So, you’re finally ready to move into a new home, you’ve put your house on the market and you’re full of anticipation, waiting patiently for the viewings and offers to come rolling in. But then the weeks and maybe even months passed by, and the viewings are rare, and no one has made even a hint of an offer. So, what went wrong in trying to sell your house fast? And how can you get the ball rolling again?
Below are 5 reasons why your home isn’t selling quickly, and how you can make the necessary changes to get a sale.
Your property is nowhere near ready to be sold.
Now, this may seem a little harsh, but your house is a mess and it’s putting off potential buyers. Remember when it comes to selling your home, first impressions count.
Take a long hard look around your home, maybe ask a family member or friend to help, you may feel that it’s ok, but be honest with yourself, is it ready for the public to see? Could it do with a little makeover? Nothing too big just a few adjustments to spruce things up.
Make any minor repairs to things like broken door handles, kitchen draws and cupboards. Check any tiles are not loose and light fittings are not broken. Make sure that you give your windows a good clean, so they sparkle and if you have a garden cut the grass and trim any trees or bushes. Tidy the front of the house and your driveway if you have one making sure that wheelie bins are not so visible.
Clear away any clutter, potential buyers don’t need to see your laundry or kid’s toys laying around or cramped cupboards with unused Tupperware spilling out. Lastly, for a small cost give the house a lick of paint, this can make such a huge difference, where you can change dark paint to a lighter colour to make your place feel bright and spacious
Your photographs aren’t doing your home any justice
Look at sites such as Rightmove or Zoopla, which images catch your eyes? What’s the quality of those photos like? A poor photo can deter any potential buyer before they’ve even set foot inside your front door.
If your budget allows for it then you may want to invest in a professional photographer, if not, don’t be afraid to be critical of your estate agent’s photography. Work with them to suggest alternative shots and make sure all of your best rooms are on show.
Pricing yourself out of the market
Your potential buyers will have done their research before they started looking for their new abode, so they will know exactly how much similar houses within the same or comparable area are on the market for.
It’s easy to be swayed by an eager agent who sold you a tale or two about how much they can get you for your property. But if a property is well above the ceiling price, then it will fail to get any buyers through the door or it will leave you with people only interested in viewing your home to see why it’s valued at such a high price with no intention of making an offer.
The price you set at the start can dictate the sale process, launch too high and you run the risk of alienating a lot of your potential buyers and outing them off for good.
Shop around and get a good range of valuations, don’t go too cheap or too expensive, instead opt for something in between. Price your property right, right from the start so you get the interest and offers that you deserve.
You hired the wrong estate agent
Do you have a great relationship with your current estate agent? This may not be something you think about initially, but ultimately having a good relationship with your estate agent will go a long way.
But beyond having a good relationship, ask yourself if they’re the right ones to sell your home? Don’t be afraid to shop around, invest in at least 3 estate agents to present you with their marketing plans for your property (floor plans, photographs etc).
Their plans should include full details of any proposed advertising with the property portals your house will be available to view on. Also, check what kind of services they will provide you with for example, will they be conducting viewings, or will they leave it to you? How many relevant buyers do they have on their books, and will they notify them of your property?
Don’t be afraid to ask for their credentials as well, many estate agents will be members of a trade body meaning they have to comply with certain codes of conduct and may indicate that they have a higher level of professionalism and diligence.
Trade bodies to look out for are Guild of Property Professionals, National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
You just have the wrong time of year
Lastly, it’s not you, it’s just the time of the year is all wrong. The market is far more buoyant at certain times of the year and for different types of buyers as well. Retirees tend to plan for summer moves whereas families plan for Spring or Autumn moves.
So, putting your house on the market at Christmas will mean that’s less of a demand to buy. But also factor in things such as economic uncertainty with things such as Brexit which will have a huge impact on the market. So, if you are in a position to do so you may want to consider delaying your move until the market picks up again.
If you are looking to sell your property and are looking for a quick sale, then please don’t hesitate to contact Sell House Fast Liverpool, and one of our team will be able to assist you in helping you achieve a quick sale.
