There are many reasons why a property might sit on the market for months and months. One of the number one reasons is Price. When I was starting out in Real Estate..I didn't believe this to be true..until my Instructor said, "Well, would you buy my house for a Dollar?".. he made me laugh, but I had to say yes! Get a thorough CMA one that actually reflects the current prices in the Housing Market in your specific area, and then price your home 15% below the lowest similar home (same age,same general area (school districts, same condition, same square footage, same bedrooms and bathrooms)
But price is not the only reason a home might not sell. When we live in a home for many years, we tend to get used to the little "quirks" it might have. That door that sticks in the bathroom, the chipped paint in the kitchen, or other small repair issues.
After time, we don't even see these things, but to a buyer...all these small "fix-its" raise warning flags. A buyer might not know if they are simply minor problems...or an indication of overall neglect and that is frightening to the average buyer. All things being equal, a home in disrepair vs one that is in tip top condition..the well maintained home will win out.
I was once showing a home, that had a strange carpet in the Master Bedroom. At the doorway, the floor was oddly uneven. It turned out that a carpet layer had put carpet over a cracked tile, that tile gave way, under the carpet whenever it was stepped on. That small issue..one that is easy to repair, kept that home on the market for 3 additional months, once it was repaired, the home sold quickly.
My suggestion to all Sellers who are having trouble is to bring in a person who is not familiar with your home and don't be touchy. Allow them to point out the cobwebs under the outdoor lights, the rust stains in the guest bathroom,cracked tiles,worn carpets, and so on, so that you can address these minor issues.
Educate yourslef by reading books on the subject or watch the many excellent consumer programs such as "Sell This House",Property Ladder" and others. You will learn so much from programs such as these. Try to view your home, the way you would when entering a strange Hotel Room...if it looks shabby and not really clean..would you stay there? If you think like a buyer,you will Sell your home!
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