6 Things to Do If Your Home Isn't Selling

We live in a society of immediacy and have come to expect things to happen right away. But, some things take time and with a little nudge here and there, the process could be sped up.

Selling a home is emotionally taxing. We’ve come to believe when the home is well-priced, in a good location and the owner is amped up for selling it, the house will sell in days of hitting the market. Sometimes, it’s not that easy since a lot of variables could be at work.

If your home isn’t selling, there’s no need to panic. There are a few things you can do to help the situation. Here are a few of them.

Listen to your agent. No one knows the market better than your real estate salesperson. An experienced agent will know your neighbourhood inside and out. He or she can bring up comparable properties that have sold in the recent past. It’s likely your agent has sold homes in different markets, so really listen to what he or she has to say about marketing and price.

Re-think your asking price. If your home has been on the market for a few months with no offers, it might be time to lower the list price. Doing that may rekindle interest and increase activity.

A little improvement goes a long way. You might want to repaint that bright red room or finish the trim in the living room. If you’re considering making improvements, they will be even more noticed in the kitchen and bathrooms. Replacing old fixtures, updating hardware and maybe changing out the light fixtures are places to start.

Brighter is better. Keeping your colour scheme neutral is important when selling your home. You might love that dark purple in the entranceway, but most people are more apt to be enticed by a dove gray, taupe or even white. Lighten things up by taking down old blinds and/or curtains to let the natural light in.

Create an unforgettable first impression. Pay some attention to the outside of your home. Agents can’t stress enough how curb appeal matters. Trim hedges, plant flowers, paint your weather-worn door. Declutter and re-design your home’s outer image.

Buyer incentives. You might be able to sweeten the deal a bit by offering something to prospective buyers like paying for their moving expenses or lawyer’s fees. Give them something extra to grab their attention. Be creative and motivated. Buyers will feel that.