Why isn't my house getting showings?

If your house isn’t getting the showings you expected, you’re not imagining it, and it’s usually not your house.

Right now, your home is competing with more listings than at any time since April 2020. That’s the part nobody tells you when the showings slow down.

What changed this fall

Here are September’s numbers from REIN, our local MLS:

  • 6,357 homes for sale across Hampton Roads, up about 16% from a year ago
  • Median 30 days on market, up from 27
  • Pending sales down about 7%

Nationally, mortgage applications to buy a home are down 18% from last year (MBA).

Put simply: buyers have more choices and less pressure to decide fast.

What hasn’t changed

Here’s the good news. Hampton Roads still has only about three months of supply. That’s tighter than most of the country. And homes that are priced right are still going under contract in about a month, at close to asking price.

The homes sitting are usually the ones priced for last spring’s market.

How buyers are shopping right now

  • They tour five houses in a weekend.
  • They compare yours to the newest, sharpest-priced one on the list.
  • If nothing feels right, they wait for the next one.

So if your listing is quiet, the question isn’t “What’s wrong with my house?” It’s “How does my house compare to the other five that buyer saw this weekend?”

Why price cuts are more common in some cities

Price reductions are showing up more in Chesapeake (27.5% of listings) and Norfolk (28.8%) than in Virginia Beach (18.8%), according to Redfin. Even so, homes in all three cities are still selling for about 99% of list price. Priced right from the start, most sellers never need a cut.

What works now

  1. Price it for this month, not last spring. Look at what’s under contract near you, not just what’s listed.
  2. Fix the small stuff before photos. Buyers comparing five homes notice the dripping faucet and the scuffed trim. Small repairs cost far less than a price reduction.
  3. Be ready to talk concessions. With rates above 7%, a seller-paid rate buydown can matter more to a buyer’s monthly payment than a price cut. It can also protect your sale price.
  4. Look at it with fresh eyes. If you’ve had showings but no offers, the feedback is telling you something about price, condition or presentation. If you’ve had no showings at all, it’s almost always price or photos.

Want to know what’s actually selling near you?

I’ll pull what’s gone under contract on your street and in your neighborhood, and show you how your home stacks up. See your home’s estimated value or book a 30-minute call. You can also call or text me at 757.288.0983.

— Christine “Chris” Faircloth, The Agent Faircloth Team, Swell Realty Co.

Market figures are regional and city-wide averages; your neighborhood may differ. Seller concession and buydown limits depend on the buyer’s loan program.

Sources: REIN September 2026 market report (released Oct. 9) · Virginia Business, “most since April 2020” (Oct. 19, 2026) · MBA weekly applications survey (released Oct. 21, 2026) · Redfin city housing market pages for Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk (Sept. 2026).