- Price. Does your property doesn’t sit competitively with similar properties in the same price range? Go online and see what you would buy for the price you are asking for. Unless there’s a similar property that’s been stagnating on the market for months at the same price, then you will surprised at what you could buy. The housing market is also relatively slow at the moment. With less buyers around, they are obviously looking for the best value for money. Talk to your estate agent about why your property is not selling, whether you should drop your price, then ask yourself how long you are prepared to wait for the right buyer.
2. Presentation.
You need to clean, de-clutter and properly prepare your home for sale. Then read our article “20 Things to Do to Present Your Property for Sale” which will give you the best tips on how to best present your property for sale. If there is an issue with how the property is generally presented, your estate agent will not necessarily point this out to you. They may risk losing the instruction or offending you. Generally estate agents will showcase the best points of a home, and not highlight the issues. Whereas, our recommendations on the Home Sale Presentation Report will find the issues, you then follow the recommendations and make the property more appealing. Read our article “I need help to sell my home!”

3. Promotion.
If the price is good, and the property is well presented, then the problem may lie with the estate agent. A mistake in the listing, poor photographs, or a missing floor plan could be reasons why your property is not selling and getting overlooked. Scrutinise your listing and ask the estate agent to make amendments. Also ask your estate agent if they list on RightMove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket. There will be buyers who use one platform but not another, and you want to cast the widest net possible.
4. Location.
Unfortunately, this will be out of your control. If you are right next to a petrol station (for example), this will be reflected in the price. But if you’re next to a school, this would deter some buyers but not others. Generally, if the price is right, and the property is well presented, buyers will overlook problems with the location (for example: high road noise).

5. The kitchen.
Old and tired kitchens are a turn-off for buyers. Replace your kitchen to make the property more appealing, whatever you spend will also be reflected in the selling price, probably more. Be careful with your budget, high-end kitchens with granite worktops are expensive and don’t always add value to a house, especially if there are other rooms that need attention. Replace or repaint cabinet doors if the cabinets themselves are still good and solid, if you have a limited budget. De-clutter the kitchen as much as possible.

6. The bathroom.
The smallest room can also be the most important room in the house when it comes to making your property appealing. If the décor is generally in good order and nothing needs replacing, then de-cluttering and cleaning is very important. Change the grout in the tiling if it is dirty, and replace the silicone sealant. If you have the budget, remodelling the bathroom is definitely a worthwhile project. As with the kitchen, if you are clever with the budget you can add value and appeal to your home. En-suite bathrooms should be at the same standard as the main bathroom.

7. The layout.
Extensions, conservatories and poor design choices means the property doesn’t work as it should. Open plan layouts are more popular now, so check if there’s anything that could be improved within the footprint of your house. Other issues could be a toilet off a kitchen, not enough storage space, going through a bedroom to get to another bedroom or bathroom. Make sure you have good access to the garden, so think about changing your back window for sliding or folding doors. Ask us for design advice to make the layout more appealing.

8. Not enough parking.
No parking or not enough parking is a real problem for some properties. A four bedroom property with a space for one car will not sell easily. Children are now staying at home into their twenties, and they may have cars themselves. Eventually most cars will be electric and will need to be charged. See if there are ways to use the outside space to create more parking. If your property is absolutely stunning other than the parking issue, then buyers may walk the extra mile to live there.
9. The garden.
It may be too big or too small. If it is overlooked, make the outside space more private with clever planting. Larger gardens where buyers will be concerned about the work required to maintain it can be broken into smaller zones by adding patio and seating areas. Fill your borders with low maintenance shrubs and other plants. Check your garden is tidy and that sheds are in good repair and paint/treat as necessary. Small gardens can be made to feel cosy and some buyers may be looking for a no-maintenance small garden.

10. One little thing lets the whole property down.
The other points in this list were the big reasons why your property isn’t selling. Room sizes can be a deterrent even if the layout of the property is good. In a three bed property, it’s always that the third bedroom is too small. It’s the same for four and five bed properties. You can’t please everybody all the time. However, if you currently use that small room as your office, consider moving the desk out and put a bed in. This will help the buyer visualise how the space can be used. Ask your Estate Agent for feedback after each viewing to help you identify and resolve problems, or ask us what that “one little thing” is. Lastly, remember most buyers don’t want to move into a property they feel needs immediate work.
