Why can't I sell my flat?

Some properties are hard to sell. What was planned to take a few months drags on for years, even though at first glance a given flat or house ought to sell faster. Why does this happen? In today's article we present the most common causes of problems with selling a property.

An asking price that is too high

This is the most likely reason why a property cannot be sold. Owners want to earn as much as possible and often set a price that is too high and, on top of that, non-negotiable. This is very off-putting for potential buyers, so even an attractive flat stays without a buyer for a long time. So if your property won't sell either, think again about its price. Remember that it is not only floor area that counts, but also location, type of construction, floor and technical condition. The final price should reflect all these factors. Using the services of a professional estate agent, who will help set the most realistic price, may prove helpful.

An impractical layout

It often happens that a flat is simply impractical. Walk-through rooms, too many sloping ceilings, no balcony, a non-functional arrangement of rooms – all this puts off potential buyers. If our property for sale has such drawbacks, they need to be disguised as much as possible. A renovation that removes some of the flaws may be needed. A badly designed flat should also be priced correspondingly lower. By clinging stubbornly to an inflated value, we may wait a long time for the transaction to be completed.

Marketing mistakes

Property owners often "shoot themselves in the foot" when trying to sell. They post sloppy listings and do not prepare the flat properly for viewings, forgetting that first impressions matter most. So let's not shy away from a thorough clean-up and home staging before viewers arrive. The flat should be prepared just as meticulously before the photos for the listing are taken. Nor should we neglect the listing description. When writing it, let's focus on the language of benefits, highlighting the flat's real advantages. But let's remember to include in the listing all the information that may interest a potential buyer. Leaving it out may mean that someone browsing will not consider our listing at all.

The owner's approach

The owner's attitude to the process of selling a property also matters considerably. If we want a quick transaction, let's not avoid answering phone calls from potentially interested people and replying to e-mails. Delay can scare off many buyers.

An equally important matter is looking at your flat objectively and recognising both its drawbacks and its advantages. Insisting that it is the most exceptional property on the market, and inflating its price accordingly, will not bring us willing buyers. Let's also try to keep our emotions in check when dealing with viewers. Bristling at every remark or question does not help build a good business relationship, on which the success of the undertaking depends.

When trying to sell a flat, you can make many unwitting mistakes that make it harder to complete the transaction. If your property has also been sitting among other listings for well over a year, that is a clear signal that you are doing something wrong. In such a situation it is worth turning to a professional who will diagnose the shortcomings and polish your listing so that both parties to the transaction are satisfied.