Has your Northern Virginia house has been sitting on the market so long the 'For Sale' sign has plants growing up the post?  If so you may want to step back and take another look at the basic marketing principals of Price, Promotion and Presentation

PRICE

Houses priced to high are not going to sell in any market and especially a slower market as we are currently experiencing in Northern Virginia.  If your agent gave you a realistic range for what you could expect but you insisted on going higher don't waste anymore time.  Take another look at what other houses in your neighborhood are selling for (including seller concessions) and rethink your pricing strategy.

Remember that there are different individuals who will look at the value of your home during the selling process. 

PROMOTION

In the past most buyers got in their car and drove through the neighborhoods they were interested and when they saw the FOR SALE sign they picked up the phone and called the listing agent.  In today's market the buyers are sitting in front of their computer looking for houses on line.  It doesn't matter whether they are 25 or 65 that is where they are starting their search.  The more pictures (good quality), maps that show the location of your property, room sizes (it is amazing how many listings leave this out) and neighborhood information the better.

Make sure that your home is listed on more than just the MLS.  If your agent isn't posting your home on multiple websites find out why.  In this market it is important to have cross exposure not only with major websites such as Realtor.com but company site, local sites and agent sites.

PRESENTATION

It should go without saying that your home needs to be in showing condition before you put it on the market.  First impressions are everything.  Make sure that you have gone through every room and de-cluttered your space.  If you were planning on throwing it out before you moved then go ahead and do it now.   One of the best options available today for helping you clear your space are PODS.  They can be delivered to your home, you pack up all your excess gear and they take it away (don't leave it sitting in the driveway). 

If you have pets make sure that they are contained, if you smoke take it outside and be careful with cooking odors.  Finally make sure the paint is fresh, the towels are clean and the toilet seats down!

INTANAGABLES

Unfortunately for some sellers there may also be a few other less known factors that can slow the sale of their home.  Access to the property is one of those.  If your home can only be shown by appointment only then it will usually go to the bottom of the listings.  If there are 25 houses similar to yours for sale with a lockbox on the front door those are the ones that will be shown first. 

Finally a factor that doesn't get mentioned often due to the Realtors code of ethics is the ability to contact the listing agent.  If your agent has a reputation of not returning calls or being difficult to negotiate with then your home may not be shown as often as it should because agents do not want to go through the hassle of dealing with the other agent.

So take a few minutes and go back through your house looking at it as a buyer would.  Make sure that it is in showing condition, recheck your price and talk to your agent again to make sure that your home is getting the exposure it needs to stand out in today's market.