Some possible factors that may be causing an issue to potential buyers and how to resolve them to get the best offer possible!
I have written a blog on how to maximise your chances of selling your home quickly and for the price you want. However, if your house has been up for sale for a while and still not sold – read on to see what the problems may be!
TOO EXPENSIVE?
The most obvious factor to first consider is: Is the price right? If no viewings have been booked at all, then it could mean the sale price is just too high. The agent will get a feeling for that and advise accordingly. Did you price it higher than they suggested? Or did you ask several and go with an agent that quoted the highest? The initial quantity of viewings booked is definitely the first indicator of this.
DO YOU HAVE A GOOD ESTATE AGENT?
The second most important factor is whether the agent is actually doing the job to the best of their abilities. If they are conducting viewings – are they engaging with viewers and being helpful? Do they answer their office phones promptly or does it often ring out?
If it is yourself conducting viewings – are you confident you are selling your property to a good standard or are you putting people off without realising?
Beyond these 2 key factors, the problem could be the house itself. It could be worth the asking price (or slightly under) but it isn’t being shown to its best potential. This paired with possibly a bad time of year or a particularly difficult property market (usually economy related) then it has quite a few extra hurdles to overcome.
SOME ISSUES TO CONSIDER:
POOR QUALITY PHOTOGRAPHS:
Did you or your agent take the photographs? Are they bright, clear resolution and taken from flattering angles? There is no point having a room look huge if it isn’t, but if the photo is just of a bath rather than the bathroom, it isn’t selling it to its full potential. Try to see the photographs with fresh eyes and check whether it portrays the property well enough.
UNTIDY:
Is the house messy? This may seem trivial as people are buying the property rather than possessions but it makes it much harder to visualise it as their new dream home when it isn’t presented well.
BAD SMELLS:
You may not even realise it yourself but.. does your home smell nice? Or at least, does it not actively smell bad? Smokey and damp smelly are probably two of the biggest turn-offs but strong pet smells, general unhygienic smells or strong food odours are all a big negative and could be preventing people from showing interest.
OBVIOUS REPAIRS REQUIRED:
Even if viewers have noted repairs and you don’t consider them to be serious flaws, it can suggest that the property is not well looked after and will have more hidden issues. This is off-putting, particularly to those who want to move into a property that requires minimal work.
CONFUSED ROOMS:
A bedroom needs to be staged as a bedroom in order to give the best possible impression. If it is a chaotic mismatch and doesn’t appropriately show how well the space could be used, it may cause viewers to question its overall appeal. For example; assuming it would have to be a single bed space instead of a double bed and so on. This also goes for other confused spaces including lounges, dining rooms etc.
Try and work out whether any of these factors may be causing an issue and hopefully you will see an improvement!
Let me know your thoughts! Have you found this helpful? Is there anything you would add to it?
Leave a comment below – Would love to hear from you!
Remember to seek professional advice at all key stages – this is just my opinion!