Home Selling Advice

My Listing Expired . . . & My House Didn't Sell . . . Now What?

Did your listing expire without selling? If you're serious about selling, then you're probably pretty frustrated by now. It's time to take a fresh approach.

Let's take a look at the most common reasons a house doesn't sell within the initial listing period as well as actions you can take to affect the outcome. 

1. Perhaps your house didn't sell because It is not priced properly for the current market. Pricing your home at or near the actual market value is the best strategy for getting your home sold at the best price within the established time frame. The actual market value is determined by comparing your home to similar homes that are currently on the market (your competition), and similar homes that sold recently (usually within the past 6 months). Adjustments are made for condition, location, and features among the comparable sold homes. This is an oversimplification of the process of determining the market value and the best listing price, but these are the most important determining factors. For a more detailed look at how a professional prices your property, see our Pricing Your Property Right page.

Planning to Sell Your Home Soon?

If you are planning to sell your home this Spring, then you should have already started preparing your home to sell for the best possible price and terms.

You may have watched or read reports about the real estate market being 'hot' and homes selling very quickly at increasing prices.  This is accurate information in many of our local neighborhoods, but not so much in other communities. There is a shortage of homes for sale that meet today's buyer expectations, and this factor is driving up prices in the more desirable communities and neighborhoods.

So what are 'buyer expectations'?  What are buyers looking for?  It's simple.  Buyers are looking for clean, well-maintained, clutter-free homes that show pride-of-ownership, and that are priced at or near actual market value.  

Use our Home Seller Pre-Marketing Checklist to help you get your home ready to meet, and exceed, buyer expectations.  It's also a good idea to call your REALTOR® before you are ready to sell, invite them over, and get their opinion on things that should be done to neutralize your home and make it as attractive as possible to potential buyers.

Planning to Sell Your Home Soon? Do This First!

Put yourself in a buyer's shoes and walk through each room of your house, and evaluate every area of your home, inside and out.  Be honest with yourself.  If you were looking to buy in your neighborhood, what would you think about your own house?

Make a list of items that need to be repaired or replaced, and things you can do to make your home more appealing.

For example, start in the entryway and make a list:

Preparing To Move? Load These Items In Your Car At The Last Minute

Did you know that Federal law prohibits moving companies from transporting hazardous materials?

There are other items, too, besides hazardous materials that moving companies generally will not load in their trucks.  Be prepared to transport your own house plants, perishable food items, and possibly some lawn and pool equipment.

The following list of items are defined as 'hazardous.  You will need to either dispose of them properly, leave them for the new owners (with their approval, of course), or transport them in your own vehicle:

Wall Colors That Help Sell Your Home

Flipping through the HGTV shows and scanning the web looking for good ideas on what colors to paint your walls?  Don't trust yourself to pick the right colors and don't want to hire a professional stager to advise you?

Here is a quick link that will simplify the decision process.  Pick some of these colors, coordinated to your rooms of course, and chances are you'll make good decisions.

Benjamin Moore - How To Stage Your Home With Color

Remember, you're doing this to make your home appealing to as many buyers as possible.  It's not for you . . . so you don't have to love it.  The idea is to de-personalize your home.

In addition to the interior paint colors, be sure to follow the basic guidelines in the Pre-Marketing Checklist.