How do you sell a house that just doesn’t seem to sell? I’ve got a couple of tricks that most local real estate agents encourage for those stubborn properties that seem in perpetual limbo.

1. Lower the price

This may not be the answer you want to hear and yet the answer you expected to hear – all in one. Lowering the price is obvious, and not any less true. Sellers often try to price a home at an amount that they need, rather than at one that will actually sell. The fear of underpricing a home and being “taken for a sucker” is another common reason that people price homes too high. But it’s rare to find a house that is truly too cheap—typically a low-priced home will be up-bid between buyers, and end up selling at an average price. When looking to lower the price, a home price should generally drop two percent, at minimum. It’s also smarter to do one larger price reduction than several small ones.

2. Get a Deep Clean

Cleaning before showing a house is imperative, and most sellers follow through. But I suggest taking it a step further and hiring a one-time service for a deep clean. And repainting the exterior/interior and possibly replacing carpet can also give your house a makeover that will entice buyers. Starting to pack up the things that aren’t necessary can help make the home look larger and adds to its appeal.  Animals should be out of sight, out of mind during showings. And of course, the one place that should receive the most attention? The home’s entrance. Look into bettering your curb appeal in order to hook a buyer.

3. Find the Right Agent

Your agent should be working with you to sell a home. If you feel that you’re just another number  and that your agent doesn’t have enough time for you, it may be time to start finding a new partner.

It’s imperative that when listing your property to go with a local expert — a broker who is knowledgeable and has a solid marketing plan. Often sellers will go with the broker that discounts their fees the greatest. Saving money on your agent may be disadvantageous in the long-run. A professional agent is worth the price because their experience and their contacts can do wonders for your sale.

4. Prepare your home for a professional photographer

The first place someone typically starts to look when shopping for a home is online, so you need to make sure that the first impression you worked so hard to create with your home is captured in the photos you’re using in your online posts. A few hints to improve those photographs: turn on the lights, even during daylight; pay attention to the details, such as making sure the toilet seat is down; and keep a critical eye out for clutter that detracts from the picture. And keep your photos free of people and animals; you want to leave that up to the imagination of the buyer who will be making their own mental pictures of the people and things they’ll fill up their new home with.

So when looking to make your home more sell-able, remember to keep price in mind, make sure it looks respectable and clean, use a local agent who will work for you, keep the home maintained and in repair, and be aware of your internet presence.

Article Citation: Williams, Geoff. (July 3, 2014.) 5 steps to sell a house that won’t sell. U.S. & World Report News. Retrieved August 2, 2014 from: http://news.yahoo.com/5-steps-sell-house-wont-sell-151237284.html

Picture Citation: http://anchoraa.com/web_images/unsellable_house.png