Three Reasons Why Your House Isn’t Selling in Brisbane Inner-West
Selling a home can feel frustrating when interest seems low. But even in a solid market, a few key factors can stall a sale or impact the final price. Here’s what’s often going wrong, and how to fix it.
1. It Looks Too Much Like the Owner
If a property feels overly personalised, warm buyers may struggle to see themselves in it. From bold décor to overcrowded living spaces, a home can seem charming to the current owner, but limiting to potential buyers.
What to do:
- Declutter and depersonalise your property.
- Use neutral tones and simple styling to give buyers a clean, open palette to imagine occupying.
- Keep furniture proportional to the space so rooms feel spacious and fresh.
2. It Needs Some Love
A home that looks tired or dated can instantly trigger hesitation, especially when buyers are comparing it to nearby, more polished inventory. In Brisbane, minor TLC can make a big difference.
Meanwhile, renovation costs in Brisbane have surged: kitchen upgrades now average $15,000–$50,000, bathroom renovations $10,000–$40,000, with larger-scale projects reaching $50,000–$300,000. These rising costs mean buyers are increasingly drawn to homes that are already cared for and visually appealing.
What to do:
- Address small fixes: fresh paint, modern fixtures, clean landscaping.
- Consider low-cost updates with big impact: new tapware, cabinetry handles, a fresh splashback.
- Work with your agent to identify cost-effective upgrades aligned with buyer expectations in your suburb.
3. It’s Overpriced
In a competitive market, homes priced above recent comparable sales often receive little interest, sometimes zero, because they don’t even appear in buyers’ searches. According to Property Sphere, even a small pricing error can lead to prolonged listing periods and fewer offers, which usually results in a lower final sale price than a correctly priced property would have achieved.
What to do:
- Use recent local sales data to set a realistic price range.
- Review price engagement in the first 30 days - if interest is low, consider a meaningful adjustment rather than repeated small discounts.
- Trust your agent’s data-driven advice - and avoid emotional pricing based on what you feel the home is worth.
Why These Issues Matter in Brisbane
In suburbs like Paddington, Red Hill, Bardon, and Auchenflower, where buyer expectations are high and stock is carefully chosen, presentation and pricing matter even more. When a home looks lived-in, needs work, or is priced out of range, buyers simply move on.
Plus, with renovation costs continuing to climb (building cost indices showing up to 30% increases since COVID) and extended timelines - delays of 25-40% longer are common - many buyers are unwilling to take on the task of renovating themselves.
The Smart Way Forward
- Present neutrally: give buyers room to visualise.
- Invest strategically: small updates can yield big appeal.
- Price with precision: rely on data and market insight, not emotion.
At Glynis Austin Properties, we help sellers avoid these pitfalls and prepare homes that sell strongly. From practical styling to accurate pricing strategies, we guide every step of the way—so your property competes where it counts.
Thinking of selling? Get in touch for expert advice on styling, pricing, and positioning your home for a faster sale and maximum return.