You Listed Your Houston Home and it Didn't Sell? Now What?

You Listed Your Home for Sale..but it Didn't Sell

You told everyone you were selling your house, and now when people ask how it's going, you're not even sure what to say because you don't really know what happened. It didn't sell. You didn't get the fun closing picture to share with the world that you've SOLD your home and bought a new one. And to top it all off, you don't really know why.

It can be incredibly discouraging, and if you're like the other home owners we've spoken to in this situation, you're likely feeling a mix of frustration, confusion, and maybe even a little embarrassed. Trust me, you're not alone.

This Happens More than You Think

We see new expired listings showing up in neighborhoods all over Houston every day, and these are in great Houston neighborhoods like the Heights, Timbergrove, Oak Forest, and even Memorial. These home owners have experienced the same disappointment as you.

Below is a table with the number of the number of homes that were listed and did not sell in some of the core neighborhoods we work in for 2025 so far:

The good news is, with the right strategy, we also see some of those homes being re-listed and selling (sometimes for even more than what it was originally listed for)!

Questions You Might Be Asking Yourself

We know having a listing that didn't sell can bring up a lot of questions and concerns. As a realtor team in Timbergrove and the surrounding areas, we hear them all the time. Below are answers to some of the common questions you might be asking yourself.

Why Didn't My Property Sell

This is the big one. You likely had expectations, and when they weren't met, it's natural to wonder what went wrong. 

The 3 most common reasons we see homes not selling are:

1. Unrealistic Pricing
2. Poor Presentation
3. Insufficient Marketing

Each listing is different, and you might already have some ideas as to why. Sometimes it's even a combination of the 3 above. The good thing is, we know from your previous listing what didn't work, so we can do something different to achieve a successful result!

Can I Trust Another Agent?

After a less-than-ideal experience, trust can be a major hurdle. You might be hesitant to work with another listing agent, wondering if you'll just face the same issues. We don't blame you! With over 50,000 licensed agents in Houston alone, it can feel overwhelming to know how to pick. Let us give you the advicewe give our friends and family when they're looking for a realtor out of state, and the questions we suggest they ask:

1. Do they have experience working in your neighborhood/area?: It's not enough to be a realtor in a city, make sure the agent you choose helps lots of buyers and sellers in your specific neighborhood.
2. Do they have a proven track record?: You want to work with an agent who has multiple years of experience and has done more than just a handful of transactions. Checking reviews is also a great way to tell what you can expect from working with an agent.
3. Do they pass the "cup of coffee test"?: This might sound silly, but you're going to be working hand-in-hand with this person for several months, you want to make sure they're someone you enjoy being around and would feel comfortable grabbing a cup of coffee with!

How Long Will It Really Take This Time?

The thought of more showings, more cleaning, and more uncertainty about the timeline can be exhausting. It would only be fair for you to want a clear strategy and a realistic expectation of how long it will take to sell your home this time around. Based on the most recent monthly HAR Housing Report published in April 2025, the average days on market for Houston is 62 days. 

Average Days on Market: The average amount of time it takes for a home to accept an offer and go under contract.

It's important to note a couple nuances to this:

• The average days on market does not include the time to prepare a home to sell (7-30 days) or the time it takes to close once the contract has been accepted (an average of 30 days).
• The average days on market varies based on the neighborhood, property type, pricing strategy, and marketing.
• Each agent and team has their own average days on market - the average days on market for the Smooth Selling Realty Group is 27 days.

The best way to get a good estimate is to work with a team who can give you more specifics for your situation. When we work with our clients, we present a recommended list price range that typically dictates approximate days on market. 

Should I Just Wait Until Next Year?

The idea of putting it all on hold might seem appealing. But delaying your decision without all the facts could mean missing out on current market opportunities. Understanding the present market dynamics is key to making an informed choice. The best way to get a pulse on this is to reach out to a local expert and get their take.

