Let's pretend you are on the game show "FAMILY FEUD" your up with the host in front of thousands of TV viewers expected to answer a question with the best answers to bring in the BIG win for your family.  Your shaking in your boots~~~~ your trying to convince yourself  your mind WON'T go blank when he throws the question out there.   The clock starts ticking and there it is ~~~~  "THE WINNING QUESTION"

NAME THE TOP 10 REASONS A HOUSE DOESN'T SELL...

  1. PRICE

There isn't a house that the right price won't sell.  That's right ... make sure your competitive in your market and stay on top of appropriate price reductions.  Don't ride the market or you are sure to fail.   Price correctly from the starting gate and you'll be pulling in the offers over your competitors. Remember:  You cannot sell the house for what you NEED to NET  only for what the House is WORTH in today's market.  The SALES of like homes will dictate this and the numbers do not lie. If your intent is to sell for way above market value because you need or want to NET a certain number do not list your home it WON'T sell. 

   2.  CLEANLINESS

If you are going to welcome in buyers consider them guests.  When we have guests we want everything to be in order and show well .If your not a clean freak ~~ that's O.K.  Hire a cleaning service.  It's worth the investment.

   3.  CLUTTER

This is a big one.  Sometimes we let papers, magazines, bills and clutter in general pile up in certain places and don't "see it anymore" we are so used to it being there.    A  buyer does not want to see your latest edition of Sports Illustrated or how much you have on your Macy's bill.  Put these items away in place that are easily accessible to you but out of sight.  Same goes for the 10 hair gels, and 15 shampoos laying on the bathroom vanity.  Clean counters, a plant or two, decorative knick knacks to a minimum is all you need.  The buyers are sizing up your counter space to see if it is sufficient to there needs.  Don't clutter it up so it looks smaller. 

 4.  LOCATION

If you live on a main busy street, in an area with commercial property, power plants, etc.  The only thing you can do is adjust your price to compensate for these obsolescence.   There is nothing you can do to change these facts. You must offer the home at the right price so compensate.   Your target market may also change.  Your buyer may be an invester looking for a rental property who does ot care so much about the busy street as long as the house works out to be a good addition to his portfolio. 

 5.  CURB APPEAL

  Does your house have overgrown landscaping, tall grass, chipped paint, broken light fixtures?
The first thing a buyer sees are your homes pictures prior to viewing.   If the curb appeal is lacking compared to the competition what do you think the buyer will do?   SKIP.... your listing and view the others in your neighborhood.   You want them inside your home so that you have more of a chance to SELL the hosue.  So make any necessary repairs to the outside and freshen it up.   If your not sure how the house looks ask some friends or neighbors for there opinion.


   6. DECOR

   Same as curb appeal.  What is the buyers initial reaction when they walk into your home?   there are certain colors that have been know to offend buyers.  If you like canary yellow walls with ruby trim that does not mean that the vast majority of buyers will.  Neutral, Neutral, Neutral always wins.  You might think it's boring but believe me your home will show better.   If you have dated wallpaper you can remove it or the buyer will remove digits from the offering price.  When buyers see dated wallpaper the first thing they say is "wow, that's a lot of work to take off"  there goes your offer price.  They will reduce to compensate for the work they have to do or hire out to do.

  7.  SHOWING AVAILABILITY

   No one said that selling was convenient.  If you want to sell your home ALWAYS be ready, ALWAYS be flexible, and ALWAYS say yes to a buyers agent request.   If you turn away potential buyers your house will sit longer driving up the days on the market and possibly not get shown at all.  

 8.  WEAK MARKETING

   Is your home advertised all over the internet?   If not you have a problem.  That is where the buyers are.  85% of buyers search onlne before they call an agent to view.  You need to be in front of your buyers.   


9.   SIZE / AGE

  This is a common one.  You cannot change the homes age, size, or floor plan.  It is what it is but you can change how it shows and the price to attract buyers who may be searching for there first home and may not mind a smaller 2 bedroom as long as it's in budget.  Offering a home warranty to buyers also helps to alleviate fears of failing appliances and A/C systems.

 10.  ODORS

 It always hard to tell a seller a home has a bad odor.  Smoke, Old rugs, pets, etc cause some homes to retain a weird smell.  If this is the case we suggest removing  the rugs or having them cleaned, hiring a cleaning service or offering the buyer a credit for a service to come in and clean the air conditioning coils and air to combat smoke smells.  Air fresheners, candles, fresh baked cookies can also help to combat some smells.  


Jackie Maurer GRI
Realtor
Century 21Sunbelt Realty
239-565-5082
Jacquelineshomes@aol.com
www. JackieMaurer.com

*Licensed in the State of Florida.