Your House Didn’t Sell. Here’s What To Do Now.

by Sarah & Brandon Arlington



When your house doesn’t sell, it doesn’t just feel frustrating – it feels personal. You put time, money, and emotional energy into this move. You told your friends and family it was happening. And now that your listing has expired without a buyer? You’re left feeling stuck, and maybe even a little embarrassed.

And here's what most agents won’t tell you. Over 70% of homeowners who re-list with a different agent sell their house.

Re-list with the same agent? That stat drops to only 50%, according to the latest data from REDX. That’s like leaving the fate of your sale to a coin toss. And that’s not good enough.

REDX data also shows that only 1 in 3 homeowners with expired listings actually make that change. That means most sellers either give up or repeat the same mistakes, so they get the same disappointing outcome. You deserve better.

Same house. Different strategy. Completely different results. 

Let's break down what might’ve gone wrong – and how a fresh perspective can help you have a winning strategy this time.

1. It Was Priced Too High

Today, homebuyers are feeling the squeeze of higher mortgage rates, so even a slightly overpriced home will get overlooked. And once your listing starts to go stale, it’s hard to regain momentum.

Missing the mark on pricing is a costly mistake – and too many homeowners are doing that very thing right now.

What we need to do now: We need to analyze the latest sales in your area to make sure you’re hitting the right number. This includes taking a hard look at real-time buyer behavior, and any feedback you got from open houses or showings your first time around. Pricing at, or even just below, current market value is a winning play because it drives more buyers to your listing – and that amps up the competition for your home.

2. It Didn’t Show Well

You only get one shot at a first impression. If the listing photos didn’t pop, the house wasn’t staged well, or it wasn't updated, most buyers will skip over it without ever scheduling a showing. And even if buyers did show up, small things like scuffed walls, outdated light fixtures, or a wobbly doorknob can turn them away.

What we need to do now: Let’s walk through your house with fresh eyes to see if there are any areas that may have been sticking points inside and out. Sometimes, taking down old drapery, some light staging, or even a fresh coat of paint can completely change how a buyer feels about the home.

3. It Didn’t Get the Right Exposure

If your home didn’t sell, chances are it wasn’t getting the visibility it deserved. Generic flyers and a few online photos aren’t enough anymore. Today’s top agents are using highly targeted digital marketing, social media strategies, custom video content, and more to get your listing in front of the right buyers at the right time.

What we need to do now: We have to do more than just put your house online and hope it sells. Together, we can come up with a real plan to maximize its exposure. With the right pricing, staging, and marketing, your house will sell quickly. Here’s a real-world example (see graph below):

4. You Weren’t Willing To Negotiate

In this market, sellers who aren’t open to negotiating on things like closing costs, inspection repairs, or other concessions are often left behind. And if your last agent didn’t set that expectation with you, that's a real shame.

What we need to do now: Be willing to meet buyers where they are. The goal is to get the deal done – and sometimes that means getting creative to help buyers cross the finish line. Home values have increased by over 55% over the last five years, so you likely have enough wiggle room to offer some perks without sacrificing your bottom line.

Bottom Line

If your house didn’t sell and your listing has expired, you don’t need to give up. You just need a better plan. And a better partner.

 Over 70% of homeowners who switch agents sell their house after re-listing it. That’s not a coincidence. That’s strategy.

 If you're ready for a proven approach, let’s talk so you know what to do differently – and why doing different things actually works. It’s time to get your move back on track.

We are Sarah & Brandon Arlington With Rooster Homes

When We Serve, You Succeed!

LOS FELIZ LISTINGS

REVIEWS

Claudia Chan

Helped me rent a Condo home in Playa del rey, Playa del rey, CA.

My best friend referred me to Sarah when my boyfriend and I were looking to relocate to California from New York City. Sarah is very friendly, responsive, and thoughtful. When we had our initial conversation about looking to rent, she was very transparent about taking the time to research which areas/neighborhoods that we would be interested in before seeing any of the listings. During our visit, she was available to show us some listings and I thought she really asked the right questions. She was also very on top of our requests like reaching out about pet deposit/fees and scheduling showings. She made us feel very taken care of too because we were new to renting and working with an agent. We did eventually find our home to rent with her help and she made sure to read through the rental agreement for any errors or mistakes. It was a smooth process and overall, we were very happy with our experience and highly recommend her!

Kylie Lam

Helped me rent a Apartment home in Alhambra, CA.

Sarah made apartment hunting so much fun and hassle-free! She was very responsive and supportive throughout the whole process. Sarah provides a wealth of knowledge in terms of comparative leasing comps, negotiating, and overall application progress. Lastly, I never met any other agent that emits as much genuineness and compassion as she. I highly recommend her as an agent for leasing or buying!

Janet Sau Sum Cho

Bought a Single Family home in 2022 in East central, Pasadena, CA.

Brandon is so positive, supportive, and responsive to any and all my needs in the entire process of looking and buying a new home. He is extremely patient, knowledgeable about the market and procedures, thoughtful, and made excellent recommendations every step of the way. Honestly, he went above and beyond my expectation! I feel very confident with Brandon. I appreciate that he helped me to analyze what I need together, and find the perfect place for my partner and I.