Regardless of market conditions, with such a low supply of housing in the UK, the ideal outcome from a house sale is to generate a good amount of interest. 

In turn, this usually means you can eventually command a desirable asking price.

However, this isn’t the case for every property. As has always been the case, some homes sell quicker than others. 

What’s more, certain issues can bring down a property’s value – making it all but impossible to attract buyers.

Jump to see the most common reason a property fails to sell – but, in this short article, we explore some of the prominent factors that often play their part.

We’ll look at a few major turn-offs that could see your property sitting on the market indefinitely.

We’ll also provide tips on how to sell an “unsellable” house, helping you get the offer you need, no matter what is standing in your way.

Major Structural or Other Physical Issues

Even if your home is beautiful and located in aspirational surroundings, you’ll find that significant structural problems will put viewers off right away.  These issues can include subsidence, widespread damp and roof bowing 

This is because issues of this kind are usually very expensive to fix.  A structural engineer may need to be hired to resolve them correctly. 

In some cases, the amount of money it would take to rectify major structural problems can be expensive.  If this is more than one could hope to recoup upon resale, it could make the property a very poor investment.

Problematic Surroundings

If a property is located in an unsavoury area, it is likely to be harder to sell.  just downwind of an unpleasant smelling sewage plant, behind a noisy nightclub or in a neighbourhood where the crime rate is skyrocketing.

The answer is usually to list the house with a very modest asking price, but cheapness can’t make up for everything. 

In some cases, investing in triple-glazing and high-quality sound insulation can resolve issues with noisy neighbours. Other neighbourhood problems can be much harder to rectify and may prevent a property from selling at all.

Awkward Tenants

Selling a rental property is often quite a straightforward process.  However, this often depends on the tenants that currently reside there. 

If they are messy, destructive, anti-social with neighbours, non-communicative or refuse to pay rent, they’re likely to put off potential buyers.  The issue is that no would-be landlord is likely to want to deal with them.

For this reason, it’s important to implement a proper vetting process before you rent out a property – and you should take the time to read up on tenant and landlord rights when it comes to eviction. 

You may be within your rights to give your problem tenants notice to vacate before you sell, though there is always the chance that they will refuse to leave.

What Makes a House Unsellable? What Makes a House Unsellable?

Issues with Nearby Plantlife

The vegetation that surrounds your property may look beautiful, but some types may cause destruction. Japanese knotweed, for example, is a highly invasive species that has the potential to cause major damage to a property or building. It grows extremely fast and is very costly to remove.

There are other invasive species that may damage buildings too –  some of which, like buddleia or ivy, may have been originally introduced for decorative purposes. However, with time, they can take over, working their way into the mortar and causing or exacerbating cracks.

Overgrown trees can also be a problem. If they are positioned close to your home, their root networks may cause subsidence or other types of damage to walls and footings. 

There is also the risk of a tree being uprooted in a storm and causing damage to the house or surrounding property.

Land Registry Complications

Complications regarding property ownership titles and rights can cause potential buyers to be very cautious. 

For example, absolute title is usually preferred over possessory title or qualified title.  It means that the buyer will own the property outright.  Plus, the potential for legal contestation or questions regarding access rights is eliminated.

If you’re in the middle of a legal disagreement with a neighbour regarding boundaries or similar matters and you’re wondering how to sell your house, the best approach is to resolve the matter soon, as ongoing disputes over a property can make it a very unattractive investment.

A ‘Toppy’ Asking Price

It can be easy to go a little too far with your asking price, especially when you work with the wrong professional.

In our experience, this is the most common reason.

Try to be objective when determining the value of your home.  Furthermore, be sure to take the advice of estate agents and valuation professionals before settling on a price. 

By asking too much for your house, you’re likely to severely narrow down its potential “audience”, which will mean you’re far less likely to receive the offers you want.

Remember: if potential buyers like your property enough, it may end up at the centre of a bidding war – and you might come away with an excellent profit anyway! 

My House Won’t Sell: What Are My Options?

It can be extremely frustrating when your house is languishing in the estate agent’s window as others are snatched up.

In order to improve your chances of a sale, you might consider:

  • Making structural improvements;
  • Coming to an agreement with problem tenants;
  • Paying to clear your land of invasive plant species; or
  • Resolving any ongoing legal disputes before putting your house on the market.

Of course, whether due to budgetary restraints or other impracticalities, this may not always be possible. If you’re one of the many UK residents with the all-too-common complaint “my house won’t sell and I need to move”! You might decide to take an alternative route.

Property Solvers is a quick home buying service that offers cash upfront for your property. In many cases, sellers can make 75% of their home’s market value this way.  We can also complete the sale in as little as 7 days

If you need to sell your house fast, this may be the most sensible and practical approach. What’s more, there are no legal or estate agency fees to pay.