My Home Didn’t Sell! Now What?

Are you a homeowner stuck with a property that hasn’t sold? Maybe your listing expired, or you withdrew it from the market because the lack of progress so disheartened you. Or perhaps you tried to sell your home on your own with no results.

If that’s you, you’re in the right place! Read this guide to learn…

  • The top five reasons a home doesn’t sell

  • Action steps to overcome each of these issues

This marketing piece is not intended as a solicitation for properties currently in an exclusive agreement with another Broker.

Reason #1: Bad Timing

If your home didn’t sell after several months on the market, timing could’ve been a factor. Markets are driven by the law of supply and demand, and real estate is no exception.

When demand outpaces supply, it’s considered a seller’s market and homes get snapped up quickly. In a buyer’s market, however, there are more homes for sale than active buyers. This can cause homes to sell for less money and to sit on the market for a longer period of time before receiving an offer.

Now What?

In most cases, buyers can be motivated to act with a combination of improvements, incentives, and pricing. If you suspect timing played a role in your inability to sell, consult with a knowledgeable real estate agent. We can estimate how long a home like yours should take to sell given current market conditions.

Hillary Gaynor
If you suspect timing played a role in your inability to sell, consult with a knowledgeable real estate agent.
Reason #2: Ineffective Marketing

Did your home get a steady stream of showings when it was on the market? If not, you may need to try a new promotional strategy.

Take a look at your listing description and photos. A clear description and high-quality photos are crucial. Many buyers use these to decide whether or not to visit your home. Another factor to consider is whether your listing reached the right audience. Some properties require a more robust marketing approach to be found by the most interested buyers.

Now What?

If you suspect ineffective marketing, consider turning to a skilled professional with a proven approach. We employ the latest technologies to seed the marketplace, optimize for search engine placement, and position your home for the best possible impression right out of the gate.

Want to learn more? View our complete Property Marketing Plan.

Hillary Gaynor
If you suspect ineffective marketing, consider turning to a skilled professional with a proven approach.
Reason #3: Poor Impression

If your property received a lot of foot traffic but no offers, you may need to examine the impression you made on buyers who visited your property.

Start with your home’s structure and systems. Are there any “red flags” that could’ve scared away buyers, such as large cracks in the foundation or water stains on the ceiling? What about neglected maintenance and repairs? Finally, was your home properly prepped to maximize its appeal? A clean and decluttered space helps buyers more easily picture themselves living in your home.

Now What?

When we take on a new listing, we always walk through it with the homeowner and point out any steps that should be taken to boost its sales potential. In some cases, we will recommend that you utilize staging techniques that are shown to help homes sell faster and for more money. We can help you determine the appropriate budget and effort required to get your home sold.

Hillary Gaynor
We can share tips on how to prep your property before each showing to maximize its sales potential.
Reason #4: Price Is Too High

It’s possible your home’s original asking price was set using sales data from before a market shift. But regardless of the economic climate, pricing a home is always tricky because so many factors can impact how much buyers are willing to pay.

Many homeowners are reluctant to drop their listing price. But the reality is, buyers may not seriously consider your property if they think your home is overpriced. If your home sat on the market for months without an offer, then chances are good that your asking price needs to be reevaluated.

Now What?

If you aren’t in a rush to sell, adjustments to timing or marketing may bring in a new pool of potential buyers. And repairs, upgrades, and staging can increase the perceived value of your home, which may be enough to bring a buyer to the table at your original list price.

However, if you need to sell quickly, or you’ve already exhausted those options, a price reduction may be necessary to get your home the attention it needs. We can help you determine a realistic asking price given today’s market conditions.

Hillary Gaynor
We can help you determine a realistic asking price for your home given today’s market conditions.
Reason #5: You Hired the Wrong Agent (Or No Agent At All)

If you suspect that your previous real estate agent didn’t do enough—or used the wrong approach—to sell your home, you’re not alone. Many sellers whose listings languish until they expire or are withdrawn feel this way.

Or, perhaps you chose not to hire a listing agent at all and have been trying to sell your home yourself. That can be an equally frustrating experience—and research shows it can actually cost you time and money in the long run.

Now What?

If either of those scenarios sounds familiar, we should talk. By now, you owe yourself more than the status quo when it comes to your real estate representation. Our multi-step Property Marketing Plan can help you sell your home for the most money possible, and in the process reconnect you with the excitement you originally felt upon first listing. It’s time for a new agent, new marketing, new buyers, and most of all… new possibilities.

Hillary Gaynor
It’s time for a new agent, new marketing, new buyers, and most of all... new possibilities.
Hillary Gaynor

Ready to Make a Move?

Hillary Gaynor

I grew up in Centerbrook, CT so I am a New England girl at heart. I moved out to Washington State to attend college and received my degree in psychology. While in Washington, I developed a deep passion for the outdoors including golfing, biking, hiking, kayaking, and skiing. I even climbed Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. I moved to New Hampshire in 2002 to attend UNH in which I received my master’s degree as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I worked as a therapist for a while at a state agency. I eventually decided to make an important life change and pursue my interest in real estate. I was interested in real estate investing and this led me to get my real estate license. It felt like the perfect balance of being able to still focus on helping others and my other passion of real estate. My husband, Jamie, is a geologist and works for an environmental company. We have two daughters and currently live in Stratham, NH.

Hillary decided to become a Realtor because she has a genuine passion and excitement for real estate and for helping people. With Hillary’s general personality and her background of being a therapist she is really able to assist you through your real estate transaction, which can be a stressful and complicated process, but also enjoyable. One of her greatest assets is her ability to listen. Hillary will listen to your needs and concerns and will work with you to achieve your goal. Hillary has exceptional communication skills, which can also help in the negotiation process. It is important to Hillary to build relationships with trust and respect, not only with her clients but also with other people that she works with. Hillary understands and will be part of the entire real estate transaction and be present to your needs, so that you have less anxiety and get the most from the process, a successful deal! Whether you are selling, purchasing, or investing; with Hillary’s experience and knowledge of real estate and market conditions and her overall enjoyment for real estate and working with people, she can and will provide you with great real estate deals again and again!

When we are working together; I will -

listen seek to understand your needs, concerns, motivations, expectations, and your individual situations
be available to you and reachable
be committed to helping you and reaching your goals
be competent in helping you make important decisions provide professional help in managing the details
always keep you informed through the real estate process
provide education about the process and the events that will occur during the transaction
work to ensure that each transaction progresses smoothly and in a timely manner
provide information and a comfortable environment for you to make important decisions


I am an exceptional communicator and negotiator. Whether you are selling, purchasing, or investing – I will use my knowledge and experience of the current real estate market conditions to give you a great real estate deal every time.

H&K Realty

1 New Hampshire Ave
Suite 125
Portsmouth, NH 03801
United States