Why Won't My House Sell?

First, the listing agent speaks and whispers to the seller.

Then the market starts speaking to the seller.

The message is the same, the volume may be different.  Ultimately, the seller gets to listen, they can choose to hear or not hear; just as they can choose to sell or not sell.

I've also a seen the same market speak to buyers, likewise they get to also listen and hear, or not hear.

If a seasoned agent cannot move a product, the problem lies eslewhere...

Hi Patricia

Congratulations on a well-deserved feature that addresses an age old issue that we see all the time. Fortunately this sort of advice doesn't always fall on deaf ears but sometimes it hard to convince sellers about how the house may appear to buyers, and for them to take the necessary steps. And a competitive market makes it harder since they think it won't matter since the inventory is low and demand is high!

Jeff

Follow up that list with uncompromising positions on move-out, who the seller will sell to, etc . . .

Congratulations on your feature recognition. This is excellent information to share with home sellers.

Congratulations on your feature star!!! I loved the part where the seller drives around. I had a seller with binoculars and would go up the hill and watch us... they thought I didnt know... I couldnt help myself one time we all went on the deck and waved!!! fun times!

Great job!  The worst "seller follower" I ever had was a lady who insisted on following me and my buyer around the house.  In the backyard, which backed to a pond, she gleefully talked about the alligators that come up in the afternoon to sun themselves, apparently never taking into consideration the 8 month old I was holding and the 3 year old the buyer had by the hand.  When we got in the car, he said, "you know, alligators and children don't mix well"

Patricia,

What you have opined, in a cumulative sense, has a great influence as to why some homes languish in what can be described as, "market internment". Client apathy towards the initiation of  suggestions or sales strategy offered by their realtor, is the single greatest factor which can nullify the sale of one's home. Today's society, with assistance from the Internet, creates the preception, that just about anybody can become an expert on almost any subject. Clients who routinely seek advice from their doctor, accountant, lawyer or golf pro, seem, in a majority of cases, to ignore the suggestions and strategies presented by their realtor, but then wonder why their home does not sell. Getting throught to clients is often times problematic, "It's not the messenger but the message you don't comprehend Mr. Client.....Is probably the number one challenge realtor's continue to deal with. For a growing number of our clients....."they can't see the forest for the trees?"

Dear Patricia,

Yes ma'am. Those are some big ones. I love, when people contact me months ahead of time. That gives them a lot of time to sort & organize, especially if they have been in their home for a few decades. Some of my clients even planted a bunch of daffodils in the fall. It looked very pretty in the spring. The house sold quickly & for a good price.

An old saying comes to mind: You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. Some sellers get it eventually and some never do. And then there are those that say they want to sell but do they really when they won't do anything you suggest. Sometimes you just have walk away. 

Love reading all the funny stories that everyone has. We could all write a book about the things we have seen and heard. Congratulations on the feature. 

Many sellers think the agent is in control--but it's the seller's home!  I am always explaining that I am here to suggest, to market, to show you the facts of what is happening in your area re: real estate.  It takes teamwork!

Wow love this post and congratulations on your Feature Patricia they do not hand them out like they used to:)) you really have to earn it:)). Real Estate is a Team Sport indeed, Endre

YES!  Of course #6 Hire a Stager is my favorite! LOL

Congratulations on a well deserved Feature!

Your point about clinging reminded me of trying to shop in a small boutique that was in our town (briefly).

With few customers, the sales person would follow you around, trying to be "Helpful." I don't think I ever did purchase anything in that store.

Great post, yet many agents succumb to the seller's terms and conditions to sell their property simply to secure the listing and hoping to convert them to being cooperative and acceptable to a strategy that produces a sale. That's like a patient instructing a doctor how to perform surgery, isn't it?

Some Sellers are determined they will go out singing, "I Did It My Way"