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What are some reasons my house might not be selling?
Asked By Harris L. | 801 views | Selling | Updated 3 years ago
Answer(11)
Jason Craig
Coldwell Banker
A home that lingers on the market usually has one or more of three issues: price, presentation or exposure. If your asking price is higher than comparable homes in your neighborhood, buyers will choose better‑valued properties. Even a 5% overpricing can drastically reduce showings. Presentation also matters—houses that are cluttered, dated, have deferred maintenance, strong odors or poor curb appeal will turn off buyers. Finally, if your listing photos are dark or few in number, or if showings are difficult to schedule, you’re limiting your audience.
Market conditions can play a role as well. During slower seasons or in a buyers’ market with lots of competing inventory, even well‑priced homes can take longer to sell. Work with your agent to review recent sales data and adjust your price if necessary. Make sure the home is clean, decluttered and in good repair, and consider inexpensive updates like paint or landscaping. Use professional photography and advertise across major real‑estate websites and social media. Allow flexible showing times and ask your agent for feedback from visitors so you can address any recurring objections. These steps typically help generate renewed interest and get a home sold.
Market conditions can play a role as well. During slower seasons or in a buyers’ market with lots of competing inventory, even well‑priced homes can take longer to sell. Work with your agent to review recent sales data and adjust your price if necessary. Make sure the home is clean, decluttered and in good repair, and consider inexpensive updates like paint or landscaping. Use professional photography and advertise across major real‑estate websites and social media. Allow flexible showing times and ask your agent for feedback from visitors so you can address any recurring objections. These steps typically help generate renewed interest and get a home sold.
- 2 months ago
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Irene and Ricky Zhang
Keller Williams Irvine
When a home doesn’t sell, it typically comes down to a few major factors: pricing, presentation, marketing, condition, or timing. In competitive markets like Irvine, motivated buyers usually respond within the first 1–2 weeks. If that isn’t happening, something in the listing strategy needs adjustment.
The most common issue is pricing. Even an attractive home will sit if it’s priced higher than comparable properties. Buyers instantly compare your home to others on the market, so strategic pricing is essential to generate strong early activity.
Presentation is another major factor. Homes that look cluttered, dark, or dated—either in person or online—create hesitation. Professional staging, fresh paint, better lighting, and curb-appeal improvements can significantly increase buyer interest.
Marketing quality also plays a huge role. If your agent isn’t using professional photos, video tours, social media ads, and targeted digital marketing, your listing may not be reaching enough qualified buyers. Since most Irvine buyers start their search online, weak presentation or limited exposure can drastically reduce showings.
Condition issues—such as aged roofs, deferred maintenance, or unfinished repairs—can also scare buyers away, even if the home is priced well.
Finally, market timing matters. Slow seasons, higher competition, or rising interest rates can lead to reduced buyer activity, even if there’s nothing wrong with the home.
As top realtors in Irvine, Irene and Ricky Zhang Real Estate Group specialize in identifying exactly why a home isn’t selling and creating a refreshed plan—updated marketing, improved presentation, and strategic pricing—to relaunch the property successfully. Their proven process helps sellers attract more attention and secure strong offers, even after a slow start.
The most common issue is pricing. Even an attractive home will sit if it’s priced higher than comparable properties. Buyers instantly compare your home to others on the market, so strategic pricing is essential to generate strong early activity.
Presentation is another major factor. Homes that look cluttered, dark, or dated—either in person or online—create hesitation. Professional staging, fresh paint, better lighting, and curb-appeal improvements can significantly increase buyer interest.
Marketing quality also plays a huge role. If your agent isn’t using professional photos, video tours, social media ads, and targeted digital marketing, your listing may not be reaching enough qualified buyers. Since most Irvine buyers start their search online, weak presentation or limited exposure can drastically reduce showings.
Condition issues—such as aged roofs, deferred maintenance, or unfinished repairs—can also scare buyers away, even if the home is priced well.
Finally, market timing matters. Slow seasons, higher competition, or rising interest rates can lead to reduced buyer activity, even if there’s nothing wrong with the home.
