Let’s picture the scenario. You’ve had your home listed for sale on the open market for a few months.
You’ve done all that your estate agent has asked of you – staged your property, spruced up the place, maybe even baked bread and brewed some coffee before viewings to make it feel homely.
But still, you get no offers. What’s the big issue? It’s often easy for sellers to slate the market and consider it bad timing. But in many cases, there’s more to things than meets the eye. Within this article, we’re going to divulge some of the hidden culprits that could be keeping your property on the shelf.
Have you considered that the open market might be wrong for your property?
Did you know that the average house sale on the UK open market now takes around 175 days to complete? That’s approximately six months from start to finish. There are many scenarios when six months just won’t cut the mustard. You may need to move for a job in a new town or city, or move to be closer to an ill family member.
In these circumstances, the open market may not be the right place to sell your home. There’s a more no-nonsense alternative that could get you moving within a matter of days. There are a growing number of “sell house fast” companies online that commit to paying you a cash offer for your property within seven days of making the initial offer. Cash buyers have the funds in their bank accounts, ready and waiting to buy assets like yours. Sure, it may not be a premium price, but if you’re happy to accept a modest offer that gets you moving faster, it could even save you money in the long run.
Are you being too ambitious with your sale price?
Trying to sell your home for more than it’s worth could be what’s holding it back. With interest rates higher than they’ve been for decades, it’s increasingly becoming a buyer’s market. If your home looks like less value for money, it’ll be flatly ignored.
Strange smells or subtle maintenance flaws raise question marks
Source: Unsplash
This is an especially tricky subject to raise, especially since you might not even notice them, but weird smells or imperfections can be an instant turn-off for buyers. Whether it’s a slight musty smell of damp, pets, or the sight of peeling paint, dripping taps or overly creaky floorboards. It all works against you to create an unappealing home for prospective buyers.
Is the home too personal to your family?
Finally, have you considered that there’s too much of you in the property? To capture the imagination of a buyer, you need them to be able to envision themselves living there. If your home is dripping with family photos and personal décor, this could be another roadblock to encouraging buyers to see the potential.
Often, it’s the little things that can get your house sale moving again. Don’t lose heart. You fell in love with your property once upon a time, so someone else will eventually, too.
By Ben Spencer.
