"Why Isn't My Home Selling?"- Five Common Seller errors and How to Fix Them

It's a sellers worst nightmare - finally listing your home and having it spend months on the market without a single showing.

Summer seems to be real estate season in Edmonton, and with so many houses currently listed and being sold it can be discouraging to list your home only to sit for months on the market without a single inquiry. Not only is this situation frustrating, it can also be an indication that something is amis with your listing. Read on to learn some common errors sellers make and how to avoid them.

1. The Problem: You're Overestimating Your Homes Value

Depending on your neighbourhood and the market there's always a chance your home will be snapped up at any price, no matter its condition. But that isn't a strategy to count on. Be wary of being over-confident of your homes value, or listing your home with implied emotional value.

The Solution: Be realistic from day one - take a close look at the other home prices in your area and study other listings that are close by that will give you an idea as how your neighbourhood is selling. Although you may love your home, it's important to brace yourself for it to potentially sit on the market for some time.

2.The Problem: You've Stopped Investing in Your Home

We know it isn't ideal to pay for home improvements that may not enjoy for a long time. But if you want to sell for full listing price, you may need to get your house in a condition that warrants it - and not base this number only on price per square foot. Retail buyers understandably still want the most house for their money, but they still what is contained within that square footage to be livable.

The Solution: If you want to be competitive with other listings, take a look what other houses in your neighbourhood and price range offer as amenities and upgrade accordingly. Even upgrades that are smaller, such as a pull down gooseneck faucet, an upgraded ceiling fan, a double bar towel rack, or upgraded door handles leaves a big impact on prospective buyers.

3. The Problem: Your Advertising Photos Aren't Properly Showcasing Your Home

Did you know that over 90% of buyers start their search online and make a decision about whether to come see your house based on a quick skim of your listing photos? Naturally, this is not the place to spare yourself an expense. If the photos seem amateur or look off because of strange staging or clutter, a prospective buyer is likely to pass on seeing your home in person.

The Solution: Get your home staged and photographed by professionals. Professional stagers and photographers have the ability to walk into a room and showcase bit in a way that will set your home apart from whatever it might be competing against in your market.

4. The Problem: You haven't Addressed your Home's Odor

Each home carries bit of a scent, but the last thing you should want is for it to be distracting to potential buyers. Common smells that tend to cling to surfaces inside your home can be scents as normal as pet door, fish, cigarette smoke, but other smells tend to alert buyers that something is amiss, such as mold and mildew.

The Solution: If your house's door is persistent, it's a good idea to determine what's causing it and address it - ask your listing agent to alert you of any smells that they notice upon entering your home. A lot of of time all that is required is a good cleaning or some air freshener to make or diffuse any unpleasant aromas.

5. The Problem: Your Appliances Aren't Upgraded

Although potential buyers realize they can replace a refrigerator, if your appliances look as if they are of a certain vintage, buyers may wonder what else might need replacing. While other potential upgrades like HVAC,heaters, and boilers are less noticed by prospective buyers you can be sure that old kitchen appliances will prompt a thorough investigation when it comes time to bring in a home inspector. 

The Solution: Upgrade your appliances before you list your home - not necessarily to the newest or top of the line model, but at least to something that doesn't look as if it's from the 1970's. This advice goes for the unseen too - if your HVAC has a problem it is best to address it before you are faced with a potential buyer.

BONUS - The Problem: Your Real Estate Agent Isn't Your Perfect Match

Sometimes the fact of the matter is that there's nothing wrong with your house at all - it's that your agents selling style does not fit you. Your Real Estate Agent is your front-line representative, and it's important to find someone who caters to your needs.

The Solution: The easiest rule to follow is to list with a REALTOR® that you would buy a home from. Look for someone with lots of energy and personality that you wouldn't mind spending a lot of time with - after all, they're going to be your partner when selling your home.

Do you have any tips for selling homes? Share it in the comments below!