How showings work and why some homes do not sell in Coquitlam
Seller Education Page

How Showings Work and Why Some Homes Don’t Sell

Showings are not just appointments. They are one of the clearest signals of how the market is responding to your home.

If your home is getting lots of showings but no offers, that means something. If it is getting very few showings at all, that means something too.

1%
Ranked Top 1% Team
2%
Nationwide Top 2% Nationwide Team
44
Local Lived in the Tri-Cities 44+ years
Recognized Top Tier Agent
Also read Buyers resource hub First-time buyer guide Affordability calculator Book a Strategy Call with Craig

A showing is feedback from the market

Many sellers think of showings as a simple step in the sales process. In reality, showing activity is one of the most valuable forms of feedback you can get once your home hits the market.

High showing activity means buyers are at least interested enough to see the home in person. Low showing activity may suggest the listing is not compelling enough online, not priced correctly, or not connecting with the right audience.

Craig Johnston helps Coquitlam sellers read those signals properly so the strategy can be adjusted before the listing loses too much momentum.

Why this matters: the first wave of showing activity often tells you whether price, presentation, photography, buyer targeting, and launch timing are working together. Sellers who read that feedback early usually make better decisions than sellers who wait and hope.

Craig Johnston explaining why homes do not sell in Coquitlam

Quick answer: why do some homes not sell?

Homes usually do not sell because of a mismatch between price, presentation, marketing, buyer fit, or timing. If a home gets no showings, the issue is often price or online appeal. If it gets many showings but no offers, the issue is often perceived value, layout concerns, or a gap between buyer expectations and the in-person experience.

Few showings usually point to weak pull from the listing itself.
Many showings without offers often point to weak conversion once buyers visit.
Strong early traffic usually means the launch was positioned properly.
Delayed adjustments often cost momentum and negotiating power.

What different showing patterns usually mean

Very few showings

This often points to pricing, weak positioning, or a listing that is not compelling enough online to get buyers through the door.

Lots of showings, no offers

This often suggests the home is attracting attention but not delivering the value story buyers hoped for in person.

Strong early response

This usually means the launch price, marketing, and presentation are aligned well with buyer expectations.

Showings taper off fast

That can be a sign that the first impression was strong enough to generate curiosity, but not strong enough to hold momentum against competing homes.

Good feedback, no action

Buyers may like the home, but still see a better value option elsewhere. Positive comments do not always equal offer strength.

Repeat objections

When similar concerns come up again and again, they usually reveal the exact gap that needs to be addressed.

Craig Johnston explaining showings and buyer response

The biggest reasons homes struggle to sell

In most cases, the problem is not one huge mistake. It is a mismatch. The price may be just high enough to slow response. The photos may not show the home well enough. The home may show fine, but buyers do not feel the value compared to alternatives they have seen.

Some homes also miss because the target buyer is not clear. A listing should speak directly to the type of person most likely to love the property. Without that, even a nice home can feel forgettable.

That is why the best realtor in Coquitlam is not just posting listings. They are positioning the home so the right buyers understand why it deserves attention.

Price is close, but not close enough for the current competition.
Photography or copy does not create enough urgency to view.
The in-person experience feels weaker than the online promise.
The listing is speaking to everyone instead of the right buyer.

What sellers can do if the home is not getting the response it should

Revisit pricing

Even a small mismatch can change buyer behaviour.

Improve presentation

Buyers need the home to feel easy to say yes to.

Strengthen marketing

The online first impression matters before the showing even happens.

Read the feedback correctly

The right interpretation is what turns feedback into results.

What a stronger next step looks like

A smart response is rarely panic. It is usually one focused adjustment: sharpen the price, improve the story, elevate the visuals, reduce friction around showings, or reposition the home more clearly against active competition. The best outcomes usually come from acting while the listing still has a chance to regain momentum.

Best next pages if your home is not getting the right response

How I actually work with you

A five-step process built around clarity, strategy, and no-surprise execution — whether you're selling for the first time or a long-held property.

