Why Your House is Not Selling
Published on 29 August 2022, 07:22:56 AM
It’s a seller’s market, yet your house is not moving. Now what?
Your house is in good condition and in a prime location. Why is my house not selling, you ask?
We can think of several good reasons your house is not selling. Before you worry about how you can get rid of a house you can’t sell, let’s go over the real estate fundamentals.
Quick Read
Best home improvements to sell your house
How pricing your home affects sales
Why days on market matter to buyers
Why would a house no longer be on the market?
Are You Getting the Right Advice?
The simplest reason why a house is not selling could be the easiest to fix: getting professional advice.
Home sellers usually aren’t realtors, or experienced enough at listing their home to figure out why a house is not selling. Getting pro advice from a licenced Ontario realtor helps you make course corrections that keep your listing competitive, whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s market.
Steering real estate sellers away from low-cost commissions is a clue you aren’t getting the best advice. If you opt to go it alone, read this first — selling a house privately in Ontario.
Size Up Showings If a House is Not Selling
Multiple showings can be a sign your home is accurately listed on the MLS. When showings don’t translate into offers, size up what is going wrong.
- Is your home tidy or are dirty grout and stale odours a turnoff? Stick your head in the oven. Oh, that’s why your house is not selling! Hiring a house cleaner or buying newer appliances can be worth it.
- Does your pet yowl at buyers or tag along everywhere? If your house is not selling, take Fido for a walk or have family and friends watch the cat.
- Are prospective buyers tripping over kids’ toys in the front yard? Instead of treating busy buyers to an obstacle course, turn up the curb appeal. Trim the shrubs or plant some colourful flower beds.
- Does your home listing match the merchandise? Misleading photos or an overblown listing are a downer for any buyer. You want motivated buyers, not looky-loos.
That brings us to our next tip if your house is not selling.
Home Improvements When a House is Not Selling
Be honest with yourself when you ask why is my house not selling. Are unappealing paint colours or eccentrically decorated spaces blocking your home sale? Major home improvements may leave you out of pocket, but proper staging pays off. Tried and true basement renovations buyers actually want.
Paint is cheap. Stripping wallpaper may be messy, but it can stop a prospective buyer from walking away. Does wallpaper decrease home value?
Pricing Your Home to Sell
Is your home straight out of the ’70s? The first place buyers’ minds may go to is what’s under the wallpaper.
Outdated electrical or plumbing connections may be costly to bring up to the current Ontario Building Code. Asbestos floor or ceiling tiles, insulation, or roofing takes careful planning to remove. Asbestos in the home — where to find it and what to do. Does asbestos affect home value?
Be realistic about what your home is worth in its present state. Have your realtor do the comps (comparative values of similar homes) and suggest a competitive price to list your home for sale. After all, qualified buyers won’t beat a path to your doorstep if your list price is out of their range.
How Long to Stay on the Market
Supply and demand, bad weather, or high interest rates can drag out the days on market for any home. How long it takes your home to sell depends on your location, timing, and product. For instance, the average listing days for Toronto’s robust real estate market nearly doubled from 14 in December 2021 to 27 by December 2022.
Before you despair about why your house is not selling, take a breather and take your home off the MLS for awhile. It will reduce the “days on market” some homebuyers rely on to consider whether to view your property.
When to Change Real Estate Agents
You’ve tidied the interior, painted the trim, and adjusted the price. Your house is still not selling.
Change realtors if:
- you don’t get along
- calls or emails aren’t returned in a reasonable time
- you feel deadlocked
- they make suggestions you question
- or you want to try someone else.
Before you act, check the legal representation agreement you signed when you listed your home. Having a real estate brokerage assign a new agent to your home sale is the first step. Reading the listing agreement fine print. Hiring a listing services law firm.
Worried your realtor’s conduct isn’t above board? See the REALTOR® code of ethics. More on realtor duties to client.
Why You Need a Real Estate Lawyer
Once your home does sell, you can close the transaction for less with an Axess Law real estate lawyer. You may be surprised how reasonable hiring a flat fee lawyer service can be compared to traditional law firms. When to hire a real estate lawyer (Ontario).
Our experienced real estate attorneys go over your agreement of purchase and sale in detail. We look for terms and conditions that preserve your right to cancel by mutual consent, or to resolve problems that arise from a professional home inspection. Do mortgage prepayment penalties apply to you?
You can meet with a lawyer via video conference call anywhere in Ontario. Use your home computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or any compatible mobile device to discuss your offer to purchase. Your Axess Law real estate lawyer negotiates desired amendments and advises you on potential penalties if a sale fails to complete on time. Drafting amendments to agreements of purchase and sale.
Axess Law searches title to property for construction liens or financial claims that could delay our ability to transfer title to a buyer. We liaise with your mortgage lender to receive legal documents needed to discharge mortgages or assume new mortgage obligations. Land transfer tax exemptions you may qualify for.
When all the legal documents are done, we hand your buyer the keys to your home.
Affordable Legal Services, Anywhere in Ontario
Access lawyers for less in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, or anywhere in Ontario when you buy, sell, or transfer property. Axess Law’s flat fee real estate lawyers are affordable, and our rates are all inclusive (excluding taxes, disbursements, and third-party charges). Axess Law offers you only the legal services you absolutely need. Your final invoice includes no surprises or hidden charges. Your itemized statement of adjustments is explained when we deliver it, and we answer any questions you have about it.
Hire a virtual real estate lawyer.
Mortgage Lawyers for Flat Fee Legal Services
Dial an Axess Law real estate lawyer when you sell your home. Book online in minutes with our easy web booking form. We make video conference calls 7 days a week. Call our 647-479-0118 lawyer line in Toronto or toll free to 1-877-402-4277 to find remote real estate lawyer times that work for you. You can meet us in person at any of our conveniently located Axess Law offices in the Greater Toronto Area or Ottawa, or network by video conference call.
Axess Law has onsite parking and easy transit access.
Find an Axess Law real estate lawyer near me.
