HELP! My northern New Jersey home sale isn’t happening!

The moment you decide to list your northern New Jersey home for sale, visions of that perfect new owner dance in your head.  The way they will walk through the front door, gasp a little, nod approvingly at everything they see and then present you with a shiny full price offer with no contingencies!

We all wish for that and we’ve all heard the stories of newly listed homes being sold above asking price before you can blink your eye.

What if that isn’t your experience?

You may have been through one – or even two! – cycles on the market and are still looking for that one perfect buyer.

There are 3 main reasons a house isn’t selling.  Read on, and if one of these rings any bells for you, do not despair!  The circumstance can be repaired and a sale can still be in your future!

1. Over pricing is never the answer. The number one reason a home languishes on the market is PRICE. We all want to make sure we aren’t under pricing and cheating ourselves of our rightfully earned equity in our real estate investment. While it is true that a potential buyer can and most likely will offer under list price trying to get the best deal for themselves, pricing too high has the opposite effect of helping you get every penny of equity. The best strategy is the tried and true strategy of PRICING AT FAIR MARKET VALUE.  Your fair market value will be a combination of the features, style and amenities of your house compared to others in the immediate vicinity and what price they sold for.  Your local marketing specialist will take into consideration the specifics that will affect you personally when suggesting the right price range for your sale.
2. Difficulty in viewing the home. Whether it’s poor visual presence on the internet or an inability to schedule a viewing for the home at THEIR convenience, if a potential buyer can’t see your house according to their comfort level, chances are slim to none they will put your home on their short list for purchase.  A seasoned local marketing specialist has a unique understanding of real estate sales in your area and will plan a marketing strategy that fits in your particular marketplace.  Trust their expertise to guide you and instead of woes you’ll have a tale of success to share.
3. Condition of the home.  Starting with the all-important first impression curbside to the closet where all the miscellaneous of your life is (ahem!) stored. While living in your home – BE COMFORTABLE! BE AT HOME!  However, once the decision to sell is made, you need to disconnect emotionally and prepare physically for the home to transform into a HOUSE for sale.  You’ve made beautiful memories here, but those are leaving with you, just as all the furniture and your personal possessions will be packed and moved to the new place.  It’s time to clear the way for new owners to make their own beautiful memories.  Your mind set has to change from “family home” to “product for sale”.  Look to your local marketing specialist to help you prepare the product to sell at the highest price in the shortest time possible.  You’ll be so glad you did as you are freed in mind and heart to embrace the future you are moving into!

If your home has been on the market for a while it’s time to reevaluate your strategies.  There are buyers out there that want to buy your home, you just need to find the best approach to getting them through your door.  We’re here to help you do just that!