Dear Meara,

It might be time to have a new market analysis to see what houses in a similar location have been selling for in the past 3 or 4 months. Even though its not the best location try to make the exterior inviting. Flowers in pots or a small garden out front could encourage buyers to come in even though it might not be their ideal location. Remember, you only get one shot at making a good First Impression. I know this can be very frustrating but there is a buyer for every house. I hope yours comes along soon.
Karen

Just chiming in. You can not change location. You can change price to the point people will overlook it.

If there's anyway to "hide" the location, then do it. Examples: trees for screening a busy road; adding blinds or otherwise obscuring the view of the busy-ness from inside the home, playing soft background music to hide the sounds of the busy-ness. But, in the end, you'll still have to lower your price.

Hello, Meara,

All the answers are correct. If you have your home listed with a Realtor, your Realtor should be able to give you some answers to this question. When your Realtor is getting feedback what has been the specific responses from the agents who have shown the house? Location is something you cannot change, but at the right price, homes will sell. I have a house listed for sale at the corner of Edgewood & Wilkinson, which is on a busy street and is only 1 block from the I-95 overpass. Last year it did not sell because the price was too high. The home has had many updates from a top of the line kitchen with stainless & granite to a wonderfully landscaped yard. This year we listed it and priced it to sell and with only 1 showing, got it under contract. The buyers who bought the house found this house to be the best buy out there for the money! So even though location was not the most desirable, the fact that it showed to perfection & was priced better than the competition were the reasons this one went under contract. This is what you will need to do. Have your agent do a new Market Analysis for you to make sure that the prices have not changed since your home went on the market, critically look at your home from the buyers eyes, visit your direct competition to make sure that you are truly the best buy out there and then make your home the best buy! Houses are selling, even with the slower market! Buyers are out there, but they have lots to choose from and are very picky about what they are buying! Good luck to you with your sale!

Barbara Reagan
Long & Foster Realtors

Meara- there are plenty of things that you can do...but you cannot change your location.
You can change the condition and price...
Understand that when you lower your price by $10,000 it lowers a potential Buyer's monthly payment bu about $55...that doesn't do much to expand your pool of potential Buyers.

"While a $20,000 or $30,000 reduction in price seems nice, a lower interest rate through paying down points or a buy down can save the buyer more money over the life of a loan."
http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/14/homes-sales-incentives-forb…

To compensate for the location you should price your home aggressively and you may consider offering incentives to stimulate curiosity & interest and gain a competitive edge.

"The lure of the prize may be the catalyst for the sale."

Hi Meara,
Mary is right! Focus on the positive aspects of the location of the house. Some people like to be in a busy area and may not realize your house as an option. Would your house be a good prospect as a rental for an investor? Price, location and condition are the keys to successfully selling a house. They must balance each other. So, also as Mary mentioned, perhaps you need to improve the condition of your house. And finally how are you advertising? Are you on the top websites? If you are having difficulty you should hire a Realtor. It;s worth it!
Wythe

Hi Meara,

The location is one factor that can't be changed. However, you may change many other ones that will attract a buyer. Those are the factors that you market.

Think about what made you buy in that location: was it price, curb appeal, ease of commuting, attractiveness of the house itself? If you and your neighbors chose to live there, what is it that you and they like?

If the location has become less desirable in the time you have lived there, then perhaps you'll have to decrease the price, increase the curb appeal, increase the security, and make sure the house looks and smells as good as possible inside as well as out. Make sure you have lots of pictures on the internet featuring the attractive elements.

Good luck.

Mary Margaret Gates