The Denver real estate market is rocking and it seems like a no-brainer that your home will sell quickly. The neighbor's home was under contract within a week so yours should go as well...for even more, right? You put your house up for sale and wait...and wait...and...wait. What is wrong? Why is your home not selling?
1. Your Home is Priced too High. This is usually the number one reason why you are not having movement on your home. Many sellers have an emotional attachment to their home however buyers are not bonded to your home. It is an investment to them. Many times sellers think if they list higher then they will be able to negotiate the price when a lower offer is made. This tends to backfire on the seller. It is often better to list at or even a bit below the true value of the home, especially in a seller's market. Let the buyers raise the price and they often will.
2. Your House Needs Work. Even in a "seller's market," buyers who want to a fixer-upper are not that common. Most buyers want a "turn-key" home with no or just a few things to fix up. Even small fixes can make a huge difference in the view of a buyer. If the numbers on the front of the house merely need a nail to fix the "6" from falling down and being a "9," buyers might wonder what else has been neglected in the home. Fix fixtures, make sure the lightbulbs all work, and make sure the front yard looks good. First impressions do matter.
3. Your Home is Too Personalized. You want the buyers to see themselves living in your home. If you have family photos all over the house, the buyers still picture you living there and not themselves. Make the house neutral. Colors should be basic and not extreme. Often times, fewer is better with regard to decorations on fireplace mantels, shelves, and nightstands.
4. You Refuse to Be Flexible. Sellers need to be flexible with showing times and days. The more people who see your home, the more likely your buyer will walk through the door. Some people only have weekends and evenings to see a home. Plan somewhere to go to take the kids, pets, and get out of the home for a bit when there are showings. The less flexible you are in allowing potential buyers into your home, the more likely your home will stay on the market longer. The longer on the market usually means less money.
5. Your Home is Cluttered. You want the buyer to see the home and not the "stuff." Just clearing things out can make a home seem bigger and brighter. The clutter also goes back to how the buyer may see how you have taken care of the home - if you have clutter did you ignore the home and any issues that may have come up? Decluttering is one of the least expensive things you can do to get your home ready to put on the market. You will need to clean up and get rid of things before you move. Why not do it before it is listed?
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