When you sell your house, ideally, you want it to go something like this: your house sells for top dollar. You get it sold quickly. It all goes down without a hitch.

Even in today’s market, there are more buyers than homes for sale. But, certain factors can still cause delays or prevent a house from selling. According to Zillow, in 2024, many sellers removed their homes from the market. They eventually managed to sell them later.

And while the reasons those houses didn’t sell are going to vary, there are some general themes that come through. If you’re having trouble selling your house, consider the top three hurdles that might be in the way. I can help you solve these issues.

1. Priced Too High

It’s no surprise that price plays a major role when you sell. In today’s market, homes stay on the market longer when they are overpriced. This is especially true in a high-mortgage rate environment. As. U.S. News Real Estate says:

“Talk to any real estate expert, and the first thing they’ll tell you is that a house is selling slowly because the price is too high.”

It’s tempting to push the price higher to get more for your home. However, overpricing can really turn away potential buyers. It can also make your house sit on the market for far too long. And the longer it sits, the more skeptical buyers will assume that there’s something wrong, even if there isn’t.

Not to mention, buyers today have so many tools and resources to view homes in your area and compare prices. So, if your house is priced too high, you’ll risk driving away potential offers.

To determine if this is happening with your listing, ask me what I am hearing at open houses. You can also inquire about what I observe during showings. It may be time to re-evaluate your asking price.

2. Not Freshened Up Before Listing

You only get one chance to make a great first impression on a buyer. That’s why sprucing up your house can be the difference between it selling or sitting.

First, take into account your home’s curb appeal. There might be simple ways to clean up the landscaping. These ways can make it tidy and inviting, creating a strong impact. As an article from Realtor.com notes:

” . . . for better or worse, buyers do tend to judge a book by its cover. You want to make sure potential buyers’ first impression of your home is a good one—and inspires them to stop by the open house or schedule a tour—so they can see more.”

But don’t stop at the front door. Small touches like removing personal items help buyers picture themselves in the home. Reducing clutter and cleaning the floors also give them more freedom to envision their lives there. Inexpensive upgrades can go a long way with that wow factor. Consider a fresh coat of paint or update listing photos to match the current season. 

When in doubt, lean on me for expert advice. Consult me if you need a new game plan to close the deal.

3. Limited Access

Another big mistake you can make as a seller is limiting the days buyers can view your house. You should not restrict the times for showings. At the end of the day, buyers need to take a look around. If they can’t, your chances of selling decline drastically.

And here’s something else to consider. No matter what type of market you’re dealing with, buyers from outside the area are often highly motivated. However, they don’t have as much flexibility or time as those who are local. So, give your house the best visibility by making it available as much as possible.

Bottom Line

You deserve to check selling your house off your list of goals this year. If your house isn’t getting enough attention, ask me. Don’t hesitate to find out how you can revamp your approach if your listing is getting stale.