Why Your Wilmette Home Has Not Sold

The Wilmette and North Shore real estate market has woken up - buyers are flocking back to the market after staying put most of last year.  No, prices are not increasing - but the good news is that they are holding steady - but just so.

But your home is languishing on the market?  Why? Consider these important factors:

1. Your house is priced too high - This is the single most important reason why your home won't sell - in any market!  This is where a knowledgeable and experienced realtor can help you with comparable homes for sale and sold properties.  It always come down to price.
   
2. Not Staging and Repairing- unfortunately, many of us live with the little idiosyncrasies of our houses until we get ready to sell.  We think if it was okay for us, it'll be okay for the buyers.  Not so - this is the time to get those little things repaired, walls and trim painted, and general decluttering. 
3.  Not Getting Good Quality Photos Taken - In the old days, we real estate brokers took home photos ourselves.  Guess what - some still do.  At Baird & Warner we hire professional photographers for every listing and our home shows are exquisite to view.  How do you want a potential buyer  1000 miles away to see your home?
   
4.  Using False Advertising- If your house has 3 bedrooms and a 4th in the basement, call it a 3 bedroom home.  That way the buyer will be happily surprised to find the 4th one in the basement, rather than expecting all four to be above ground.  If your kitchen was updated in 1995, it's not an updated kitchen!
5. Making Your House Hard to Show - be flexible, leave the house, stay out of the way.  don't put up any restrictions - even a sleeping baby can handle an important showing!  Don't make your broker accompany showings - other agents and clients are put off by this and would rather view the home alone.
6. Being Offended by Low Ball Offers - Home buyers love to haggle over the price and many feel cheated if they can't get a good negotiation going.  Don't turn your nose up at anything - many sellers who have done so have ended up with a new listing price lower than some original offers.  
7. Not Making Sure the Buyer is Qualified - again, another job a seasoned Realtor will do for you.  Money is still tight and Fannie Mae's tightened regulations have not gone away - no offer is any good if the buyer is not qualified.
8. Choosing the Wrong Agent- how would you know?  Ask about experience and local knowledge of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth and Glencoe.  Check for their online presence and how they present their current listings.  Ask for referrals and testimonials.  Make sure you get along with your broker and that you have the same vision.  In this marketplace, sellers are often on their 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th realtor.  Don't let that happen to you.  The one who gives you the highest price for your home is suspect.