If your house has been sitting on the market longer than you’d like, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not out of luck. It’s frustrating, sure. Watching your neighbours’ houses sell while yours gathers dust can make you question everything from your price to your paint colour. But the good news is, there’s always something you can do to shake things up and get buyers back through the door.
Whether you’re in Ontario’s hot spots like St. Catharines, Hamilton, or even the GTA, selling a house that’s been on the market too long takes strategy, not guesswork. Let’s get into how you can turn things around and finally get that house sold.
Why Isn’t Your House Selling?
Before anything else, it’s worth asking the obvious: what’s holding back the sale?
Here are a few common reasons houses linger on the market:
- Overpricing – Even a little bit too high can scare off serious buyers.
- Poor listing photos – If your pictures don’t pop, buyers might scroll right past.
- Lack of curb appeal – The outside makes the first impression, and if it doesn’t shine, buyers may not bother coming inside.
- Too many repairs needed – A long to-do list can overwhelm buyers.
- Limited availability for showings – If buyers can’t see it, they won’t buy it.
- Market timing – Sometimes the issue is simply listing during a slow season.
If one or more of these sounds familiar, don’t worry. There’s a fix for each one—and you’re in the right place to find it.
First Step: Re-Evaluate Your Price
Let’s be honest, pricing is often the biggest roadblock. Buyers are comparing your home to others in the same area and price range. If yours is priced higher without offering more value, it’s going to sit.
Ask yourself:
- Have similar homes in my neighbourhood sold for less?
- Have I dropped the price since listing?
- Am I emotionally attached to the number I picked?
You may want to bring in a professional to do a new market analysis. At Bloom Homes, we help Ontario homeowners figure out realistic pricing strategies based on the current market—not just wishful thinking.
Refresh the Photos (And Maybe the Staging)
If your listing hasn’t been updated since it went live, buyers might assume it’s stale. A fresh set of high-quality photos can give your home a brand-new feel.
Here’s what to consider:
- Hire a pro – Professional real estate photographers know how to make rooms look bigger, brighter, and more welcoming.
- Stage key spaces – You don’t need to rent furniture for the whole house. Focus on the living room, kitchen, and primary bedroom.
- Declutter and depersonalize – Buyers should be able to picture themselves living there—not feel like they’re touring someone else’s memories.
Sometimes just rearranging furniture or swapping out heavy drapes can make a world of difference.
Boost Your Curb Appeal
We’re not talking about a full landscape makeover here, but the little things really do add up. When a buyer pulls up for a showing, the outside of your house sets the tone.
Try this:
- Mow the lawn and trim the bushes
- Add potted plants or fresh mulch
- Repaint or clean the front door
- Replace an old doormat or porch light
You want potential buyers to feel like the home is move-in ready before they even step inside.
Open the Doors—Literally
If your showing availability is too narrow, you could be missing out on buyers who are ready to act. Try to be flexible with times and allow for short notice when possible. If your house is vacant, consider setting up a lockbox so agents can show it easily.
Here’s a quick tip: weekends and evenings are gold. That’s when most working buyers are house hunting.
Sweeten the Deal
Still no bites? It might be time to offer some incentives to make your home stand out.
Some options include:
- Covering closing costs
- Including appliances or furniture
- Offering a flexible closing date
- Providing a one-year home warranty
Buyers love feeling like they’re getting a little extra. And in a crowded market, that can tip the scales.
Consider Selling As-Is
If the house needs work and you’re not up for fixing it, don’t worry—there’s still a way to sell fast without sinking money into updates.
Selling as-is can be especially useful for:
- Properties with outdated kitchens or bathrooms
- Homes with structural or cosmetic damage
- Rentals you’re tired of managing
- Inherited homes with maintenance issues
And if you’re thinking, “But won’t that scare off buyers?”—not necessarily. There are plenty of buyers, especially cash buyers and investors, who actually prefer homes that haven’t been updated because it gives them more freedom to make improvements their way.
If you’re ready to skip the repairs and hassle, selling your house for cash could be the easiest path forward.
Change How You’re Selling It
Sticking to one way of selling your home might be what’s holding you back. If the traditional listing route isn’t working, it may be time to try something different.
Three Alternatives Worth Considering:
- Sell for Cash – No open houses, no repairs, and no waiting around. Just a fair cash offer and a quick closing.
- Seller Financing – Offer to finance the buyer’s mortgage and get monthly payments instead of one lump sum.
- Lease-to-Purchase – Rent the home to a potential buyer with the option to purchase later. It helps attract renters who are working toward homeownership.
At Bloom Homes, we help sellers across Ontario explore all these options so they can choose what fits best.
Rethink Your Marketing Strategy
If your house isn’t selling, maybe it’s not getting seen by the right people. Even a well-priced, move-in ready home can sit if no one knows about it.
Some tips:
- Ask your agent what kind of online reach your listing has.
- Make sure it’s posted on multiple platforms, not just the MLS.
- Share it in local Facebook groups, community pages, or online marketplaces.
- Consider targeted digital ads that reach buyers actively searching for homes in your area.
Marketing isn’t just about volume—it’s about targeting the right audience.
Ask for Honest Feedback
Sometimes the best way to fix the problem is to hear it straight. If you’ve had showings but no offers, reach out to the agents who toured the home and ask why their buyers passed.
You might hear things like:
- “The backyard felt too small.”
- “The kitchen needed too many updates.”
- “They didn’t like the layout.”
You can’t fix everything, but knowing what’s turning people off can help you address the issues that matter most.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Selling a house that’s been sitting on the market doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it just means something’s off, and it can be fixed. Whether it’s price, presentation, or the method you’re using to sell, small changes can lead to big results.
If you’re tired of waiting, wondering, and hoping the right buyer walks in, Bloom Homes is here to help. We offer flexible selling solutions across Ontario, including cash offers, seller financing, lease-to-purchase options, and traditional listings—whichever one helps you move forward faster.