Every real estate agent has dealt with at least one listing that just won’t sell. You and the sellers can both become discouraged once the property has sat on the market for months without any real interest. Fortunately, there are some tested strategies for difficult properties that have proven to work in the past. Try one or more of them to improve your chances of a successful sale.

A Real Estate Agent’s Guide to Listings That Won’t Sell

1. Reduce the Price

A home that is priced at market value should sell within a reasonable time frame. If the listing just won’t sell, it may be priced too high. Run some new comps for the property, then sit down with your seller and discuss a better price. They may be open to reducing it if you can show them that the property is priced too high.

2. Change the Photos

Many potential buyers will decide whether to schedule a showing or not based on the listing photographs. You could be missing out on a lot of buyers due to poor photos that are blurry, dark, or that just make the home look small. Hire professional listing photography, then redo all your home brochures and online listings with them.

3. Hire Professional Staging

Staging makes a big impact on how buyers see a home: it highlights the desirable features while drawing attention from the less-desirable ones, and it helps buyers make an emotional connection with the home. Hire a professional cleaning service if the home is at all dirty, then bring in a stager. If your seller is on a budget, target just the main areas: the living room, the kitchen, the dining room, and the master bedroom.

4. Tackle Some Improvement Projects

If your seller has the budget and is willing to invest, consider home improvement projects. Choose what to do based on what the property needs; you can tell a lot about the first impression it gives by looking at showing feedback from buyers and getting input from other real estate agents. Some common low-budget projects that make a big transformation include painting, refreshing landscaping, and putting in new flooring.

Every real estate agent will find their job easier with the right brokerage to support them. EXIT Realty Upper Midwest is the home for lucrative and rewarding careers in real estate. They have franchises throughout Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. They offer complete support to their team with tools and knowledge, as well as residual income opportunities for a comfortable retirement. Learn more on their website and call (651) 505-3570 to talk about your career!