(And How to Pivot Without Losing Time or Money)
Selling a home is never as simple as planting a sign in the yard and waiting for offers—especially in a market like California. Whether you’re listing in Los Angeles, Orange County, or the Inland Empire, the process can stall for dozens of reasons. And when your home sits on the market for too long, frustration builds, bills pile up, and buyers start wondering, “What’s wrong with it?”
If you’ve been stuck in that limbo, you’re not alone. According to Realtor.com, homes in California averaged 47 days on the market in mid-2024—but those with issues like pricing, repairs, or poor marketing often linger for 90+ days or more.
In this post, we’ll walk through the top 9 things you can do when your house isn’t selling, complete with real-life examples, data, and a few alternative solutions you might not have considered.
1. 🎯 Reevaluate Your Price
Price is still king. Even in desirable areas, overpriced homes won’t sell. Today’s buyers are smart—and they’ve got all the comps in their pocket.
Data Point:
A 2023 Zillow report found that homes priced more than 10% above market value received 70% fewer views and 50% fewer showings.
Example:
Mike listed his 3-bedroom in Pasadena for $925,000 based on a neighbor’s sale. After 6 weeks with no offers, he dropped the price to $879,000. Two days later: 3 showings and 1 full-price offer.
What to do:
Ask your agent for a fresh CMA (comparative market analysis) or get a second opinion. Pricing it right the first time is better than chasing the market down.
2. 🛠 Make Strategic Repairs or Updates
You don’t need a full remodel—but even small cosmetic fixes can make a big difference.
- Repaint bold walls to neutral tones
- Replace outdated light fixtures
- Fix cracked tiles or leaky faucets
- Improve curb appeal (fresh mulch, flowers, mailbox refresh)
Statistic:
According to the NAR, 79% of buyers say a home’s first impression is critical, and homes with simple landscaping updates can sell up to 10% faster.
Example:
Sara couldn’t sell her home in Riverside until she replaced the stained carpet with affordable vinyl flooring. Within a week, she got 2 offers.
3. 🖼 Improve Your Listing Photos
In a digital world, photos make or break your listing. If your photos were taken on an iPhone or in poor lighting, you’re turning buyers away before they ever step foot inside.
Tip:
Use a professional photographer (usually $150–$300) and include twilight shots, wide angles, and clean staging.
Bonus: Consider virtual staging for empty homes—it can increase interest by up to 60%, according to BoxBrownie.
4. 🏡 Offer Incentives to Buyers
If you’re getting showings but no bites, sweeten the deal.
Ideas include:
- Cover part of the buyer’s closing costs
- Offer a home warranty
- Include appliances or furniture
- Offer flexible closing dates
Example:
Carlos offered to pay for the buyer’s HOA fees for the first 6 months. That sealed the deal on his condo in Long Beach after 2 months of silence.
5. 🔄 Switch Real Estate Agents
Not all agents are created equal. If your agent isn’t responsive, lacks marketing effort, or hasn’t brought you a clear strategy—move on.
Ask questions like:
- How are you marketing the property?
- Are we priced right?
- What feedback have you gotten from showings?
Data Point:
Homes that are relisted with a new agent and fresh strategy sell 25% faster on average, per a 2022 study from Redfin.
6. 📣 Expand Your Marketing Reach
Is your property only listed on the MLS? That’s not enough.
Ask your agent (or do it yourself) to promote your listing on:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Instagram & TikTok (short video tours!)
- Zillow, Redfin, Trulia
- Nextdoor or Craigslist
- Real estate investment groups (if it’s a fixer)
Example:
Brianna’s Spanish-style home wasn’t getting traction—until she created a 30-second Instagram Reel. It got 10,000 views and resulted in a direct message from a serious buyer.
7. 🚧 Reposition It As a Fixer or Investment Property
If the house is outdated or in need of repairs, trying to sell it as “turnkey” may be backfiring.
Solution: Rebrand it as an “Investor Special” or “Fixer Opportunity” and adjust the price to reflect that.
This can attract:
- Cash buyers
- House flippers
- Landlords
- First-time buyers looking to build sweat equity
Pro Tip:
Create a “contractor’s bid sheet” to show potential buyers what basic updates would cost. Transparency can ease concerns.
8. 📆 Take It Off the Market Temporarily
If your listing is getting stale, consider withdrawing it for 30–60 days and relaunching with:
- New photos
- Updated staging
- Revised pricing
- A refreshed marketing campaign
This removes the stigma of a high “days on market” count and helps you reset.
Bonus Tip:
Re-listing during peak selling months (spring and early fall) typically brings more buyer activity.
9. 💰 Consider Selling to a Cash Buyer
If time, condition, or circumstances are working against you—selling directly to a real estate investor or cash buyer might be your best move.
When this makes sense:
- You’re relocating quickly
- The house needs major repairs
- You’re dealing with title issues, tenants, or probate
- You can’t afford holding costs
What you avoid:
- Repairs and showings
- Cleaning and staging
- Agent commissions
- Closing delays
If you want to get an offer from a trusted cash buyer in the Los Angeles area, make sure to reach out to Mrs. Property Solutions.
Example:
When Anita’s house in Anaheim sat for 4 months with no offers, she sold it directly to a cash buyer in 7 days—and saved nearly $20,000 in commissions and repair costs.
🏁 Final Thoughts
If your house isn’t selling, don’t panic—it happens. The key is to act quickly, evaluate your strategy, and adjust your course before the listing goes stale.
Whether it’s tweaking the price, improving the photos, or skipping the MLS entirely, there are solutions that work.
And if you’re ready to move on quickly and skip the hassle, Mrs. Property Solutions is here to help. We buy houses across California in any condition, with no fees, repairs, or delays.
📞 Call or text us at (602) 376-8391 or request your fair cash offer here: