Only one word describes the Havasu real estate market right now: HOT! Competition among buyers remains fierce. It’s a seller’s market. But you listed your home months ago. Interest hit its peak early on. However, you haven’t experienced so much as a nibble lately. Here are the top five silly reasons your Havasu home hasn’t sold yet.
Top Five Silly Reasons Your Havasu Home Hasn’t Sold Yet
#1 – Pricing Too High
Too often, people tend to attach a high price to sentimentality. That includes their homes. Buyers don’t care that little Johnny took his first steps in the living room. Until they actually move in, this is strictly a business deal. Have your Lake Havasu REALTOR® run comps on recently sold homes in your neighborhood. This gives you a real idea of what you should price your Havasu home at.
#2 – Stinky Smells/Nasty Stains
Buyers use all their senses when assessing a Havasu home. If your carpet or flooring shows excessive wear and tear, you might want to replace it. And smells? Forget about it! Pet odors and cigarette smoke are the biggest culprits of foul smells in a household. Your nose may be immune to these smells, but a buyer’s nose is not. Cat lovers need to clean out the litter box on a daily basis. Remove it completely before a showing. Deep clean carpets, drapes, and upholstery to remove pet odors. Also, pour zeolite into decorative bowls and place them around the home. Zeolite is volcanic rock and can be found in home improvement stores. Look for Gonzo brand odor eliminators. Just set the rock out in the sun to activate it and you’re good to go. This soaks up bad smells better than any other product on the market.
#3 – Tacky Decor and Clutter
Unfortunately, we’re not all blessed with good taste. Create the appearance of more space by eliminating clutter. Do you have carpet in your bathroom? Get rid of it right away. Are your cabinets crammed with Tupperware and kitchen gadgets? Do your closets spill over with clothes? Pack up and store all your extra stuff, including shoes, kitchenware, and furniture. Paint over the DIY sponge finished accent wall in the foyer with a lighter neutral color. Also, slipcovers do wonders for an ugly couch. And don’t forget to make the little repairs you’ve avoided in the past. Buyers take notice of these.
#4 – Being Unreasonable
Sellers need to be flexible. Rejecting lowball offers outright might completely turn away a buyer, especially if your home has sat on the market for a while. Instead, consider a counter-offer. Negotiate your way into a much more reasonable price. Restricting viewing times to every other Thursday from noon to 3 pm makes it difficult for buyers to walk through your property. You need to be ready to show whenever your agent lets you know a buyer wants to come see it. Also, if an inspection uncovers problems (plumbing leak, electrical issues, broken roof tiles), be willing to negotiate a discount or repairs if the buyer requests such a thing.
#5 – Your Agent
Finally, the reason your Havasu home hasn’t sold yet may be due to your agent. They should be courteous, attentive, and willing to market your home to its fullest potential. If you feel they fall short on their duties, it might be time to look for a new one.
Some things you can’t change when it comes to selling your Havasu home (location, market conditions). But, other things can be changed. If you find that your home has sat on the market for several weeks, consider these five silly reasons why it hasn’t sold yet. Then do something about it. Contact me if you have any questions.
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