My Realtor Isn't Selling My House: What Should I Do?

Your home has been listed.

The photos are online. The sign is on the lawn. Maybe you've had a few showings — or perhaps hardly any.

But the result is the same:

Your house isn't selling.

And eventually, it's natural to start wondering:

Is it the market, the house, the price — or my Realtor?

The answer isn't always straightforward.

A home remaining on the market does not automatically mean your Realtor isn't doing their job. There are many factors that influence how quickly a property sells, including market conditions, competition, pricing, presentation, location and buyer demand.

But as a seller, you should understand why your property isn't selling and what your Realtor is doing about it.

Here's where I would start.

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1. Look at the Data — Not Just the Days on Market

The first question shouldn't simply be:

“Why hasn't my house sold?”

It should be:

“What is the market telling us?”

Your Realtor should be able to show you what's happened since your property was listed.

Have comparable properties sold?

Have new competing listings entered the market?

Have competing sellers reduced their prices?

How many showings has your property received?

What feedback are buyers providing?

Are buyers viewing the listing online but not booking showings?

Are people booking showings but not making offers?

Those scenarios can indicate very different problems.

A good listing strategy should evolve as new information becomes available.

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2. Is Your Home Getting Showings?

Showing activity can tell us a lot.

If comparable homes are receiving attention but yours isn't, it may be time to examine your pricing, photography, marketing, property presentation or positioning.

If you're receiving plenty of showings but no offers, that's another signal.

Perhaps buyers don't perceive enough value at the current price.

Perhaps something about the property is creating hesitation.

Or perhaps competing properties are simply presenting a stronger value proposition.

The important part is identifying the pattern.

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3. Has Your Realtor Discussed Price With You?

This conversation isn't always comfortable, but it is necessary.

Sometimes a property doesn't sell because the market simply doesn't support the asking price.

That doesn't necessarily mean your home isn't beautiful.

It doesn't mean you made poor renovations.

And it doesn't necessarily mean your Realtor did something wrong.

It means buyers are comparing your property with every other option available to them.

Your Realtor should be monitoring comparable listings and sales and explaining how your home is positioned relative to the competition.

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4. What Is Actually Being Done to Market Your Home?

Putting a property on MLS should not be confused with having a complete marketing strategy.

Depending on the property and target buyer, marketing might include professional photography, video, social media, digital advertising, email marketing, agent-to-agent promotion, database marketing, open houses, property-specific landing pages and other strategies.

Not every property needs every marketing tactic.

But you should understand what the marketing plan is and why those strategies were selected for your home.

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5. Are You Receiving Regular Communication?

Even when there isn't an offer, there should still be communication.

Your Realtor should be keeping you informed about meaningful developments in the sale of your property.

RECO identifies keeping clients advised of significant steps taken during representation as one of the duties that should be reflected in a representation agreement.

You shouldn't have to wonder indefinitely:

What's happening?

What are buyers saying?

What has sold nearby?

Has our strategy changed?

What happens next?

Those are reasonable questions for a seller to ask.

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6. Review Your Listing Agreement

If you're unhappy with your Realtor, don't assume you can simply hire another agent tomorrow.

Your listing or seller representation agreement is a contract with the brokerage.

Review the agreement carefully, including:

the expiry date, services being provided, remuneration, termination provisions and any holdover provisions.

RECO advises consumers to understand how long their representation agreement lasts, what services are being provided, their rights and responsibilities, and whether and how the agreement can be cancelled.

If you're uncertain about your contractual obligations, ask your brokerage for clarification and obtain independent legal advice where appropriate.

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7. Have a Direct Conversation With Your Realtor

Before assuming the relationship has failed, have a direct conversation.

Ask:

Why do you believe the property hasn't sold?

What does the showing and buyer feedback tell us?

What has changed in the market since we listed?

How does our price compare with what's actually selling?

What are you recommending we change?

What is our strategy for the next 7, 14 and 30 days?

You should leave that conversation with a clearer understanding of both the problem and the plan.

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8. What If You Still Don't Feel Confident?

Sometimes the issue isn't one specific mistake.

It may simply be that the relationship, communication style or strategy isn't the right fit.

RECO recommends that sellers choose an agent whose approach and expectations align with their own.

If you have concerns about your existing representation, understand your contractual obligations before engaging another Realtor to provide services or representation.

Ontario agents also have obligations regarding existing client relationships. An agent who knows or ought to know that someone is represented by another agent generally must communicate through that agent unless appropriate written consent has been obtained.

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Your House Isn't Selling. Now What?

A listing sitting on the market isn't automatically evidence that something has gone wrong.

But it is information.

The question is whether that information is being analyzed and used to make better decisions.

Sometimes the answer is patience.

Sometimes it's pricing.

Sometimes it's presentation.

Sometimes it's marketing.

And sometimes it's time to reconsider the strategy or professional relationship.

The important thing is that you understand what is happening, why it's happening and what the plan is from here.

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Thinking About Your Next Step?

If you're considering selling your home, or you have questions about what may be preventing your property from selling, the Ana Bastas Real Estate can help you understand current market conditions and the factors that may be affecting your property.

If you're currently represented by another brokerage, we will respect that existing relationship and can discuss working together once you're legally able to do so.

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