December Challenge - Day XXIX - Just sitting on the market going nowhere is no fun.

Just sitting on the market going nowhere is no fun.

It disturbs your daily routines causing stress. You have to keep the house clean and tidy and be ready to leave on short notice for viewings. No one likes to live this way.

Let's look at the reasons why houses just sit instead of selling.

Price: Everyone thinks their home is wonderful and worth just as much if not more than the competition. Unfortunately, your view may be skewed by your emotional attachment. Did you listen to your Realtor when they appraised your home? Is your home realistically priced? Buyers do not have that emotional attachment. To them your home is just another house to look at. Buyers are not going to overpay if they can help it.

Location: Is your house sitting unsold because of it's location? Are you situated on a busy street or near railway tracks? Location can definitely affect the value and appeal of your home. You may need to adjust your price and you certainly need to show the buyer a home so wonderful that they will ignore the location. This is where staging can be helpful. Staging will highlight the features of your home for the buyer. If your location is poor, don't forget to stage the yard as well as the interior. Show them a private garden they can enjoy as well as a home full of 'I wants'.

Outdated home: Now that your home is a product it has to compete with comparable homes on the market. Find out what the typical 'I wants' are for your type of home and see if your home offers these features. If your color scheme is out of date, paint the key rooms. Do you have worn flooring? It could be time to replace it. Updating light fixtures can make a big difference in how your home is perceived. Don't show the buyer a tired home. Tired means time and money to many buyers. A staging consult will give you an objective view of your home. It will point out the updates that will give you the most for your money.

Deferred Maintenance: Have you let those repairs go? Even a light fixture that doesn't work can raise a red flag for buyers. Look at your landscaping. That's the first thing the buyer sees. A neglected yard sends a poor message. Chipped or marked paint means work and money. Look at your shingles. Stained ceilings signal larger problems. No matter how large the repair is, it is raising a red flag for buyers. What else have you ignored?

Marketing to the wrong group: Make sure you find out from your Realtor and/or Stager who will be looking for a home like yours. Each room has to show the buyers a clear purpose. Make sure you 'purpose' each room for your type of buyer. Is the marketing of your home to a family, a single professional, a young couple, a young couple about to start a family or empty nesters? Knowing who will be looking at your home can make a difference on whether you set up a bedroom with a bed or a home office. Should you show off a formal dining space in that small living/dining room or a great room? Should there be a guest room or a child's room? Is your home too country or traditional? Your home needs to appeal to buyers with varying tastes. They need to be able to see their lifestyle fitting into your home. It could be time to tone down that country feel.

Listen to the feedback on your home. There is a reason your home is still sitting there when others have sold.