But for many sellers, this appealing scenario isn't happening.
Some houses still sit on the market for months without much interest from potential buyers.
Sometimes it's because the house is overpriced or in bad shape or too expensive for the neighborhood. Or it may be simply that there is little demand for housing in a particular neighborhood or city. If you live in an area where housing is in demand, you have a good chance of selling at a desirable price in a short time. But before putting the house on the market, talk with a real estate agent about what you can do to make the house look better. It's an unfortunate truth that few buyers are interested in fixing up a house that needs work.