5 Ways Your Listing Can Go Cold in a Hot Market

By Mark Mathis, General Manager of Broker and Agent Sales for Homes.com

RISMEDIA, Friday, September 22, 2017— Sometimes a great listing hits the market and just doesn't sell. The reasons may be easy to pinpoint, but other times it takes some work to determine what the problem is. Here are some of the biggest reasons your listing may be stagnating on the market.

Clutter
First impressions are everything; if a potential buyer walks into a listing that has clutter everywhere, they can't truly visualize and see the home for what it truly is. Buyers can't fall in love with a house that has clutter everywhere. Make sure your listing isn't buried under furniture, knick-knacks, papers and laundry. Also make sure everything from the floor, ceiling, and walls is spick and span.

Staging
If clutter is not the issue but your listing is still not selling, you may want to consider staging. Staging has been found to not only decrease the amount of time a listing spends on the market, but also increase the selling price. Find staging tips here.

Price
The initial listing price of a home is instrumental in how quickly it sells. Many sellers assume setting the price high and coming down later or being willing to accept a reasonable counter-offer if they don't get much traction is a safe way to ensure they get the highest price for their home. In reality, starting with a high listing price just ensures that the buyers who are most compatible with the listing either don't see it or move on because it's outside what they're comfortable paying. The buyers who are looking at homes for the price you set will see that there are other houses at the same price with more expensive upgrades.

Details
If the price is right and your listing is squeaky clean and clutter-free, you may want to check your listing details. For example, an extra zero can turn your $450,000 listing into a $4,500,000 listing, where it's probably not going to get much traction. Double-check to make sure your information is accurate, make sure the description is interesting and informative, and your photos are professional and numerous. View a list of powerful words you can use in your listing description.

Disrepair
If everything else seems in order and your listing still isn't selling, the problem may be the house itself. According to the 2016 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, only 19 percent of buyers were willing to compromise on the condition of the home. Major repairs, such as a new roof or updated water heater, may be necessary to attract a buyer.

Know of other reasons your listing isn't moving? We would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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