Is Your Investment Listing Stale? 5 Ways to Give Your Property a Boost

"Stale" is not a word you probably want to use to describe your newly rehabbed property.  That's waht we want to hear when we are negotiating a deal.  However, we know "Timeis Money" and if it has been on the market for a while, "Stale" is how it is being viewed. Ideally, we would like our investmen properties to sell before we list it or within the first two weeks that it is listed. This is when it is fresh on the market and everyone is excited over it. If your investment property sits for longer than this, potential homebuyers start to wonder what is wrong with it and soon there is a bizarre dark cloud that makes itself at home overhead. If you fear your listing is stale, you need a positive change to give that listing a boost.

1. Find Another Agent - Your agent isn't necessarily to blame. Keep this is mind before looking for a replacement. However, if you feel like you and your investment are not getting enough attention this may be what needs to change.

2. Price Drop - A price drop may seem like the easy solution, but sometimes it's not. Decreasing the price too much can raise red flags, even if there is absolutely nothing wrong with the property and it is a competative price.

3. Work on Curb Appeal - What message is your front yard sending to potential homebuyers walking or driving by? It should be welcoming and inviting, getting homebuyers interested in seeing more. Many homebuyers drive by a home multiple times to check it out at different parts of the day before letting their interest be known.

4. Staging - There is a reason why people make a decent living staging homes! Creating an environment that inspires a buyer to imagine living there can be well worth the price these professionals charge. They know what buyers are looking for in different types of homes and can help maximize your home’s layout to sell fast.

5. Declutter - Take a consumer eye's view to it: If you were walking into this home for the first time what would be the first thing you notice? Is it the beautiful center piece on the kitchen table that allows the consumer to imagine themselves living there, or it is an empty space that does not leave room for the imagination? Ask someone you know for an objective opinion and then work to get your home in shape.

There can be a number of reasons why a property may be lingering on the market, but sometimes it is really just bad timing. If you have done everything right it could just be stale and may need something to make it fresh again.