cereal boxes on top of the fridge.
But, this is the FIRST thing that buyers notice when visiting your home.
I know it’s a pain, but take some time to clean this stuff up! You will want to take pictures to post your house online, so just do it then.
To increase your chances of selling the house quickly:
- Put away all of your personal items
- Clear away all the paperwork, pens, and office supplies from tables
- Take your pictures down. You can leave artwork if you want, but take down all pictures of you and your family. You want the buyer to picture themselves living there – and it’s harder to do that with pictures of your family everywhere.
- Clean the bathroom! Put away your toothbrush, razor, robe, and towels.
- For extra credit – clean the garage. You are going to have to toss out, move, or sell those old power tools, toys, and boxes of clothes when you move, so just do it before you sell!
And while you’re at it, give it a solid cleaning. The cleaner your house looks to buyers, the faster it will sell.
Can You Compete?
Thinking about listing in Atlanta? Do you know what you’re up against? Take a good look at properties for sale in your area, and know what’s selling. In many parts of Atlanta, brand new townhomes are sprouting up all around houses that were built decades ago.
Yes, most people want a single-family house over a townhome or condo, but they are also drawn to the newness and clean appearance of these newly constructed homes. How can you compete? Can you buy some new appliances, repaint the house a neutral color, or refinish the floors?
If you want to sell for top of market, you may have to. If your house isn’t selling, consider what buyers are purchasing instead.
Also, think about who is buying in your area. Are you in a neighborhood with a great elementary school? Think about families with young children. Are you in an area with lots of restaurants and nightlife? Think young professionals. Stage your house to attract typical buyers in your area.
It Needs Work
Houses that were built decades ago need repairs and upgrades. Trust me, ALL houses need some work. I’ve yet to see one that doesn’t, so just be honest with yourself and think about what you would want if you were about to buy your house this time around.
We ask sellers what they would do if they had a $10,000 gift card to Home Depot. So think about that and list it out. If you don’t have the money to fix it up yourself, then be prepared to reduce your asking price. You will have to do this upfront, or after the buyer’s inspection. You will lose negotiating power if your house needs repairs that you don’t fix ahead of time.
If your house needs a LOT of repairs – like a new roof, fire damage, holes in the floors, termite damage, mold, etc. then you should just contact us and let us help!
Bad Photos
People use the internet to buy homes. Period. Especially now during the COVID pandemic. So please don’t overlook or skimp on this.
Few points to consider:
- Hire a real estate photographer – Houses that have professional photos sell faster and for more money. Yes, you have to pay for it, but it’s worth it.
- When interviewing agents, ask them about this. How do they recommend photos? A good agent will have a plan for this because they know houses with good photos sell. Don’t settle for an agent that only snaps a few photos of the outside of the house.
- To repeat, there should be NO clutter in the photos. Just clean it up. If your house looks cluttered in the photos, buyers are just going to click on the next house.
In our internet age, photos make or break your listing, and can mean thousands of dollars worth of difference for a relatively small cost and effort.
Your Agent Is Holding You Back
Not all agents are created equally. Some will go all out to sell your house, and some just got their license because they heard that it is an easy way to make a quick buck in today’s market. Do some reserach here.
We know a lot off great agents, so reach out to us here at Homeowner Help Today for help!
Title Issues
It can be very difficult to sell a property with liens or other title problems. Maybe you inherited the property, but it was never properly put in your name. (AKA, transfer without conveyance).
To sell a house in Atlanta do whatever you can to clear this up before you list it, because it will come up during due diligence and hold up or completely derail the process.