Is your property starting to gather cobwebs, sitting endlessly on the market? There could be many factors at play—some beyond your control, but others might just need a bit of tweaking. Sometimes, it’s the small, overlooked details that hold back a sale, leaving potential buyers asking, “What’s going on here?” Let’s explore the common (and sometimes surprising) reasons why some homes won’t sell, and what you can do to break the cycle.
Why Some Homes Won’t Sell
They insist on an unrealistic price even though market value is much lower.
The price you want and what the market will pay can be two very different things. If the home is listed at too high a price, buyers will not be interested—and the longer it sits on the market, the more it starts to look like there’s something wrong with it. Setting the right price on the property is very important; it may actually prompt multiple offers, which can drive the price up higher!
They refuse to pack up their clutter and remove personal items
This is one of the first things to do before listing your home. See through the eyes of potential buyers and make them feel like they want to start a new life in your home. Nobody wants a space that is cluttered and filled with other people’s stuff. A home free of clutter sends a certain message to buyers and it makes it easier for buyers to imagine their lifestyle there.
They may have items in the home that could offend buyers
“Start with removing all personal items, and anything political or religious.” says Roh Habibi of Million Dollar Listing San Francisco. For your home to be more pleasing to a wider audience, keep stuff that’s showing any strong opinions or eccentricities out of sight: this includes inappropriate posters, political or religious items or signs among other things.
Sellers want to include personal property and overvalue the personal property.
Selling the home that you loved and had so many beautiful memories in can be quite emotional. And that makes it harder to make objective decisions when it comes to value. Often times, sellers insist on including personal property in the sale—personal property with sentimental value which far outweighs the book value on the items.
The home isn’t clean
We tidy up when guests and friends come over, right? We want to impress them and make them feel welcome and happy to stay. So much more when you’re selling your home! Make sure that the place has been swept, floors and furniture polished, and the beds are made, among other things.
They stay home during the showings
What is supposed to be an informative tour of your home can quickly turn into an awkward contact if the seller is home during the showings. Surely, sellers mean well by pointing out features, but buyers are likely to feel uncomfortable because they cannot explore in their own way at their own pace. Let the agent lead the showing and take care of the rest.
Feeling a bit unsure about how to prepare your home for the market? You’re not alone, especially if it’s your first time selling. At Broadpoint Properties, the agents are here to guide you through every step of getting your home ready and listed, helping to address common reasons why some homes won’t sell. From prepping your space to navigating the sales process, they’ll ensure everything is handled smoothly and efficiently. Connect with our agents here.