What else can be done.....

I recently received the following email:

"Our house has been on the market for 121 days with XXXX Realty. I don't know what is going on, but I wondered what else we can do to get this home sold. Our agent doesn't really tell us much...."

First, you need to meet with your agent or at the very least, have a conversation with him. What has been done to date to market the home, what activity has he seen and what does he suggest? If he's avoiding you, he probably doesn't know what to say which is a bad sign. Even if he has nothing to report, he should be telling you exactly that.

Do you have a recent market analysis to show if your home is comparably priced? Are there enough flattering pictures on the MLS? Are there other forms of internet advertising and are they done creatively? Does your agent spend part of every day trying to attract new clients?

Our company offers a free Builder's Evaluation to our clients. We have a builder on staff who will visit a potential or new listing and evaluate the condition. He will make suggestions about things that can be done to improve the showing appearance or that will increase the value.

Are you offering any incentives to buyers/buyer's agents? A popular incentive in this market is offering to pay the first year of insurance for the buyer, or assisting with closing costs (which is limited by many types of loans, so consult a professional).

As I've said before, communication is the key. If you don't know what's going on, you can't put your finger on the pulse of the market and know where you stand.