If you’re eager to sell your house promptly and at a favourable price, the key is to attract potential buyers for viewings. When your property is in excellent condition and priced reasonably, hosting numerous viewings significantly enhances your chances of finding the right buyer. This is especially true if your estate agent diligently carries out their responsibilities.
But if you are struggling to sell your home because no one is viewing it, it is perfectly reasonable to ask why this is the case.
Several factors influence the number of people viewing your property. However, it’s important to remember that these are not insurmountable obstacles.
The blog below outlines some of the common issues and provides practical solutions. By addressing these issues, you can turn your fortunes around and increase your chances of attracting potential buyers.
1. The asking price is wrong.
Potential buyers are unlikely even to consider viewing your property unless it is reasonably priced. Your estate agent should consider market conditions, your house’s condition, local amenities, the selling price of similar properties in the area, and much more when deciding on the best figure.
If buyers in the market can find a better deal elsewhere, they won’t prioritise viewing your house. This further shows the importance of selecting the right estate agent—if the price is wrong, it will severely affect your chances of making a sale.
If you’re uncertain about the accuracy of your asking price, seek advice from an impartial property expert who can provide an unbiased opinion. Additionally, you can research the selling prices of similar properties in your area.
This way, you can actively participate in the pricing decision, which not only empowers you in the selling process but also ensures that you have a say in the value of your property.
2. Lack of curb appeal
You should pay careful attention to your house’s curb appeal when you list it on the market – and if you choose the right estate agent, they should be able to guide you on this. Your property’s appearance from the curb will be seen in online listings, your brochure, and when people walk by.
There are some simple ways to improve your curb appeal:
- Mowing your lawn
- Trimming your hedges
- Getting rid of unattractive weeds
- Make sure your driveway looks good
- Fixing broken windows or doors
- Putting up new fences if your current ones are falling down
Your property’s appearance from the curb should also be considered with a ‘For Sale’ sign at the front. People cannot book a viewing if they do not know you are selling – so putting a sign-out front can grab passers-by’s attention, increasing your likelihood of viewings.
3. You aren’t using the right estate agent.
Your estate agent is arguably one of the biggest influences on the number of viewings you have. After all, it is their job to market the property and get people through the door – including using their brochure, online listings, a ‘For-Sale’ sign at the front, and contacting their network of potential buyers in the area.
There may be nothing wrong with your house other than your estate agent’s determination to find potential suitors. If they have a lot on their plate or are simply inefficient at their job, your house may not be a priority, and viewings will suffer.
Where possible, you should regularly follow up with your estate agent to guarantee that you stay top-of-mind. Some sellers prefer to choose a company that does not charge a drop-out fee, as this gives them the leverage to threaten to walk away (and use a rival estate agent instead) if they want to.
Other dangers are also involved with using the wrong estate agent, such as a higher likelihood of a chain breaking down, miscommunication cropping up throughout the selling process, or taking longer for the deal to go through.
4. Poor photography
Photography is a significant part of your marketing efforts; your estate agency must get this spot-on.
Although it is not always possible, your photos will ideally be taken when the sun is out and when you (the owner) have considered more minor details, such as removing clutter, cutting the grass, etc.
If your estate agency did not give you a choice of the photographs used in brochures and online listings, ask them to provide you with the full range of options. If the current pictures do not yield results, you may want to try new ones.
5. Unsolved legal issues
Unresolved legal issues may be scaring people away. For example, potential buyers may have second thoughts if the property is tenanted, has squatters, has an outstanding serious neighbourly dispute, or has unclear borders.
Sometimes, your estate agent may be obligated to describe these challenges in an online property listing (i.e. Rightmove or Zoopla) and the printed brochure. This might prevent people from calling up to arrange a viewing in the first place.
It may be worth considering how this information is being presented/described to potential buyers and finding ways to resolve the legal problems permanently. Hence, they are no longer a factor.
If you have not adjusted your asking price to reflect the legal issues, then this is something you may need to think about, too.
6. Nearby developments that are turning people away
In almost all situations, potential buyers want clarity about the property they are buying – and if local factors are still ‘up in the air’, this may stop them from viewing the house.
For example, if a train track is being constructed alongside your garden, this could turn people away. There may also be unresolved questions in your neighbourhood, such as whether a main road will be built nearby, whether a new lighting installation will shine through one of your windows, whether parking restrictions will be changed, or countless other examples.
Any uncertainty surrounding local developments or laws could give potential buyers cold feet. The sooner you can get clarity on these issues, the better – or else, you may have to bring down your asking price to compensate.
7. Market conditions aren’t favourable
Market conditions are not just a cliché; they are a significant factor in property market activity.
For instance, during a period of high-interest rates, expensive mortgages can deter people from upsizing, which can pose challenges for those selling larger houses. Similarly, economic downturns can lead to a decrease in buyer confidence and a slowdown in the property market.
If you want the sale to go through as quickly as it usually would, you may need to reduce your price in line with market conditions. Before deciding, you should speak to your estate agent or a property expert.
8. Your lease is too short.
Most people require a mortgage to purchase a house, especially in the current market conditions when the gap between property prices and the average salary is enormous. In this instance, the length of your lease (on a flat) is significant.
When your lease falls below 80 years, lenders are unlikely to offer a mortgage on it. This means that unless someone is a cash house buyer, they may be unable to purchase it.
Your estate agent will usually feel obliged to clarify this information on property listings so that viewers’ (and your) time isn’t wasted through pointless visits.
You may want to extend your lease to a length that a bank will offer a mortgage on before you list it on the open market. Otherwise, you will severely limit the number of people buying it.
If you’re struggling to sell on the market, you have options
We Buy Any Home offers a direct and proactive solution if you’re facing difficulties selling your property due to a lack of viewings. Selling your house to us means bypassing the traditional market’s uncertainties. Whether it’s due to condition issues, location disadvantages, or simply not attracting enough potential buyers, we understand the frustration and are here to help.
We Buy Any Home purchases properties in any state, providing a fast, cash transaction that eliminates the need for repairs or waiting for buyer mortgages to be approved. Our process is straightforward: reach out to us, receive a fair cash offer, and close the deal quickly. Choose us for a certain and swift resolution to your selling woes, transforming your stagnant listing into a completed sale with minimal hassle. If you’re pondering over “Why is no one viewing my house?”, it’s time to take action with We Buy Any Home for a guaranteed and prompt sale.
