Realtors Share 11 Reasons Your Home Won’t Sell (#2 Can Be Hard to Hear)

If you listed your home more than 30 days ago and it still hasn’t sold, many buyers may see that as a giant red flag.

That’s because property listings that stay on the market for a long time — anything between 30 and 90 days is often considered “stale” in the world of real estate — can send prospective shoppers a message that something isn’t quite right with your property.

And, while the truth is that there are plenty of reasons your home isn’t selling — including those outside of your control like buyers who are struggling to make the extra money they need to afford to buy a home — having a stale listing can really hurt your chances of getting your asking price.

That’s why we spoke with several real estate pros to learn about some of the things that could be holding your home from selling — and what you can do to fix them.

One of the biggest turn-offs for buyers is when a home lacks curb appeal.

Ashley DeHart, a real estate agent with Realty from DeHart, says that even minor solutions — like a coat of paint, minor repairs, and landscaping — can be a big help. “Simple updates like planting flowers or trimming bushes can make a big difference.”

Too many personal touches can make it hard for a home to sell, so you may want to change out some of the things that appeal to your specific taste for more generic options that will attract buyers.

“Home features like lighting fixtures, doorknobs, plumbing fixtures, cabinets, tables, and couches in these houses are very distinctive,” says Pete Evering, business development manager at Utopia Management.

“Although it may appeal to some people, chances are there will be more people who won't like it.”

It’s important to hook potential buyers with appealing listing photos, but Jennifer Okhovat, a real estate agent at Compass, says she’s surprised by how many home listings use low-resolution pictures in their listings.

“It's important to hire a professional photographer to capture high-resolution images and multiple angles and really show off the house,” she explains.

You may like living on a busy street, but it can be a major issue for buyers who are turned off by the idea.

The good news is that there are ways to make your home look more appealing to buyers, no matter where it is.

Adam Chahl, a real estate agent with Vancouver Home Search, suggests mentioning features that could make the home feel more private. “Highlight any home features that insulate from noise, such as double-pane windows,” he says.

Additionally, homeowners can add some inexpensive improvements to their home before they list it by adding privacy features like a fence or additional landscaping.

A lack of light can make your home feel small, dark, and foreboding. Fortunately, in a lot of cases, this problem is an easy fix with a little bit of elbow grease and some small adjustments around the house.

“Sellers should clean their windows, remove the screens to let in extra light, take down dark curtains, and have lights on with blinds open when showing the home,” says Haley Bartlett, a real estate agent at iGoRealty.

Your clutter could be the culprit, which is why it’s so important to declutter to make your home look cleaner and more appealing.

That can mean everything from clearing the kitchen appliances off your counters to tucking your cosmetics and lotions away in the bathroom. “Clean, open surfaces make your home feel bigger and brighter,” says Jeremy Smith, a real estate advisor at Engel & Völkers Atlanta.

It can be hard to sell a home in a competitive market when you have problems due to disrepair or outdated features.

Adie Kriegstein, a licensed real estate salesperson at Compass, suggests investing in small upgrades where you can and being completely honest about the state of your home.

“Be upfront in the listing so buyers’ expectations are in line and those coming are aware and willing to do work,” she says.

Buyers might factor in ownership costs in addition to the cost of the home itself when shopping for a new home, and that could be an issue when it comes to home insurance in some areas.

Robert Washington, the founder and a broker at Savvy Buyers Realty, says sellers should talk to their agents about fixes or upgrades that could mitigate insurance costs for possible buyers.

In his state of Florida, for example, installing things like window shutters and hurricane clips could reduce insurance premiums. “These are things that are relatively inexpensive for the seller to install before listing the home and it will have a significant impact on attractiveness to buyers.”

Some buyers may be concerned about living next to power lines. Unfortunately, that’s not exactly something you can change to woo more buyers.

Instead, you can try to fix the aesthetic issues involved with being able to see power lines from your yard. “If it is a view issue, planting trees and shrubs may help,” Bartlett says.

It may not be possible to rearrange walls and doors to make your home more appealing, but there are things you can do to downplay an awkward floor plan.

One way to do that is to stage areas and use furniture to create defined spaces. “For instance, if there’s a small nook or pass-through area, set it up as a reading corner or work-from-home space to show how it can be used effectively,” Chahl says.

Condominium owners not only have to deal with the specific space they live in but also common areas that may not be as appealing to buyers but can’t necessarily be controlled by a seller.

You may be able to make minor tweaks to common areas near your home, but it’s also a good idea to be proactive before you list your place.

“Many of my clients end up deciding to be involved in their HOAs and join or create beautification committees and groups where they try to recommend updates, furniture changes, or even something as simple as advocating for flowers,” Nikki Beauchamp, an associate broker at Sotheby's International Realty says.

It can be frustrating to try and sell a house with problems that potential homeowners struggle to accept, but there are ways to make your home go from a bust to a buyer’s dream.

You should also consider making some smart homeowner moves now before you put your home on the market, so it will be an easy sell once you’re ready to move on. A little work now may lead to a big payoff when you’re ready to list your home.