Wednesday, August 20, 2014

The Listing Expired - Why didn't my house sell?


The Listing Expired – Why Didn't My House Sell?


 

Has your house been on the market for months or even years?  Has your listing expired?  Are you wondering why your house didn’t sell?  Out of the numerous possible reasons, here’s a few of the most important ones.

 

Asking Price Too High

I know what you’re thinking – “Here we go again….”, but the numbers speak for themselves.  Prescott area Market Research shows price reductions on a daily basis for 20-40 properties for sale.  That’s 20 to 40 Daily Price Reductions in the Prescott area.   At least sellers aren’t alone in wanting more and setting their initial asking price too high.  It’s a common misstep when listing a house for sale.

 

Industry experts have stated that the most common reason for a house not selling is Price.  Setting the asking price too high may cost you in the long run as your house sits on the market without any offers and may even lessen showing potential.  Pricing it correctly, what some sellers may even consider low, may actually bring multiple, and stronger offers.  Every seller has personal reasons for needing to sell including money.  Buyers also have their own set of personal reasons for needing to buy.  Personal motivations are just that, personal.   A Seller’s personal needs do not always drive the market and demand.  Keep emotions in check and have reasonable expectations on the value of your house so that you can meet the ultimate goal which is to sell it so that you can move on.  The most important piece of the selling puzzle is to Price Your House Correctly from the beginning.  It cannot be emphasized enough to be realistic in establishing the asking price for your home to get it sold. 

 

Condition

The condition of your house also plays a large part in attracting a buyer and determining the final sale price.  Some older houses may be considered ‘dated’ by their style, materials and finishes and may truly be in need of major renovations.  Potential renovations aside, simple deep cleaning, organizing, staging, packing, and landscape trimming may be all that is needed to meet the basic living conditions for potential buyers and to secure an offer.  Research indicates enhanced Curb Appeal can equal 50% fewer days on the market.  Put yourself outside looking in.  Drive by your house during the day and evening.  What do you see that would give a negative first impression or have positive appeal to potential buyers as they drive by?  Cutting back overgrown plants can make a huge difference in making a good first impression.

 

Do what you can to entice potential buyers to walk through the door, but don’t let them down once they get inside.  While sellers should keep their emotions in check in determining the asking price, they should play to the emotions of a buyer.  Sellers are selling a house but Buyers are searching for their next HOME.  Buyers need to see themselves living there and can’t always see past the current owner’s belongings.  The possibilities in the eyes of the buyer are high and their emotions play a big part in the decision to move forward with an offer. 

 

While seller’s may not always be able to renovate, they should follow through on as many basic preparations as possible to present a clean, fully functioning, ready-to-move-into home to match the correct asking price.  One of the toughest jobs Realtors have is to be brutally honest about the condition of a house and suggest de-cluttering and cleaning, but de-personalizing a house allows potential buyers to mentally move in.  Research shows that 83% of homes purchased were in either good or excellent condition.  The bottom line is to make it shine!

 

Lack of Exposure

The reason a house has not sold may have nothing to do with price or condition.  Lack of exposure plays a role as well.  Sellers who purchased 30, 20, even 10 years ago may not have a full understanding of today’s real estate marketing strategies.  While open houses and local print ads used to be the standard and may bring in a few local prospects, quality photographs and the Internet have a national and global reach. 

 

Effective online marketing should include syndication to websites outside of the local multiple listing service.  My Marketing Strategies include personalized attention to detail in preparing a syndication list to attract qualified buyers looking for your specific type of property.   Once a buyer finds a property that meets their basic location, price, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, Quality Photographs are the most important selling point via the Internet.  While features and description matter, the visual images seal the deal in taking action.  While Internet marketing may seem a bit abstract to sellers, Technology is the Key in marketing real estate today. 

 

You may have the wrong agent

It’s possible that your agent was not able to put in the time, be bold enough to make appropriate suggestions to you to prepare your house, follow up on showings, or provide a high quality digital marketing campaign necessary to sell your house.  It may be in your best interest to consider a new agent to get the personal attention your property needs to stand out and attract buyers.  While it may feel awkward to change agents, a new perspective can have positive results.

 

If you are serious about selling your house but the thought of putting another “For Sale” sign in your yard is making you anxious, please Contact Me for a No Obligation Consultation.   Call 928-275-1657 to ask any questions, and allow me to address your concerns and put your mind at ease. 



Luther Kraxberger, REALTOR

Keller Williams Check Realty

E-mail luther@kw.com or Call 928-275-1657 for information on Buyer's Representation Services

Search Yavapai County MLS for FREE at luther.kwrealty.com/search

Selling a Home in Prescott AZ?  Get a FREE report on YOUR HOME's Value at luther.kwrealty.com/sell/

Hire a positive and proactive Realtor to sell your home and remember to www.ShopPrescottHomes.com!



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