Has your Edmonton home been on the market for weeks or even months with little to no buyer interest? Worse yet, have you invested time and money into the sale of your home with nothing to show for it but an expired listing?
We’re here to help.
Here are the top six reasons why your home may not be selling.
1. You’re Asking Too Much
We understand you love your home. You’ve no doubt put an immeasurable amount of time, love, money and maintenance into the property, which has, in turn, delivered countless great memories.
For these reasons, it's not uncommon to see a disconnect between what a home seller thinks their home is worth and what it’s actually worth according to Edmonton market conditions. Simply put, market conditions reflect what home buyers are willing to pay for your home within a 30-90 period – which is why it's critical to price your home accordingly if you hope to attract buyers, sell quickly and for the most money possible.
2. You’re Not Accommodating Buyers
Speaking of attracting home buyers, it's important to remain as flexible as possible when it comes to scheduling showings. Once your home is listed, you may have to drop everything at a moment’s notice to accommodate a last-minute buyer appearance.
It’s not always convenient to keep your home in pristine condition and have to pack up the entire family (yes, pets too) with little warning, but it will improve your chances of selling your home.
Note: When working with a REALTOR®, they will organize showings around your schedule
3. You Don’t Have the Right Exposure
Any REALTOR® will tell you that exposure is key to a speedy and profitable home sale. This means if you want to attract buyers to your property, you need to find and market to them where they’re currently at – online.
Beyond the basic MLS listing and “FOR SALE” sign, this includes promoting your home through virtual tours, online advertising, social media and other digital platforms to ensure your property stands out.
4. Your Listing Photos Leave Something to Be Desired
Here again, most people do their house-hunting online. Even if your home appears magazine-worthy in person, blurry, dimly lit and awkwardly angled photos will turn home buyers off - in fact, they may skip your listing altogether.
When it comes to real estate, first impressions are everything, so be sure to make a good one with a series of professional quality real estate photos that honestly and attractively display your home’s best features.
5. Your Home is In Poor Condition
This may include obvious problems such as missing, warped or cracked shingles, damaged or missing siding, signs of water ingress, cracks in the foundation etc. Even if your home is in relatively good shape, poor curb appeal (i.e. an overgrown yard), clutter, foul odours, and a general lack of cleanliness and staging will cause home buyers to question the overall condition of your home.
At the very minimum, you’ll want to address any significant repairs, clean your home from top to bottom and employ a few simple home staging tips to make your home more appealing to buyers.
6. You Haven’t Partnered With an Expert
From coming up with the right asking price to marketing your home, scheduling showings, staging, negotiating with other REALTORS®, tackling paperwork and everything in between, selling your home can be a stressful and complicated process. Even worse, inexperience in any one of these areas can cost you tens of thousands of dollars on the sale of your home.
Our solution?
Consider partnering with an experienced Edmonton REALTOR®. Here’s why:
- Real-estate is their full-time job (selling your home is their top priority)
- They will help position your home correctly in the Edmonton market (potentially allowing you to sell for more than you originally anticipated)
- They will attract the right home buyers to your property with a fully comprehensive marketing plan (you won’t have to worry about a thing)
- They will assist you with staging advice and suggest simple, affordable ways to increase your home’s value
- They know how to network (from lawyers and home inspectors to home movers and contractors, your REALTOR® has the connections you need)
- They will do the heavy lifting when it comes to negotiating with buyers, dealing with paperwork, timing the market, etc.
- They are emotionally unbiased and will keep you on the right track (ensuring a seamless, stress-free and profitable home sale)
- And much more!
See my previous post: 6 Great Reasons to Choose a REALTOR®
Are you thinking about selling your Edmonton home? Find out what property is worth today with the help of my FREE Home Evaluation. And, don’t forget to check out our top-rated home seller tips!
Photo credits: shutterstock.com