My House Is Listed For Sale.  Why Won't It Sell?  Can  You Say OUCH?? 

Your house has been listed for sale for months and there have been no offers.  In the beginning, there were a few scheduled showings, and a few neighbors stopped by at the open house.  Carol your next door neighbor gave you some advice.  She reminded you not to settle for anything under $X00, 000 because that's what homes are selling for in this neighborhood.  Another neighbor Bob congratulated you on all of the fine improvements that you made to the home. 

 

So Why Won't It Sell??

 If you are reading this, chances are that you have a home that won't sell.  What I am going to say next might sting a little.....but SOMEONE has got to tell you the truth.....so here goes.

 Say OUCH

 O is for Overpriced

 You got it overpriced.  Any house in any condition will sell at the right price.  If your home has been on the market for more than 6 months and you have not received any offers....there is a chance that it's overpriced.   There are even better chances that it's overpriced by a lot.  If a house is overpriced, but not by much, you still stand a chance of getting an offer (even if it is a low ball offer).  Oh....one last thing, pay no attention to what your neighbor Carol is telling you.  She said houses sell for a certain price in your neighborhood. If she really knew what she was talking about, she would tell you that she is referring to the listing price.  The most important figure to study is what houses actually sold for in your neighborhood.  Not the listing price. 

 

U is for UGLY

 

At this point, you must be thinking...."Leander can't be talking about MY home".  The truth is....maybe I am.  Bob congratulated you on your fine home improvements.  What he said to Carol after you turned your back was ...."Can you believe that crap he put in that house....I wouldn't buy that in a million years". 

 

Even though buyers are looking for bargains, buyers have limited imagination.  They have a hard time imagining their modern furniture in your country lodge decorated home.....or vice versa.  When I give a listing presentation,  I hate to see that has been very personalized.  I say that because it appears to me that only a small percentage of homebuyers may like that style. I also hate that I have to tell the homeowners that they may want to paint over the ducks and take down the country décor, get rid of the black walls, get rid of the mirror  tiles and rip up the white shag carpet..

 

When you are selling your home, try to make it look as neutral as possible. Remember, it's not your home anymore.....it's the new buyer's (the ones you are hoping to find).

 C is for Competition

 

There are lots of homes available for sale these days.  In Burlington Township, NJ, we have over 12 months supply.   If your home is overpriced and doesn't show well (the nice way to say ugly) and faces competition from better priced nicer looking homes.......do you really expect it to sell??

 H is for Highway

This section should have been titled L for location, but that would have messed my acronym.  If you're home is in a bad location, there is nothing you can do about that. However, if you have it priced right, fixed up nicely so that it competes well, you have a better chance at selling. 

 So what should you do now.  Well if you live in Burlington or Camden County, NJ the answer is simple....text, email or call me today. Set up an appointment for a consultation.  As a Realtor and Real Estate Consultant, I specialize in helping prepare their homes for sale.  One of my recent listings had an offer in 21 days and settled within 60 days of the listing.  Results may vary in your particular case.  But if you are looking to sell, why not give it your best shot.

 

Have a Great Day

And

Make This YOUR Best Year Ever


Leander McClain, Burlington Township Realtor & Real Estate Consultant, EXIT Buyers Plus Realty, 15 E. Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016 609-505-6578(cell)
 
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24 Comments on My House Won't Sell. What Now? Can You Say OUCH?

FEB
03

Good article and I love your acronym.  (It's great to see a fellow Burl. Cty Realtor on the "front page"!)

Pam Engle
7:58pm • #1
3 Featured Posts

Leander, great post! I love the acronym, too. And you share some great thoughts about the sometimes painful truths we need to get across to sellers!

8:36pm • #2
152,522 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Leander - Excellent summary of the primary reasons that a house won't sell.  While nothing is guaranteed, sellers who take your advice sertainly give themselves the best oppportunity to get to the closing table.

8:51pm • #3
454,362 Points 13 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Leander - This is the term that I am fond of, there is nothing in real estate that price can't fix.  If priced right even an ugly house can sell.  The trick is getting the homeowner to accept the pricing.

9:09pm • #4
208,044 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Evening Leander,  You cover all the bases of why some houses sit on the market for so long !

9:41pm • #5
121,287 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Excellent post Leander. Many times it's hard for seller's to take a truly objective look at their property. Hopefully this will help to open some eyes.

10:02pm • #6

I absolutely loved your post!  It made me laugh and smile and feel good that someone still tells it like it is.  Thanks. 

