What A Stagnant Listing Really Costs You In Omaha, Nebraska
When trying to “sell my house fast in Omaha, Nebraska“, a house that sits on the market for too long will only end up working against you. In our latest post, we will help you learn how to sell quickly, avoiding a dreaded stagnant listing in Omaha, Nebraska.
When a house sits on the multiple listing service for weeks or months at a time, the odds of it selling decrease astronomically as time goes on. It will drop down the list of available properties, getting viewed by less and less people. When it sits stagnantly for a period of time, people will begin to assume there is something wrong with it. Even if it is great shape, properties that stay on the MLS for a long time often become overlooked. On the MLS and listing sites such as Zillow, prospective buyers can easily see price changes and how long it has been on the market. Repeatedly dropping your price can make you appear desperate, making people feel as if they can offer a low price and you will accept. Below, we offer some insight as to why your house isn’t selling in Omaha, Nebraska and what you can do about it.
Why It’s Not Selling
Priced Too High
If a home is priced too high initially, people will pass on by. The listing will slowly make it’s way down the list so even if you drop the price to something more reasonable, you won’t have as many prospective buyers seeing the listing. This why it is very important that when you understand the market conditions in your regions, market and neighborhood. You need to know days on market, are they trending up or down? What are the sold prices doing the last six months for comparable properties? Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet, garage, same neighborhood etc. etc. When choosing a real estate agent make sure and get references, find out how long they have been selling real estate, have the real estate agent justify why they want to price your house at the suggested price. Have the agent show you research that should include everything above and much more for justification on how the price was decided. The initial pricing of your home is extremely important for generating interest and also bargaining power once a contract has been accepted.
Bad Photos or Description
First impressions are very important when selling your house. That starts when the prospective buyer drives up to your house. Any aspect of a bad listing or advertisement will make people look the other way. Quite often, you will see a listing with bad or limited photos. It is well worth the additional upfront investment to bring in a professional photographer to take pictures of your house for the different marketing campaigns. It is also important you take the time to clean the clutter out of the house and put all of the “clutter” into the storage unit. Another expense that is well worth the time and money. Paying a little upfront will make a big difference in how your listing is received. You should also make sure the ad copy is on point. Highlight the positive features and amenities of the house, being sure not to leave anything out. One last thing that will make a tremendous difference and is well worth the cost is to have your house professionally cleaned.
Dark and Dreary
When people come to view your Omaha, Nebraska house, they shouldn’t feel as if they are in a cave. Open all the curtains and let in as much light as possible. Your prospective buyers will feel more comfortable in an open space as opposed to a confined and dark area. Again, first impressions mean everything. You have already decided to list your property and you are probably like most home buyers and want top dollar for your house. If you expect top dollar for your house you should expect to go the extra mile by utilizing these steps we are talking about in this blog to help sell your house fast in Omaha, Nebraska.
Major Repairs Required
Many lenders won’t grant loans for people to buy properties in need of major repairs. You should expect to fix the necessary and obvious things that you have been putting off for possibly years. If you want to sell your house fast in Omaha, Nebraska you may want to consider adding one or two upgrades to your property that other houses do not have in the area. If your property is run-down or needs a good amount of cosmetic work and you do not have the money or time to make the necessary changes, you might want to consider selling your home directly to a local house buyer in Omaha, Nebraska like Harter Investments, a direct sale might be a more realistic way for you to go. In short, there is no commission to be paid to a real estate agent, no closing costs, no costs to make the necessary repairs to sell your house and no holding costs while your house is on the market. You will be able to walk away with cash in your hand and close on your terms.
What A Stagnant Listing Is Costing You
The longer your listing sits idly, the more the house ends up costing you. You will be sinking money into the house for the continued expenses (holding costs) such as utility bills, homeowners insurance, and property taxes and day to day maintenance like mowing the lawn, general lawn upkeep, snow removal, pool maintenance, cleaning, furnace maintenance, etc. etc.. You will also have to consider the time and money you put into the house getting it ready for the multiple listing service, sometimes all for naught.
What You Can Do About It
Avoid The MLS Altogether
Many people in Omaha, Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa as well as across the country are opting to sell their homes to local house buyers directly. The process will free them from commissions, repair costs getting the house ready to sell, holding costs, and not knowing if or when the house will sell. At Harter Investments, we are a team of local direct house buyers in Omaha, Nebraska who can make a fair all-cash offer on your house almost immediately. There is never any obligation. If you have tried to sell in the past without any luck, or if you simply want to sell without any cost or waiting, a direct sale in Omaha, Nebraska is an option you should seriously consider.
Upgraded Marketing
If you decide to relist the property you have in Omaha, Nebraska you may decide to do things differently the second (or third) time around. If you are going to do it, do it right. First off do your research and hire a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent. Find out what the real estate agent intends to do to market your house. Who will be paying for the marketing? In some situations, you may be able to negotiate the commission and marketing costs. Make the investment in a professional photographer or videographer to bring out the highlights in your house. Get rid of the clutter by hiring a professional cleaning service and put all the collateral items in a storage unit safe and sound away from the house. Pay the costs for the featured and upgraded online listing options. Do whatever you can to quickly get your house in front of as many people as possible. Remember first impressions mean everything.
Set The Price Right From Day One
Nothing can destroy a great listing faster than an unrealistic price. People will immediately assume the house is out of their league or that you don’t know what you are doing. With the internet and access to the internet, buyers are very savvy and will know exactly what they are looking for and have the knowledge of what is a fair, good or bad deal. Either way, if you do not list your house correctly the house listing on the multiple listing service won’t be taken seriously. It is very important in pricing your house right from the start, you will have a better chance of attracting the appropriate prospective buyers and selling the house in as little time as possible.
Do you have a house you want to sell fast in the Omaha, Nebraska area? Whether or not you have tried to list the home in the past, we can help you avoid the waiting, hassles, and costs of the traditional multiple listing service listing. Find out what a direct sale can mean for you! We always make fair and honest cash offers for Lincoln, Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa houses!