With nervous anticipation the sellers sign the listing agreement. Within 24 hours there is even a showing request. Maybe this house selling has gotten easier? As the first week passes sans an offer the air seems to leave the old enthusiasm balloon.
Why has our house not sold? We have had 10 showings in the last two weeks. Does nobody want our poor house? Let's examine some factors that make house selling take time.
1) Buyers today start looking one year before purchasing-- With the internet most consumers will start viewing homes far in advance of signing on the dotted line. Many will jump the gun and tour homes with no intention of buying any time soon. Frankly some agents don't do a good enough job of screening their buyer prospects. Many showings will end with "my buyers liked it, but they want are not yet ready to purchase".
2) In Pineville we are averaging 81 days on market-- Anything under 180 days is considered a "balanced market". At under 90 days our market is moving briskly, but that's still means three months...
3) Buyers are nervous--Yes the market is strong, but so is the media. With all the doom and gloom reporting buyers can't be blamed for "treading lightly".
4)Buyers Typically tour more than once-- Today I have a follow-up showing on one of my Pineville listings. The couple toured the home back in May, but were not ready to sign. It's not uncommon when working with buyers to show them multiple houses, only to have them purchase the first one we toured!
Even in a robust market selling a home takes patient. Keep your home clean, and cooperate with all reasonable showing requests. Before you know it that offer will be heading your way!
Comments(11)