Why Your Home Isn’t Selling and What to Do About It
When your property first went on the market, you probably expected steady enquiries and regular viewings. But if weeks have passed with little progress, it can leave you wondering what’s gone wrong. The truth is, even strong homes can stall when something in the mix isn’t quite right.
At Charles Bainbridge, we often meet sellers who come to us feeling disheartened after a slow or silent campaign. The good news? Most problems can be identified and fixed and once they are, momentum returns.
Here are the most common reasons a home struggles to sell, and how to turn things around;
1. The listing has gone stale
A property’s launch window is its most valuable period. During those first few weeks, buyers searching in your price range will see your listing at the top of results. If nothing happens during that time, the listing naturally slips down the rankings and loses visibility.
Once a property appears to have “been around a while,” buyers begin to assume there’s something wrong with it — even when there isn’t.
What to do:
Ask your agent how many people have viewed your listing online compared to how many have booked viewings. If engagement has dropped, a refreshed set of photos, revised description, and updated listing date can reignite interest.
2. The photography doesn’t do it justice
Buyers make their first impressions online, and visuals are everything. Poor lighting, awkward angles, or untidy rooms can instantly reduce click-through rates.
Even beautiful homes can be overlooked if the images don’t tell the right story. Bright, well-composed photography not only shows space and flow but creates emotion — helping buyers imagine living there.
What to do:
Request professional photography that captures key lifestyle details: garden outlooks, period features, or light-filled spaces. Ask to review the images before they’re published so you can approve the presentation.
3. You’re targeting the wrong buyer segment
Every home has an ideal audience. A modern apartment near the station attracts professionals, while a larger house in Bridge or Bekesbourne suits families. If your property is being promoted to the wrong group, viewings will stay low.
What to do:
Check that your listing highlights the features that appeal most to your likely buyer. Is your copy focused on space and practicality for families, or convenience and location for commuters? A targeted refresh can help attract the right attention.
4. The price needs a subtle adjustment
It’s a delicate subject, but price remains the most influential factor in any sale. Even a small overestimation can move your property out of reach for the buyers most likely to act.
If you’ve had good viewing numbers but no offers, feedback about pricing is worth listening to. Adjusting the figure, even modestly, can place your property into a more active search band and trigger new enquiries.
What to do:
Ask your agent for fresh market evidence based on comparable sales in the past 4–6 weeks. Pricing with the current market, rather than the market of a few months ago, keeps you competitive.
5. How to get back on track
When a sale stalls, the best approach is a reset, not a rush. A professional agent will audit every detail, from presentation to pricing, and develop a relaunch plan that restores visibility and confidence.
At Charles Bainbridge, we help Canterbury sellers re-energise listings by combining new marketing materials with clear, evidence-based advice. Often, a few small changes are all it takes to attract the right buyer.