Trying to sell your home and getting zero offers is frustrating. If your Kansas City property has been sitting on the market longer than you expected, it’s time to step back and figure out why. In my experience, the issue usually comes down to a few simple things. Here are the most common culprits, and how to fix them.
Are You Truly “On The Market”?
There are plenty of ways to sell your house, but listing it with a full service real estate agent is the most proven way to sell your house for top dollar. For maximum exposure, your house really needs to be listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Plenty of people think about selling their house “For Sale by Owner”. Why not try? In the age of information, it’s easier than ever to find a buyer for your home using FSBO websites, Zillow, etc.
Despite that, 91% of sellers are using an agent to sell their homes (more than ever). That’s because they see the value in quality service, experience, and getting results when selling their homes. Posting a home for sale online isn’t the same as being “on the market”. It’s only a small piece of the puzzle.
For more information about selling your house For Sale By Owner, check out: How Successful Are ‘For Sale By Owner’ Sellers?
Are You Getting Enough Showings?
If you’re not getting at least one showing per day after the first weekend on the market, you could have a problem. Right now, there is a specific pool of buyers looking for a house exactly like yours. Because buyers search for homes by price bracket, your agent must know the most popular price brackets for your specific neighborhood. If they don’t, your house could be practically invisible to the best buyers.
Buyers cannot fall in love with your house if they don’t come to see it in person. If they don’t fall in love, they aren’t buying. If foot traffic is low, your pricing strategy and online visibility might be the culprits.
When Can Buyers Tour the Home?
Can buyers tour your house when it’s convenient for them? If not, you’re likely leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table. The more friction you put between a buyer and their ability to view your home, the less money you will make.
Keeping your house clean and show-ready can be exhausting, but there are ways to simplify the process, like decluttering and packing up non-essentials early. If you truly must restrict showing times, make those restrictions the exception, not the rule.
Is Your Marketing Working Against You?
Today’s buyers shop for homes online. That means you only have a few seconds to grab their attention before they scroll on to the next listing. High-quality, professional photography is a must.
Your photos must do two things: accurately portray your house in a positive light, and pique enough interest to get buyers to come see your home in person. Avoid uploading so many photos that you leave nothing to the imagination. You want to invite curiosity, not overwhelm them. Too much and they’ll scratch you off their list.
Understanding the Current KC Real Estate Market
To be blunt, sellers from 2020 to 2024 had it pretty easy. Inventory was virtually non-existent, and interest rates were less than half of what they are today. Buyers were essentially willing to buy anything, regardless of price or condition.
Those days are behind us. Don’t get me wrong, most areas of the KC metro, especially Johnson County, KS, are still in a seller’s market, but sanity has prevailed. Buyers have limits on how far they are willing to stretch.
What That Means For You:
Your house needs to be priced accurately and in line with comparable sales in your neighborhood, adjusted for features and condition. Furthermore, if inspection issues come up, you need to be reasonable about what buyers will accept.
In Closing
These adjustments might seem basic, but in real estate, doing the little things right is what guarantees success.
In short: get listed properly on the MLS, price it right for the current KC market, make showings easy and frictionless, and invest proper marketing that sparks curiosity. These simple fixes drive offers in today’s market.
For more information, check out my guide: Make Buyers Fall in Love With Your House.
If you have any questions or are struggling to get your home sold, you can reach me below. I’d love to chat!
Justin Rollheiser – REALTOR®
Keller Williams Realty | Diamond Partners, Inc.
13671 S Mur-Len Rd | Olathe, KS 66062
Mobile 913-800-7653
Office 913-322-5878
Comments or Questions?