Why Some Homes Sell Immediately — and Others Sit on the Market

On average, St. Louis area homes are on the market for 30 days before selling. Some sell within a few days, and others can take a couple of months in slower seasons. Overall, though, most homes are matched with a buyer within a month. 

If a house sits on the market for longer than that, there’s usually a reason. We’ll discuss what draws buyers’ interest right away, or why they might turn their noses up at a new listing. Most importantly, how to sell a house faster if you’re looking to get under contract ASAP.

The first few weeks after a house is listed can shape the entire trajectory of a sale. Here are a few reasons why some homes don’t sell as quickly as others:

It’s Priced Wrong

When pricing a home, some owners take only square footage into consideration. However, the desirability of the school district, neighborhood location, age, and condition of the home are big factors, too. For instance, a mid-century, 3,000 square foot home in Hazelwood should be more affordable than a similar house in an affluent area like Kirkwood, simply because the cost of living in those cities is historically so different. If a seller lists their home at the same price as a house they saw for sale in another suburb, it might not sell if it’s not within the budget of buyers looking in that area.

On the other hand, some sellers price their homes too low, hoping buyers will end up in a bidding war that drives up the sale price. But when a house is priced way below similar homes in the area, this can backfire. Buyers might think the house needs too much work, or wonder if there’s something wrong with it. And the longer it sits, the lower they will expect to pay.      

It’s in Undesirable or Poor Condition

Homes for sale in St. Louis may be few and far between, but even the most eager buyers don’t want an ugly house—or a money pit. Bad curb appeal, such as peeling paint or a yard filled with weeds and overgrown bushes, can cause homes to sit on the market longer. 

Major flaws can turn buyers away even more quickly, such as safety hazards like a sloped porch or cracked sidewalks; expensive fixes like a failing roof or broken appliances; and bad smells from cigarette smoke or pets.

And one huge reason why a home doesn’t sell is when the condition is so bad it can’t pass a home inspection. When this happens, it’s almost guaranteed to sit on the market unless the owner is willing to sell it as is, at a deep discount. 

It Isn’t Marketed Well

A house will surely sit on the market if it isn’t reaching—or appealing to—target buyers. Perhaps it isn’t listed on the most popular real estate sites, or the realtor isn’t making the extra effort to host open houses. Even worse, the online listing doesn’t feature photos that accentuate the home’s strong points or potential, like vaulted ceilings, a newly remodeled kitchen, or a great rec room for hosting guests. 

Today’s busy buyers want proof that listings are worth looking at before even stepping inside, especially if they are looking for a move-in-ready home.

The best way to find a buyer right away is to hire a great real estate agent. The agents at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties have inside information and can offer St. Louis home selling tips that work, such as:

Using a Pricing Strategy Relative to Neighborhood Expectations

When you ask a real estate agent, “What is my home worth?” they will base their answer on knowledge of the local market. Realtors price homes to sell fast after considering things like:

• Size, layout, and age
• Recent upgrades and special features that have improved its value
• The home’s condition, including major systems, the roof, and appliances
• What other homes have recently sold for in the area
• Supply and demand; if lots of buyers are currently looking in that area, the home will be worth more

Making Sure the Home Will Please Buyers

To ensure buyers like what they see in a home and feel confident it’s worth their investment, a great realtor will:

• Offer sellers advice on affordable updates that boost value and please buyers, such as leveling concrete, painting the interior in neutral colors, or replacing carpet in a home that has had pets 
• Make sure major systems like roofing, plumbing, and HVAC are up to code and will pass inspection

• Suggest a home warranty to boost buyers’ confidence, particularly if it’s an older home
• Stage the home to show its potential, maximizing special features and allowing online browsers to picture themselves living there

Marketing the Home to Qualified Buyers

Long before a home hits the market, there needs to be a strategic marketing plan to draw interest to it. An experienced seller’s agent will create and execute a marketing plan that includes:

• Taking professional photos that accentuate the property’s best features
• Posting the photos on high-traffic real estate websites where buyers are browsing
• Hosting open houses, and advertising those open houses on popular social media sites
• Contacting local buyers’ agents that may have clients interested in the property

With years of expertise in the St. Louis market, a solid pricing strategy, and a passion for all things real estate, our agents help clients attract serious buyers fast. For the best chance of selling your property within days of it hitting the market, contact  Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties today.