Has your home been sitting on the market for longer than you expected? Then there may be a few problems that need addressing. Whether it’s the price or the style, your home may need a few changes in order for it to sell. The following are just five reasons your home isn’t selling and what you can do about it.
The Price Is Too High
Relax, you don’t necessarily have to lower your price a drastic amount. Sometimes a small reduction will open your home to more buyers. For example, if your home is priced at $200,000, reduce the price to $199,000. It’s only a thousand dollar drop, but it will open the listing to those searching within that price range. If you have a real estate agent, discuss the best approach for a price reduction. If not, research the market and see what similar homes are currently selling for.
The Home Lacks Curb Appeal
Pictures of a gorgeous interior will certainly bring prospective buyers to your home, but poor curb appeal will leave a bad first impression. You don’t have to hire a gardener to spruce up the outdoor area. Clean the yard of dead leaves and plants. Scatter fresh mulch in the flower beds. Paint the porch and siding, if necessary, and simply tidy things up to make the home more appealing.
The Rooms Are Over-Personalized
If you’re still living in the home, the home may be too personalized, which can turn off buyers. Focus on packing up your belongings and painting the rooms a neutral color. You want the home to feel lived in and homey, but in a way that makes buyers feel at home, like they could move in right away. This is also a good time to declutter the home. Clutter makes the home appear like it doesn’t have enough storage.
The Rooms Are Empty
Another problem is when you’ve moved out of the home and the rooms are a blank slate. Some buyers have a hard time imaging how furniture placement would work in the room. If possible, leave unneeded pieces and decorate the room to feel inviting. Furniture can also be rented from a rent-to-own store and used until the home sells. This is a great way to decorate the home with the latest trends while sticking to a budget.
The Home Has Awkward Spaces
If your home has more than one living room or an awkward alcove, you need to address these areas so that buyers understand their usefulness. For example, decorate the alcove with a desk and small bookshelf for a home office and turn one of the living rooms into a family room.
Sometimes your home just needs a few minor changes to attract more buyers. These are some of the most common reasons homes sit for long periods of time, but are easily fixed with a bit of hard work and very little investment.
