What to do if you're unable to sell your house?

Selling your house is not always as easy as it seems. Especially if the market is unfavorable, you list the property at too high a price, or there are issues with the house itself. In this article, we discuss the 6 main reasons why a house doesn't sell. Then we give you useful tips on how to quickly and successfully sell your house anyway! 

Go directly to:

• Reason 1: Too high asking price
• Reason 2: Deferred maintenance or defects
• Reason 3: Poor photos or description
• Reason 4: Unattractive interior
• Reason 5: Bad timing
• Reason 6: Too little promotion

Reason 1: Too high asking price

Has your house been on the market for a while, but you haven't received any serious offers yet? Then it's likely that you've priced your property too high. If the price of your house is too high compared to other houses in the neighborhood, this could be a reason for potential buyers not to come for a viewing. 

Reducing the asking price

Have you had a (free) valuation done by a real estate agent? Or have you done your own research into asking prices of comparable homes in the area and painfully concluded that your asking price is too high? It is often wise to lower the asking price. This is the way to get your home into the sight of your target audience. They will now schedule a viewing more quickly and make an offer sooner. 

Seek advice from a real estate agent or appraiser

Be aware that there are also some risks associated with such a price reduction. It can give house hunters a bad impression in some cases. It may seem that as a seller you are desperate to sell your house, which weakens your negotiating position. Additionally, it can lead to a loss of confidence among buyers. They may think something is wrong with the house or that you are in financial trouble.

It is important to consider these risks before deciding to lower the selling price of your house. It is advisable to seek advice from an experienced real estate agent or appraiser to ensure you set a realistic price and that the benefits of a reduction outweigh the drawbacks. 

Read more about how Mijn Verkoopmakelaar can help you find a real estate agent. Not sure if you need a real estate agent? We have listed the pros and cons for you. 

Reason 2: Deferred maintenance or defects

Is your house in poor maintenance condition? This can deter potential buyers. They worry about the costs of repairs or renovations and probably wonder what else needs to be done to the property. Only a modest group of buyers dares to buy a house with deferred maintenance. If your home is old or if defects are visible, such as mold or peeling window frames, this can cause buyers to back out. Or not even come for a viewing at all. 

Fix up your house for a faster sale

To still sell your house quickly, you might consider making the necessary repairs and renovations to bring the house into good maintenance condition. This makes your house more attractive to potential buyers, increasing the chance of a successful sale. With a few adjustments, you can also increase the value of your house. You might also consider having a structural inspection carried out so that you know what repairs are needed. This way, viewers know exactly where they stand and can make an informed decision.

Reason 3: Poor photos or description

Another reason your house might not be selling could be if the photos or description of the house are not appealing. It can deter buyers because they cannot form a good picture of the house or because the description is not convincing enough. It simply doesn't capture them. And if you've ever scrolled through Funda, you'll likely know: as a buyer, you've decided within a fraction of a second whether you're interested or not. Good images are therefore super important. 

Professional photography or a virtual tour

To display your house well, you might consider having professional photos taken. Photos where the best features are well highlighted and where searchers get a good impression of the spaces and layout of the house. You might also consider creating a virtual tour of the house so that home seekers can imagine even better what it looks like. Many selling real estate agents offer this service (sometimes included in the package, sometimes as an additional service). 

Attractive description

Additionally, it is important to write an attractive description of the house that emphasizes the unique features of the house, such as the location, the size of the garden, or recent renovations. A professional real estate agent is happy to assist you with this. 

Also, take a look at the sales pages where you list your house for sale. These should be clear and give a clear picture of the house so that potential buyers can quickly orient themselves.

Reason 4: Unattractive interior 

You might never have considered it, but your interior could also be the reason fewer people schedule a viewing. Tastes differ, after all. Home seekers prefer spacious, light homes with a clean and minimalist interior. The less personal, the better. Think of the styling of a hotel room. This way, it is easiest for them to imagine living there themselves. 

Tips for an attractive interior for home seekers

If your house looks untidy, outdated, or cluttered, it can dampen the interest of potential buyers. On our page about making your house ready for sale, you can read how to clean and style your home. We walk you through every room of the house, so every corner looks perfect.

Here are a few important takeaways when styling your house:

• Ensure a tidy house. Make sure there is no clutter or unnecessary items in the house, as this can make the spaces appear smaller than they are. 

• Use neutral colors. Think of colors like white, beige, and gray; these shades help make your house appear larger and create a calm atmosphere. And that is exactly what buyers love.

• Use the right lighting. It can help draw attention to the best features of your house. Don't place too many objects in front of windows and ensure enough lighting in dark corners. And remember: always go for warm light, not too white (bright) light. Atmosphere guaranteed!

• Use a professional home stager. With many real estate agents, you can use this service. A professional home stager can help present your house more attractively. They can tidy up, organize, and improve your house so that it looks more attractive to potential buyers. Very handy if you have difficulty with it yourself.

Reason 5: Bad timing

Sometimes it just really doesn't work out. Have you decided to sell your house, and suddenly there's a recession looming, multiple neighbors put their houses up for sale, or mortgage rates are skyrocketing. Not the best time to sell your property, perhaps? Below, you can read what is possible in these situations.

