In a perfect world and a co-operative market, a home sale can happen quickly and with very few hiccups. Sometimes, however, the unthinkable happens, and your house takes longer to sell than you ever thought it would.
Before you panic, drastically lower the price, or call a demolition company in despair, let’s do a little troubleshooting and see if we can’t help you get back on track. In this post, we’ll talk about what to do when a house just doesn’t get the attention from buyers that it deserves.
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Take Detailed Notes of the Situation
The need to adjust and fine-tune a home-selling strategy is perfectly normal after a listing goes live. The market changes by the minute, and a successful outcome depends on staying two steps ahead of it.
Before taking corrective action, however, the first step is always to analyze what is happening. A thorough review of the situation can reveal where the weak link may be. For example:
Has your listing been online for weeks and you have received no calls whatsoever?
Remember that the first “home showing” in today’s market almost always happens online. High-quality marketing from the beginning is an absolute must.
Using more or better images might be what it takes to capture interest from buyers. For higher-end properties, an engaging video can highlight the most desirable features. If you’re still not getting calls, your price might not quite align with the current market. However, talk to your real estate agent before making any adjustments.
Are you booking a showing here and there, but buyers seem uninterested or disengaged?
Now it’s time to take a look at your presentation. Keeping your house pristine in between appointments can be a tall order, but it’s essential to make a memorable first impression. Before a buyer comes through, be sure everything is as close to perfect as possible.
Few showings can also be another indication that your price is too high. There are numerous aspects that all need to come together for a successful sale to happen. If you’re not getting the results, some fine-tuning may be necessary.
Are buyers falling head over heels in love with your home but not placing offers?
Or you’re getting offers but they are way under asking or overloaded with conditions? At the risk of sounding repetitive, we may have to seriously reconsider your price. The right number is that important!
Are you searching for a listing agent to support you while leading you to the best possible outcome? Here’s Why Caldwell + Co is the Right Choice When Selling Your House.
Re-Strategize and Adapt to Feedback
Once you have some clarity, you’ll have a better idea of what to do to make buyers notice your home. For example, let’s say your listing went live two weeks ago, but you haven’t seen much activity.
Chances are, something is off with what real estate agents like to call the 3Ps. This acronym stands for pricing, presentation, and promotion.
To start with, how much research and analysis did you do before your listing went on the market? If you did not get an up-to-date home evaluation with an experienced real estate agent based on the most recent statistics, then revisiting your price is likely your first step! If you are certain that you set your price carefully, then we can move and reassess the other two components.
The Multiple Aspects of Expert Presentation
Many people think “presentation” begins when buyers come for an in-person visit. That’s when they begin the essential cleaning, decluttering, and repairs in earnest.
The truth is that your preparation should start much sooner, when the buyer is browsing listings online, even just casually, to see if something catches their eye.
How alluring are your photographs, floor plans, and other marketing materials? Since this is the first point of contact most of the time, they should be absolutely stellar. If you are using smartphone images, it might be time to spring for a professional photographer.
Alternatively, perhaps you have beautiful photos and floor plans. Now, let’s review the listing write-up. Many home sellers and even real estate agents underestimate the importance of this powerful tool.
A just-the-facts, bare bones summary tells a buyer what features your house offers. A great description full of rich detail brings it to life with a story buyers can see, sense, and hear; often, this alone is enough to entice them to want to know more.
Do you want to see the difference high-quality images and vivid, detailed descriptions can make? Check out how we position our Kingston homes for sale by viewing our featured listings.
Looking for even more tips for a fast and successful home sale? Start by reading the related posts below:
Are Enough Eyes on Your Home?
If your home is attracting attention, just not enough of it, then it might be time to ramp up your marketing. Ask your Realtor® about what channels they are using to promote your listing. A comprehensive plan doesn’t just aim to reach as many buyers as possible; it also seeks to connect with a targeted audience of people who are likely to make an offer.
Many real estate agents begin and end their efforts with simple, low-cost online platforms, like social media and Realtor.ca. However, for maximum results, Caldwell & Co. creates a fully customized plan that connects with buyers wherever they may be. This means complementing online efforts with offline advertising for the best exposure possible.
We also take advantage of in-house marketing through a network of other real estate professionals and brokerages all over the region. Closer to home, you’ll find us busy reaching out and connecting with potential buyers through open houses and other events. When the market gets challenging, these extra efforts are what deliver the results you need.
Location plays a critical role in capturing a buyer’s interest. The posts below will help you demonstrate the highlights of Kingston life:
- Is Kingston, Ontario a Good Place to Live?
- Exploring Our Favourite Nature Trails in Kingston
- Where Is Kingston, Ontario?
A Matter of Price
Lowering a well-thought-out price point might not be your go-to strategy, but if all of the other pieces are in place, this might become a necessary step. Another thorough analysis of the data will help determine the right level of adjustment.
You do not want to decrease your listing price by thousands of dollars and hope for the best. Often, a minor realignment with the evolving Kingston real estate market is all it takes to reignite buyer interest and start seeing offers coming in.
At this point, it may also simply be a matter of patience and resetting your expectations. Some homes just sell faster, while others require a little more time and effort. With mindful, well-researched strategies and expert guidance from start to finish, you’ll soon find the right buyer for your property.
Are you getting ready to list your house in today’s market? Our Kingston real estate agents are happy to guide you to outstanding results. Reach out to us at caldwellco@royallepage.ca or call 613.449.6588 today.
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Caldwell & co. is your all-in-one resource for everything real estate related in Kingston, from community highlights to market-shifting trends and hands-on transaction guidance.