As top realtors in Irvine, Irene and Ricky Zhang Real Estate Group specialize in identifying exactly why a home isn’t selling and creating a refreshed plan—updated marketing, improved presentation, and strategic pricing—to relaunch the property successfully. Their proven process helps sellers attract more attention and secure strong offers, even after a slow start.
- 1 month ago
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Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty
Hi Harris,
Open ended question. Can you send us a link so we can view the home? I could rattle off 100 reasons but dont know if they apply to you and your home. In the end, it usually comes down to price. No matter what else is going on, if a property is priced "right" it will sell. Especially in a hot seller's market. If it is listed, ask your agent for feedback from the showings. If you are not listed with a real estate agent, that should be your next step to help you sell your home for top dollar. Good luck! Spirit
Open ended question. Can you send us a link so we can view the home? I could rattle off 100 reasons but dont know if they apply to you and your home. In the end, it usually comes down to price. No matter what else is going on, if a property is priced "right" it will sell. Especially in a hot seller's market. If it is listed, ask your agent for feedback from the showings. If you are not listed with a real estate agent, that should be your next step to help you sell your home for top dollar. Good luck! Spirit
- 4 years ago
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Alfred Galvan
eXp Realty of California
Hello Harris, there is no reason I have buyers for all types of homes please let me know if I can help in any way. - Alfred
- 4 years ago
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Hector Gastelum
The Gastelum Organization
1. Overpriced
2. You hired a discount broker and your home is competing vs. others than pay 2.5 to 3%
3. Difficult to show
2. You hired a discount broker and your home is competing vs. others than pay 2.5 to 3%
3. Difficult to show
- 4 years ago
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Keith Watts
Watts Team Real Estate, Inc.
Generally it is because you have hired the wrong agent, or you are not listening to the advice of your good agent. I would consider your hiring process, and if that feels bullet proof consider your approach to your agent's guidance.
- 4 years ago
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Jeannie Ricke-Finley
CENTURY 21 Arizona West
You need the right Agent and Brokerage. MARKETING MARKETING MARKETING!
Bigger firms get more action.... and have specialists available to get the best exposure for your home on the Internet.
Home needs to be Clean and Neutral and De-Cluttered.
Make it easy to show at a moments notice.
Quick sales need to be priced right. Not in a hurry to sell, you may be able to wait for the right buyer.
I could show you !
Bigger firms get more action.... and have specialists available to get the best exposure for your home on the Internet.
Home needs to be Clean and Neutral and De-Cluttered.
Make it easy to show at a moments notice.
Quick sales need to be priced right. Not in a hurry to sell, you may be able to wait for the right buyer.
I could show you !
- 4 years ago
- Helpful (0)
- Unhelpful (0)
Nancy Call
REMAX REALTY GROUP
Hello,
Many things come to mind. First off is it priced right? How do the pictures look? Have you googled your address to see what your listing looks like to the buyers out there? How easy is your agent to get ahold of? Is the home easy to show?
Things to think about.
Good Luck
Many things come to mind. First off is it priced right? How do the pictures look? Have you googled your address to see what your listing looks like to the buyers out there? How easy is your agent to get ahold of? Is the home easy to show?
Things to think about.
Good Luck
- 4 years ago
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Rafay Qamar
Compass
Hi Harris, there could be a variety of reason for a house not selling, even though its rare in a seller's market like ours. Some of the most common factors are location, condition, price and marketing. Happy to assist and answer more questions if you'd like to connect. I can be reached at 773-516-1111. I run a 25 broker team selling well over 150 million annually and do over 400+ transactions so pretty savvy when it comes to different scenarios. Good luck with your journey!
- 4 years ago
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Sara Andrews Hartz
The Real Estate Group
I would take many things into consideration including but not limited to the price, location and condition. I know this is a hot market. However, you can still overprice a home. Also, this time of year the market will slight slow down due to graduations, travel, etc. So before someone tells you to reduce the price of your home because there is not much activity, please don't. You need a better reason than that. I have saved my seller thousands of dollars and happy to share with you how I do this.
- 4 years ago
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Judy Bibbings
eXp Realty LLC
It could be overpriced or dated or in need of care
- 4 years ago
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