Your Home Hasn’t Sold Yet?
It’s happening a lot in our Oakhurst neighborhoods these days. A home doesn’t “sell itself” as sellers claimed 8 months ago. Buyers are smart, picky and have options. There are 6 homes on the market in Clayton for each buyer out there. If your home has been on the market for a long time, chances are it’s due to one or more of the following reasons.
Price. If it’s too high, buyers will choose a competing property. If it’s too low, they may assume something is wrong with the home. Know what is on the market today, and know the sales price of similar homes in the past month. Do not focus on the sale price of that home down the street that sold in the spring. Adjust your expectations accordingly, because even if your house is the best in the neighborhood, don’t expect buyers to pay much more than today’s rate.
Promotion. Your real estate agent or you (if selling on your own) need to work hard to market your property. The days of posting the listing to the MLS and waiting for offers are over (for a while, at least). The home needs to be actively well marketed. That means quality photos, good descriptions, online postings, other advertising, convenient access / open houses, and a ton of exposure.
Presentation. Always show the house in it’s best light. Go to a model home at a new construction development in Livermore or Brentwood (both within 30 minutes of Clayton) and emulate what their interior designers have achieved. They spend millions each year on this important task - get as close to their results as possible. Remember how clean your home was the first day it was introduced for sale? Homes get dirty and weeds grow in the garden over the course of time - don’t overlook the importance of these details to first time visitors.
If your house does sit on the market and you’re feeling discouraged, never slow down your efforts. Do more, get creative, listen carefully to buyer concerns and industry professionals and adjust your efforts. You will generate a sale if you stay focused.