My house is not selling – what can I do?

House not selling? If you’re struggling to find a buyer for your property, you may be starting to wonder why.

The truth is, there may be several reasons why you’re struggling to sell. This guide will look at some common issues and help you think about your next steps.

Is my house not selling becuase it’s overpriced?

The truth is that any property should be sellable, as long as it is priced correctly. 

You might see other properties in your area being put on the market with a high asking price, but a property is only really worth what someone is actually willing to pay for it. This means recent sold prices are more informative than asking prices. If your property is priced correctly, you should be getting a good number of viewings and significant interest.

The easiest way to get an accurate marketing figure for your property is to ask three local estate agents. Saying you want to secure a buyer in the first 4 weeks should result a realistic valuation. Some estate agents will suggest trying a higher figure in order to ‘test the market’, but this is risky. If your property is initially over-priced, you will inevitably need to lower the price at a later date. Properties that sit on the market for longer than average, because they are initially overpriced, quickly become stagnant. These homes are perceived negatively by would-be buyers, which could lead to you struggling to sell.

Choosing the right estate agent

Choosing and instructing the right estate agent will make or break your property sale. It’s important to do your research before you instruct an agent. Don’t automatically pick the agent that gives the highest valuation. Look for an agent who has significant experience in selling similar properties in your area. Someone who will understand your potential buyers and what they’re looking for. Consider how many properties they sell each month, how quickly they sell properties and how the price they achieve for the property compares to the asking price.

Who is going to buy my house?

It’s important that your property appeals to its target audience. If you’re selling a large family home, you’ll want to highlight features that appeal to families. You should also offer information about any good schools nearby. If you’re selling a smaller property that is likely to appeal to a young professional, you might want to highlight different local amenities and emphasise low-maintenance aspects of your property.

Being aware of your target market is half the battle. A good estate agent will prove invaluable when it comes to understanding your potential buyers. They will help you to present your property in a way that attracts the most appropriate audience.

Listening to feedback

Your estate agent should collect in-depth information about potential buyers before any viewings. They should also gather thorough feedback once the viewing has taken place. If your property has been viewed a number of times without securing a buyer, feedback will be crucial.

Any issues highlighted by more than one buyer will need addressing. If the issue is something that cannot be easily changed, you will need to adjust your price to reflect the feedback.

Do you need to make improvements?

Improve kerb appeal

First impressions count, especially when it comes to property. When you can’t sell your house, you should try to view your property objectively. When a buyer sees your home for the first time, the exterior should make them want to see more. You can increase the kerb appeal of your exterior by conducting some basic landscaping. Mow the lawn, rake up any leaves, weed the garden and paving stones, and remove any rubbish or bins.

Clean and declutter

It’s natural that clutter will accumulate over the years, but this can be off-putting to those looking around your home. Remove any unnecessary books, toys, games and even furniture which will make your home feel smaller. Cleaning the property from top to bottom is also an important way to create a great first impression.

Add value

Many people will feel pressure to have their property looking perfect before they put it on the market. The truth is there are little things you can do that make a substantial difference without having to go all out. For example, applying fresh paint, replacing any broken tiles, putting down new flooring or re-grouting can make a big difference.

Create a blank canvas

Ultimately, when buyers walk through your home, you want them to see it as a place they could call home. You should, therefore, try to make your home as neutral as possible. Make sure you’ve tried to view your property as objectively as possible and addressed anything that you think may put buyers off. If you have bright walls, you may want to consider redecorating in more neutral colours. You should also make sure any pets and pet beds etc are out of the house during viewings.

Is it time to consider other ways to sell your house if house not selling?

If you’re still struggling to sell, or are running out of time to find a buyer, it might be worth considering other ways to sell your house. Part exchange schemes, professional home buying companies and property auctions are all considered quicker alternatives to selling on the open market.

Part Exchange

Property part exchange is a service offered on some new build houses that allows you to effectively ‘trade-in’ your current home for a new build property. It can make the process of buying a property quicker and easier, but is only available on selected plots. There are usually strict guidelines about your new home having to be worth considerably more than the property you are selling too.

Professional cash home buying company

A  genuine cash home buying service is similar to a property part exchange. The only difference is that it can be used for any property, not just a new build home. They will be able to purchase your property in a very short period of time and will be able to offer a guaranteed sale – something that simply isn’t possible on the open market.

Any genuine professional home buying company will pay less than market value, so it won’t be the right option for every homeowner, but if you’re looking for speed and certainty, it’s worth considering. If you’d like to know how much a cash home buyer like Quick Move Now would offer to buy your house direct, call our friendly team today on 0800 068 3366 or fill out our online form to get a free, no obligation offer.

Selling at auction

Selling at auction can be a great choice if the property you’re selling is particularly unusual or would be considered unmortgageable. Although the service will not be as quick as selling via a professional home buying company or part exchanging your property, it does have a definitive deadline. All sales must be completed within 28 days of the auction taking place. It is worth remembering that around 28 percent of properties that go to auction fail to sell, so you may still need to consider different options at a later date.

Find out more about:

• Should I get a property survey when I buy a house?
• What is a structural survey?
• When was my house built?
• What is a memorandum of sale?
• What are title deeds?
• What is a property bridging loan?
• Can I sell my house with an ongoing neighbour dispute?
• My house is not selling – what can I do?
• A guide to property indemnity insurance
• Making an offer before selling your existing home