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7 Reasons a House Won’t Sell Fast

Has your house been on the market for too long? Do you need a quick way to sell your house and move on to your next chapter? There are 7 common reasons a house won’t sell. Review them and decide if you are in one of these situations.

1.   Overpriced

Everyone wants to get the most out of their house. You have put literal money, time, and sweat into your humble abode, so it’s not unreasonable to list your house for a price you think is fair. Unfortunately, homeowners will list their homes at a price with rose-tinted glasses. If a house is listed way above market price, you are going to turn away potential buyers. Pricing your home right gives you a better chance to sell it fast.

Older home needing repairs with ladders out front


2.   Repairs Are Needed

Your typical buyer expects their future home to be move-in ready. If your house is outdated, needs repairs (big or small), or lacks general maintenance, you will have a harder time selling. To get buyers to look at your home, definitely take care of the quick fixes like touching up paint, fixing leaky faucets, etc. If you have bigger home improvement issues with your house, you may need to consider lowering your asking price or find a cash buyer who buys home as-is.

3.   Bad Market Conditions

Sometimes there are just things outside your control when it comes to the housing market. If the housing market is slow with high interest rates or economic uncertainty, some homeowners may wait to consider buying a new home until there are better market conditions. Also, if there are more sellers than buyers in your local market, then you can expect stiff competition working against your sale.

Older college style home


4.   Poor Curb Appeal

Your home should draw potential home buyers in just by driving or walking past it. Having poor curb appeal can keep them away. Curb appeal encompasses the exterior of the house, ranging from siding and roofing to the landscaping. An old roof or withering landscaping can scare off potential buyers, before they give the home a fair shake.

5.   Undesirable Floorplans

Some houses have outdated or simply wonky floor designs, especially older homes. Today, houses that are more sectioned off are not always the easiest to sell, as more modern taste favors an open concept. Floorplans that have tight corners, pathways, and doorways could also dishearten potential buyers looking for more accessibility or have larger furniture. Two story homes have also become less desirable in certain locations, as aging populations seek to avoid stairs. While having an undesirable floorplan doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t sell the house, it just might mean it takes a bit longer.

6.   Bad Listing Photos

First impressions are important in the housing market. Most potential buyers start their search online, reviewing the latest listings in their area. To draw in a typical buyer, you need to sway them with pictures first. Your house needs to look warm and inviting. If your house’s pictures look dim and dark, people may think twice before scheduling a showing. So, be sure to prep your house for photos with good lighting and clean rooms.

Alternatively, professional photographers can also be a worthwhile investment if you are particularly struggling to sell the home, as they have the knowledge needed for capturing the best photos possible. Professionals will also have access to high-end camera equipment and drones that can be used for aerial photos, which have become more popular in recent years.

7.   Looking for the Wrong Buyer

For a quick sale, you may need to try another selling avenue, like finding a cash buyer. The traditional home-selling process involves hiring a realtor, getting the right pictures of your home and listing it online, staging it, making any necessary repairs, and more. Once you get an offer through this traditional route, you have to undergo weeks of inspections and paperwork, closing usually after 30 days. If the goal is to sell your house fast, you may need to find a different type of buyer, like a cash buyer.

WCC Properties

The quickest way to sell a house fast is by finding a cash buyer, like WCC Properties. WCC Properties buys houses no matter the reason or condition. Once a viewing with the team is scheduled, they will make a cash offer for your property and close in as little as 48 hours. You can also skip the hassle of “fixing” your house to sell, as WCC Properties will handle any needed repairs themselves.