Here's the thing, what we often see is the listing agent who previously listed your property will often tell you it was "the market" that caused the home not to sell. The truth is, the market is always fluctuating. As professionals, it is our responsibility to present realistic and data-backed information so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your investment based on the current market.

At the Smooth Selling Realty Group, we believe in creating clients for life and presenting the data based on the current market (even if that means giving you a listing price suggestion below what you were hoping). We've even had clients come back to us in the past after ignoring our listing suggestions, attempting to sell with another agent, and then come back to us so we can get the job done. We will always choose honesty and integrity over telling you what you want to hear, that's why you hire us.

Do I Have to Use the Same Agent?

You might feel obligated or unsure of your options regarding your previous agent. It's important to know that you have the freedom to choose the best partner for your current needs. If you choose to work with Smooth Selling Realty Group, we will handle the communication with your previous agent if that's something you feel uncomfortable with. In fact, we will invite them to our open house to bring their buyers along since they're so familiar with the property! 

Is Selling Myself (FSBO) the Answer?

The allure of saving on commissions is understandable. However, navigating pricing, marketing, legalities, and negotiations on your own can be challenging and potentially cost you more in the long run. 

Let us share a couple statistics with you:

• Declining Market Share: The FSBO market share has decreased to approximately 6% of all home sales in 2024, many of which were sales when the seller had already identified their own buyer.
• Low Success Rate: Only about 11% of FSBO sellers successfully complete the sale without eventually involving a real estate agent.
• Significant Price Difference: In 2024, the average FSBO home sold for roughly $380,000, while agent-assisted sales averaged around $435,000. That's a potential price difference of approximately $55,000. This is largely due to the fact that FSBO sellers often don't understand the contracts and don't reach as many buyers if they're not listed on the MLS.

If you think back to when you purchased your current property, there was so much that went into the home purchase. You've got to be able to read and interpret the contract offer, and be in a position to negotiate. These are all things we can help you with at the Smooth Selling Realty Group. On average, we have 100% sales price per list price average, meaning we sell homes for 100% of what we list them on average. 

Not only do we have a proven pricing strategy backed by data, we have never had a listing expire!

The Good News

The good news is that a home not selling doesn't have to be the end of the story. It can be a valuable learning experience that leads you to a more successful outcome the next time around. Also, depending on how recently your home came off the market, it's possible that the real estate market has shifted favorably for you!

Based on the most recent HAR Housing report, average and median home prices in Houston are on an upward trend (see graph below):

As a dedicated real estate agent team with over 9 years of experience with a proven track record (we've never had a listing expire), we can offer a fresh perspective and a strategic approach designed to address these very things.

Our commitment is to provide you with:

• Honest and Data-Driven Analysis: Understanding why your home didn't sell requires a clear look at the numbers. I am an engineer by degree and use my analytical and problem solving skills to review your listing and diagnose the issues so we can execute a successful and smooth transaction together. 
• Strategic Pricing: Positioning your home correctly in the current market to attract the right buyers. We have an average sales price per list price ratio of 100%, meaning on average we sell a home for 100% of the listing price. 
• Effective Property Presentation: Showcasing your home's best features to make a lasting impression. We have worked in the Houston market for over a decade in the same neighborhoods with both buyers and sellers. We know what buyers are looking for and can highlight those features in your listing.
• Targeted Marketing: Reaching the right buyers where they are looking. Since we have lived and worked in this area for over 12 years, we have a database of buyers and agents working with buyers who are looking for properties just like yours and will connect them with your property!
• Consistent Communication and Guidance: Keeping you informed every step of the way. Our communication is one of the main things people loved when working with us, and something you will see in our past client reviews.

If you're interested in getting a fresh perspective and analysis on why your listing didn't sell, let's connect! Fill out your information at the link below and we'll get started on putting together a market analysis right away!

What's My Home Worth Now?

We'd love the chance to take a look at your previous listing and property and let you know our thoughts and share our strategy for getting your property not only listed, but sold!

- Smooth Selling Realty Group

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