 

 

10:47pm • #7
FEB
04
1 Featured Post

Honestly, Leander, the photo MADE your post AND your point.  Very nice!  Unfortunately, Sellers often have a different perception and see their homes as Cinderella's Glass Slipper or Dorothy's Ruby Shoes.   ;-)

Randy Hooker

12:06am • #9

Hi Leander,

Great post! Had me nodding my head all the way through. If I lived in your neighbourhood I would call you!

Michelle Finnamore advantagestaging.ca
5:24am • #10
Outside Blog

Leander, well put and you get an A for not holding your tongue.  Hopefully the selleres take this to heart and you will see more closings.

6:28am • #12

Leander, Very on the mark.  Price is so important when there are issues with the house.  In a case like that, I would offer a staging consultation to the seller, which I would pay for, with a signed listing contract and a price we would agree to.  It is always easier to have someone else say the necessary things that have to be said regarding their decor or their housekeeping skills. 

Rosemary Scalera

Century21 McLennan & Co.

Haverhill, MA

Rosemary Scalera
9:16am • #13
4 Featured Posts Hit Router

Thanks everyone for your comments. I think that some Realtors (certainly not anyone here) are not fair to their clients.  We have all probablyshown the listing that is known as the "stinky house".  Now why didn't that Realtor share the problem with his/her clients.  I actually had a listing once that was the stinky house.  Did I tell my client what the problem was....absolutely (in a nice way).  Did I help her fix the problem?  Absolutely.  Why would you not spend $100-200 to fix a problem that is going to earn you much more than that in commission?  I just don't get it.

Have a great day

Make This YOUR Best Year Ever

Leander

10:22am • #14

I liked your post a lot. I have an OUCH listing right now. Ouch!

10:28am • #15

Leander, Right on the money. I have had a seller like this as I'm sure all of us have. I've also had a buyer that really loved a home and perfect location but needed many updates. The buyer has come back 5 times to look at it. The seller still refuses to see the need to REALLY lower the price instead of a littlle bit in tiny increments.therefore they lost the only buyer that was really very viable.   They,the buyers couldn't even low ball it without offering $200,000 less! Some sellers just can't see what's happening in the market when it comes to THEIR home. Thanks,Susan

10:58am • #16

Hi Leander,

Great comments and right on the money.  I would also suggest working with a Stager.  Many of us are quite comfortable being the "bad guys" and finding constructive ways to track the home owner in the right direction.  I don't know if you have anyone in your area that you can work with, but I do online consultations if you have any questions - wynndesigns@gmail.com or 770-330-3693.  Good luck with all your listings!

Dana Dollar-Wynn, wynn Designs & Staging

Dana Dollar-Wynn
11:57am • #17

Always good stuff Leander,

The problem is and always will be, get the listing no matter what.  I know an gent here in town that has signs everywhere-every one is over priced.  Being a Buyer Agent/Investor, I finally had to say something.  Why?  She said she gave up trying to educate sellers about price.  Now she concentrates on quantity not quality.  She ends up with tons of experied listings but still closes 20-30deals a month.  Sales really is a numbers game you know. 

1:02pm • #18

A lot of great points. I would recommend using a home stager when it comes to preparing a house to sell. We are trained professionals working with the homeowner to maximize buyer appeal leaving you with the business of selling the house... 

Jill Nelson
2:34pm • #19
2 Featured Posts Hit Router

Hi Leander, Ouch. You certainly 'hit the nail on the head' with this post.

7:27pm • #20

Very funny and accurate too.  Sellers need to be realistic and not emotional when pricing and preparing their home for sale.  That can be difficult, but it is essential!

7:31pm • #21
FEB
05

A great post about why they are not getting the results they want.

6:23pm • #22
FEB
07
204,958 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Leander, fabulous post.  Very good information.  Sometimes seller need this blunt, but truthful information to see the light.  And I love the What one neighbor said to the other neighbor.  Cute photo as well.

1:04pm • #23
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1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

What a great post!  I'm a stager here in Burlington and have seen some interesting homes!  No one does a seller any good by holding back on the truth.  I agree with Dana-- stagers can break it to the seller honestly and gently, addressing the issues.  To some, selling houses may just be a numbers game but many agents still really want to help people sell their houses and move on to the next stage of their lives.  Most sellers are grateful for the help-- especially when the house sells! 

8:56pm • #24

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Leander McClain: Realtor ~NJ Real Estate NJSouthRealEstate.Com

Cherry Hill, NJ

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Keller Williams Realty-Cherry Hill, NJ

Address: 1814 Route 70 E, Suite 200, Cherry Hill, NJ, 08003

Office Phone: (856) 321-1212

Cell Phone: (856) 685-1677

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