Why Hasn't My House Sold?
Home sellers are very concerned when their home has been on the market for some time. The offers presented, if any, have been too low to even consider. The home hasn't sold. Quite naturally they want to know "what's wrong?"
The Boulder County housing market is active and homes are selling. Interest rates are down and neighboring homes have sold. "Why haven't I had a serious offer", "Should I take my house off the market?", Should I change Realtors?"
PRICE: There is a selling price for every property. If the market is showing little interest in your property, the price is probably too high for this market. Reviewing your asking price is the most difficult, painful and personal part of answering the question, "Why aren't we getting any action". Get fresh comparable sales in your area. Forget the asking prices of homes that aren't selling. Those are the "wishful sellers with wish prices." Check out the homes that are selling. Your home must be priced to meet the market in your neighborhood.
TERMS: How flexible are you really prepared to be? Can you offer Owner Financing or a Quick Closing (30 days or less)?
APPEARANCE: Remember, "Even your best friends won't tell you!" A good Realtor will level with you. Listen to your Realtor, or call a third party staging expert in for objective opinion and advice. You will need to remove your personal feelings and emotions about your home (along with some of your most prized possessions and bric-a-brac). Be prepared to paint, clip, cut, clean, deodorize, send to storage, toss out, caulk, mow, paper, cement, repair, add, scoop, weed, tear down, and scrub. Paying attention to these things will make the difference between a For Sale or Sold sign in your yard.
ATMOSPHERE: Leave the house when it's being shown and take the dog and children with you. If you must be home don't chat with the buyers, just disappear. Play quiet, soothing music. Be careful of cooking odors. Turn on all the lights and open the blinds and shades. Put fresh flowers on the table. Have fresh "show" towels in the bathrooms (unused).
BE PATIENT: Today's buyers are tough but every market offers opportunity. Seek your real estate professional's advice. Put together an aggressive program and then act on it. Properly priced, packaged and presented homes are selling. Yours will too!