Flexible sales conditions

If you still want to sell your house, you can consider being flexible with the sales conditions, such as offering a financing escape clause or a longer dissolution period. This can reassure potential buyers and encourage them to make an offer.

Adjust sales strategy

You can also consider adjusting your sales strategy, for example, by selling your house to investors or real estate agents. The advantage is that your property is sold very quickly. However, the downside is that you often have to significantly compromise on the sales proceeds. Whether this is wise in your case depends entirely on your situation. In our article on selling your property to a real estate agent, you can read more about this. Need to sell quickly? Also, check out the rest of our tips for a quick house sale. 

Determine realistic asking price

It is very wise to hire a professional real estate agent who can help determine a realistic price for your house, taking market conditions into account. 

Looking for a good real estate agent in your area? Get in touch with top agents in no time through Mijn Verkoopmakelaar. The nice thing is: you don't have to do anything yourself. After entering your zip code, house number, and some details about your property, you will be contacted by real estate agents with a proposal. We work exactly the opposite. You can sit back while the proposals come in. Saves you a lot of phone calls! Compare real estate agents based on costs, sales speed, and services. Want to know more? Read here what Mijn Verkoopmakelaar can do for you.

Temporarily renting out your home

Another option you might consider if your house cannot be sold during a poor economic situation is temporarily renting out your home. Until the situation is more favorable for a sale. This can help you cover the costs of the house and generate a stable rental income until the market recovers.

There are a few things to consider if you want to rent out your house. Here are some important points to note:

• Permits: check if you need permits to rent out your house, and make sure you apply for these before you start renting.
• Insurance: make sure you have insurance for renting out your house, such as building insurance and liability insurance, to protect against any damage.
• Lease agreement: ensure you draft a clear lease agreement that states the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant.
• Inspection: plan regular inspections of your house to ensure it remains in good condition and that no overdue/unnecessary damage occurs.
• Taxes: inform yourself about the tax rules for renting out a property, so you know how much you have to pay and how to declare everything.

Keep these matters in mind and consult with a real estate agent or an accountant before you start renting out. This way, you ensure you comply with all laws and regulations and generate stable rental income. Read here all about selling a rented property.

Reason 6: too little promotion

Unfortunately, it can also happen that you're unable to sell your house because there has been insufficient or poor promotion. This can happen if you're using a real estate agent who only does the bare minimum, or if you're selling your house yourself and don't know how to market your house. Your home might be a hidden gem, but if no one knows what it has to offer, you won't get any viewings either!

Therefore, it is vital to choose a good real estate agent who knows how to market your house. A real estate agent who has experience, a good network, and knows how to present your house can make a big difference in the sales process. 

Promotion possibilities

A real estate agent can help in various ways with the promotion of a house. Here are some examples. A real estate agent can:

• Create a professional brochure with photos and information about the house. This brochure can then be distributed among potential buyers. Think not only of physical brochures but also online newsletters in which the latest housing offer is sent to home seekers. Many real estate agents have a large database of home seekers. 
• Place the house on various websites like Funda, making it visible to many people. Without a real estate agent, you can't list your property on Funda.
• Help with the promotion of a house using social media. Thanks to social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, a large and relevant audience can be reached. The house can be shared on their own channels but can also be offered to the right target audience through targeted ads. More and more real estate agents see the value of social media opportunities. 
• Organize an open house, so interested parties can view the house and form an impression.
• Assist in making professional photos. This can help attract buyers' attention and generate interest.
• Help create a virtual tour. It gives interested parties the opportunity to digitally explore the house. This can help give buyers a better understanding of the house and contribute to a faster sale.
• Bring the house to the attention of his or her contacts, such as other real estate agents, enabling the house to be sold more quickly.

It is important to know that not every real estate agent works the same way, and not every real estate agent offers the same services, so it's wise to inform yourself well in advance. Are you looking for a real estate agent via Mijn Verkoopmakelaar with specific services? Then put this in your description when you sign up. You will then receive responses from real estate agents who can offer you these services.

Promote the special features of your home

Does your house, compared to other homes in your neighborhood, have some special features? Things that make the house extra attractive? Then it's essential to highlight these extras well in the promotion. Is your house, for example, the only one in the area with a view of an expansive, green landscape? Mention this in the sales texts on housing sites and add several professional view photos to the photo series. 

There are many different things you can do if you have a house that is difficult to sell. Don't worry, with the right approach, it will work out. Find out the cause and try our solutions. We hope they will help you and wish you the best of luck!

More information about selling your house

• Selling a House: everything you need to know
• Prepare house for sale
• What is the best time to put your house up for sale?
• Compare the best real estate agents of the Netherlands
• 5 tips to determine the asking price
• Renovating house for sale
• Selling your house because you're going abroad
• How do I quickly sell my house?
• Purchase agreement
• Selling a house with or without a real estate agent?
• 7 adjustments that increase the value of your house
• 3 biggest risks of selling a house with leasehold

frequently asked questions

• why is nobody buying my house?

  In most cases, the reasons are the following: too high asking price, overdue maintenance or defects, poor photos or description, unattractive interior, bad timing and/or too little promotion.

• what to do when your house is not selling?

  You can try a few things such as: more promotion, offering your house for a lower asking price, renovating or redecorating your house, hiring a Real estate agent or switching Real estate agents.