4 main reasons a home will sit on the market

It’s not a seller’s dream scenario: you put your house on the market, hoping for a quick sale — but you haven’t received any offers and showing requests have been few and far between, leaving you to ask: Why?

There are 4 main reasons a home will sit on the market:

• Condition.
If your home needs some TLC, it can lead to a lack of buyer interest. Most buyers in the market today are what I like to call “HGTV buyers” — they don’t have the time, money, or skill to do repairs and take on large projects, and would prefer something move-in ready. Most buyers in general want to move right in and avoid taking on projects. It might be time to consider some cosmetic upgrades such as a fresh coat of paint, swapping out dated lighting fixtures, and minor bathroom or kitchen renovations. Often, simple repairs can make a big difference.

• Location.
One of the most important factors for buyers and the value of your property is location. Think school district, busy road, neighborhood, outdoor space, etc. Location, unfortunately, cannot be changed, so it holds a lot of value. That could be the answer to your problem, which means you might need to rethink your price.

• Marketing.
How does your home look online? Your online presence should entice people to schedule a private tour. How your home looks online is crucial to how many people are seeing it.

• Price.
At the end of the day, the price your home is listed at is the factor that is going to make or break whether or not your home sells. Always price your home in line with the market. It’s never a good idea to go above value “just to see what happens”… this can backfire badly and cause your home to sit on the market longer, and net you less than you would have if you priced it correctly from the start.