How Long Will My House Take to Sell? Can You Afford a Stagnant Listing?
When trying to sell your home, you may be asking: How to sell a house fast in Texas? Usually a property that stays too manyu days on the market will bring you lower offers at the end. In our latest blog, we try to help you learn how to sell faster, avoiding a dreaded stagnant listing.
Days on Market
When a house sits on the MLS for weeks or months at a time, the odds of it selling at a good price decreases significantly. In McAllen in 2025 it takes typically 66 days for the house to get an offer and then between 30-45 days to close. This numbers change all the time, so it is important to check the latest stats. The longer time period a house stays in the RGV market is due to high interest rates, uncertainty about economy, and the fact that many Mexican nationals are postponing real estate purchases at the present time. As new properties come on the market, the property will drop down the list of available houses, and will end up getting less views. When it sits stagnantly for a period of time, people will begin to assume there is something wrong with it. Even if it is in great shape, houses that stay on the MLS for a long time often become overlooked. On the MLS and listing sites such as Zillow, prospective buyers can easily see price changes and how long it has been on the market. Repeatedly dropping your price can make you appear desperate, making people feel as if they can make a low ball offer and you will accept right away. Below, we offer some insight as to why your house isn’t selling and what you can do about it.
Why My House is Not Selling
Priced Too High
If a home is priced too high initially, people will pass on by. The listing will slowly make it’s way down the list so even if you drop the price to something more reasonable, you won’t have as many prospective buyers seeing a fresh listing.
Bad Photos or Wrong Description
Any aspect of a bad listing or advertisement will make people look the other way. Quite often, you will see a listing with bad or limited photos. In order to have a successful listing, you should take the time to clean the clutter out of the house. Make sure there is a lot of light in the photos and even opt to bring in a professional when needed. Paying a little upfront will make a big difference in how your listing is received. You should also make sure the ad copy is accurate and to the point. Describe the positive features and amenities of the house, being sure not to overlook a selling point.
Too Dark
When people come to view the house, they shouldn’t feel as if they are in a cave or in a dark restaurant. Open all the curtains and let in as much natural light as possible. Your prospective buyers will feel more comfortable in an open space as opposed to a confined and dark area.
Major Work Needed
Many lenders won’t lend money for people to buy properties in need of major repairs or updates. Deficient plumbing, old electrical installations, falling tiles, or leaky roof will raise red flags. If your property is run-down or needs a good amount of work, a direct sale to a cash buyer that won’t require inspections might be a more realistic way for you to go.
What A Stagnant Listing Is Costing You
Don’t let your property sit idle for too long – every day it remains unsold means more money out of your pocket. From ongoing costs like utility bills, homeowners insurance, yard maintenance, and property taxes to the time and money invested in preparing it for the market, the expenses can add up quickly. All these are called holding costs and the thing is you don’t know how long the “holding” period will last when you list with an agent. Act now to avoid unnecessary expenses and maximize your profits by contacting a direct local home buyer. Contact Dolfin RGV at (956) 904 5234 to learn how we can help you sell your property quickly in McAllen, TX [market_zip].
What You Can Do About It
Avoid The MLS Altogether
Many people in McAllen and across the country are opting to sell their homes to buyers directly. The process will free them from commissions, showings, repair costs, and not knowing when the house will sell. At Dolfin RGV, we are a local team of direct buyers who can make an offer on your house almost immediately. There is never any obligation. If you have tried to sell in the past without any luck, or if you simply want to sell without any cost or waiting, a direct sale is an option you should seriously consider. Contact us and we can talk to see if we are a good match. If your house meets our buying criteria we will tell you right away how much we can offer and we won’t be wasting your precious time.
Invest in Marketing
If you decide to relist the property, you may decide to do things differently the second (or third) time around. If you are going to do it, do it right. Make the investment in a professional photographer or videographer. Change realtors to get a fresh set of eyes on your property. Pay the costs for the featured and upgraded online listing options. Do whatever you can to quickly get your house in front of as many people as possible.
Set The Price Right From Day One
Nothing can destroy a great listing faster than an unrealistic price. People will immediately assume the house is out of their league or that you don’t know what you are doing. Either way, your listing won’t be taken seriously. By pricing it right from the start, you will have a better chance of attracting prospective buyers and selling the house in as little time as possible.
Do you have a house you want to sell in the McAllen area? Whether or not you have tried to list the home in the past, we can help you avoid the waiting, hassles, and costs of a traditional MLS listing. Find out what a direct sale can mean for you! We always make fair and honest offers for McAllen houses!