How to Sell a Difficult Home

A home that has too few rooms, that is too small, that is situated in a challenging location or that is ugly can make it difficult to sell. However, small things like wall treatments and outdated appliances can also make your home difficult to sell. If you are having trouble selling your home, then take these steps to improve your chances of making a sale.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Talk with a real estate agent to see how your home rates. Real estate agents know what sells and what doesn't. They will be able to help you identify issues your home has that will make it difficult to sell. They will also be able to provide you with practical suggestions for improving your home's appeal.
2. Determine if a lease/option proposal will help you sell your difficult home. Homeowners who have difficult homes to sell sometimes find that offering a lease/option to people will improve their chances of making a sale down the line. People who are looking for lease/options are looking for a way to earn equity in a home without having to deal with closing costs. After the lease period is up they can use the equity that they have earned as the down payment, making it much easier for them to qualify for a home loan for your property.
3. Neutralize your decor. People are put off by "unique" color choices and wall treatments. If your home is not selling, examine your decor. Remove wallpaper and paint neutral tones throughout your home.
4. Remove clutter from your home. Toys, pet supplies, nick-nacks and too much furniture can all make your home look smaller than it actually is.
5. Add extra lighting to brighten up the living spaces. One thing that turns people off is dark living areas. Add extra lamps and candles to brighten up your home. This will make your home look more cheerful, more inviting and it will also make it look bigger.
6. Consider improving the curb appeal of your home. When people first drive up to your home they will make a judgment. If the outside of your home is dirty, cluttered and weathered, then they are going to assume the inside is as well. Their bad opinion of the outside of your home is also going to spill over to their opinion of the inside. Improve the curb appeal of your home by power washing or repainting the exterior, manicuring the lawn, planting flowers, adding lighting elements, fixing cracks in your driveway or sidewalks and making sure that yard waste has been removed.
7. Price your home according to what your market will support. Overpricing a home will make it difficult to sell, especially if your real estate market is slowing down. Price your home slightly under what you think it can sell for, to encourage multiple bids.

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