Why Can't I Sell My House?

The housing market is becoming increasingly difficult to break into, with high prices for first-time buyers and expensive fees when selling homes. If you’re already on the property ladder and looking to sell your home, you may be in for a long wait as you search for the right buyer at the right time. During this time, though, it can seem like the sales process will never end.

Selling your home is a major commitment, and it takes a lot of time to settle everything you need. If it feels like you can’t sell your house, you may need to take some extra steps to boost its appeal, or change your approach to how you plan on selling it.

We’ve assembled a guide to help you secure a sale if you’re struggling to sell a home. From quick marketing tips and tricks to advice on picking the right seller, we’ve got all you need to get the best deal possible.

How hard is it to sell a house?

With high costs across the board, selling a property on the UK housing market is a long-winded process at the moment, especially if you’re taking the estate agent route. Agents want to make sure they’re selling to the right people, which means there are plenty of hurdles to overcome and checks to pass before you reach a mutual agreement with a potential buyer.

The high cost of entry to the housing market is also turning many younger, first-time buyers away. More and more people are relying on mortgages to secure their homes, which can lead to complicated legal issues when selling through agents.

Additionally, many sales can fall through if you and a buyer aren’t aligned on specific details. According to Estate Agent Today, almost 60% of housing sales collapse after the offer stage.

When is the best time of year to sell a house?

The housing market can fluctuate throughout the year, which means there may be less or more interest in your property depending on the season.

According to The Advisory, using data gathered from Rightmove, it’s best to sell your house in the Spring. March, April, and May are the most active months for the market. December is the hardest month for sales, due to festive commitments, while August is the second-hardest due to summer holidays.

While it’s still possible to sell a house at any time of the year, you may be waiting on a sale during an off-season. You may not be able to wait until the next peak season to make a sale, but it’s worth keeping an eye on market activity and planning your advertising accordingly.

Why is my house not selling?

If you feel like you can’t sell your house, you’re not alone, but some patience is required. The HomeOwners Alliance claims that the average time to sell a house in the UK is 5 months, so if you’re early in the process, don’t expect a quick turnaround if you’re selling through estate agents or marketing your own sale.

Sometimes, there are additional factors that get in the way of a sale. Here are some of the common things that could be holding you back from finding your next buyer:

High Asking Price

Is your home’s price tag too high for the local area? Take a look at some other listings for homes of similar sizes, conditions, ages, and locations. Your asking price should be competitive enough to ensure you get a good deal, but not so high that buyers feel like they’re being ripped off.

Awkward Location

Some areas are better connected than others, with handy transport links and strong local communities. Others may have a reputation for anti-social behaviour or expensive rent. Location is important when selling a home, so make sure to talk up your surroundings and look for any positive elements nearby that could help persuade a buyer.

Bad First Impressions

First impressions make all the difference, so if you don’t look like you’ve put the effort in to present your home perfectly, some buyers are likely to skip your listing. Make sure you clean up and take clear, high-quality photos for your listings. Keep your outdoor area neat and tidy for a positive kerbside impression, and remove any clutter from indoor photos to keep your rooms looking spacious.

Poor Condition

If your home needs extensive repairs, renovations, or maintenance, buyers may be put off by the extra costs required to get it back into working condition. Although it might be expensive to pull off, consider fixing any glaring issues before putting the property on the market.

Estate Agent Issues

Selling your home through an estate agent that fails to do its job efficiently can be extremely demotivating, especially when they charge additional fees for their services. Some agents may take too long to respond to potential buyers, fail to market the property enough, or advertise your home for less than it’s worth. If you’re facing these issues, consider selling your property through another means.

What are my options for selling a house?

There are plenty of ways to sell a house, and they each have their own pros and cons. If you can’t sell a home one way, try switching to any of these other options:

Estate Agents

The most common way to sell a home is to contact an estate agent and allow them to market the property for you. They’ll arrange things like viewings, paperwork, and advertising, but this comes at an additional cost that can add up over time if you struggle to sell your home fast.

Private Sales

If you’d rather not pay an agent, you can try selling your home privately, but this takes lots of effort and planning. You’ll need to advertise the listing yourself, either online or in-person, and managing viewings from potential buyers can eat into your personal time. However, it’s an efficient way to maximise your profits if you’re an experienced salesperson.

Property Auctions

Auctions are typically best for unusual properties, homes that need extensive renovations, or properties that need to be sold fast. The fast-paced auction environment can help you make a profit, but with entry fees and a commission on successful sales, you won’t keep 100% of the profits.

Cash Buyers

If you need to sell your house fast, a private cash buyer is the best way to guarantee a sale. These companies use available funds to buy your house outright in a matter of days. Although they often offer less for a home than the market value, the additional fees that come with other sales methods mean that a cash offer is often as little as 2.5% less than your total profit when selling through an estate agent.

Is selling to a cash buyer better than selling to an estate agent?

The different ways of selling a property all have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it all depends on your preferences. Selling to a cash buyer is the best option if you want to guarantee a fast sale, such as if you’re in need of money fast or you need to get the property off your hands. Estate agents, however, are best if you’re looking for a traditional sale managed by a third party.

Cash buyers can often secure a sale for your home in a matter of days or weeks, while many other agents can take months to find a buyer for your property. If you prioritise your time and convenience, they’re the best option for you.

How to sell your home fast with The Property Buying Company

Selling your property to a cash buyer like The Property Buying Company is simple. Call us on 0800 024 8444, or enter your postcode on our website for your free cash offer. Once you’ve given a few details about your property, we’ll call you back to confirm some information before making our first offer. Then, our team will work alongside you to finalise an offer and present a contract, dealing with all the legal fees and paperwork along the way.

Ready to sell your home fast? Get in touch with The Property Buying Company today and see how we can help!