  1. 01

    Evaluate — where you actually stand

    We start with a real conversation about your goals, timeline, and numbers. I'll pull current comps, assess your buying power or home's true market value, and tell you exactly what the data says — not what you want to hear.

  2. 02

    Strategize — a plan built for your situation

    I build a written strategy around your priorities: target neighbourhoods, pricing strategy, timeline, financing structure, and the trade-offs at each decision point. Every recommendation comes with a reason.

  3. 03

    Prepare — listings, offers, and due diligence

    For sellers: pre-list prep, staging direction, pro photography, and a pricing framework that draws interest without leaving money on the table. For buyers: offer structure, subject clauses, and the due-diligence checklist for every property that matters.

  4. 04

    Negotiate — protecting your position

    This is where experience pays for itself. I negotiate price, terms, subjects, deposit, completion dates, and the small details that don't show up in listings but decide whether a deal closes well or falls apart.

  5. 05

    Close — and stay with you after

    From subject removal through completion and possession, I coordinate with lawyers, lenders, inspectors, and trades so nothing drops. After closing, I stay in your corner for everything from tax-assessment appeals to the next move.

Book a Strategy Call →

Frequently asked questions about showings and unsold homes

What does it mean if my home gets no showings?

Usually it suggests a problem with pricing, online appeal, positioning, or how the home compares to competing listings.

What if I get lots of showings but no offers?

That often means buyers are interested enough to visit but do not feel the value, fit, or confidence needed to write an offer.

Can strategy changes help after the home is already listed?

Yes. Pricing, presentation, photography, and positioning can all be adjusted, though it is usually best to make those decisions before the listing loses too much momentum.

Should I reduce the price right away if showings are slow?

Not always immediately, but you should read the full picture quickly. Sometimes the issue is price. Sometimes it is the photography, the messaging, the launch structure, or the way the home is being positioned against current alternatives.

Craig Johnston Coquitlam seller expert

Want help understanding what the market is really telling you?

Craig Johnston helps sellers in Coquitlam read showing activity, buyer response, pricing signals, and next steps so their listing strategy works harder.

The goal is not just activity. The goal is the right activity, from the right buyers, with the right level of urgency.

About Craig
Craig Johnston, Coquitlam REALTOR

Craig Johnston

Licensed REALTOR® · Coquitlam & the Tri-Cities · The Macnabs

I have spent the last 5+ years helping Coquitlam move-up buyers and sellers get from where they are to where they want to be — without the panic of owning two homes at once or selling under value. I work the Tri-Cities every day: Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau, Heritage Mountain, and the rest of Coquitlam’s move-up neighbourhoods.

If you want a straight read on your timing, pricing, or move-up strategy, the fastest next step is a short call.

SpecialtyMove-up sellers & upsizers
CoverageCoquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam
Experience5+ years serving Coquitlam families
Book a Strategy Call with Craig →
Get Your Home Value Book a Strategy Call
Frequently asked

Buying in the Tri-Cities — the questions people actually ask

The short, honest version. Every answer here is what I'd tell you on a call — no fluff, no generic listing-agent talk.

How do I start the home-buying process in the Tri-Cities?
Mortgage pre-approval first. Then a buyer strategy call to set criteria, catchments, and targets. Then 4-8 weeks of active searching — some buyers move in 2 weeks, others in 4 months. The right process compresses that range.
How much home can I actually afford in Coquitlam?
Depends on income, down payment, existing debt, and the rate environment. Ballpark: a household earning $180k gross with $200k down and no other debt typically qualifies in the $1.1-1.3M range at current rates. The Coquitlam affordability calculator is a starting point — the binding number is what the lender pre-approves.
Do I need a realtor to buy in Coquitlam?
Technically no. Practically yes. The seller pays the buyer's realtor commission in almost every BC transaction, so the cost to you is the realtor's time — not money. Going without a buyer's agent in a market this technical usually costs more than it saves.
What schools serve the home I'm looking at?
SD43 (Coquitlam School District) runs every public school in Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, and Belcarra. Catchment varies block by block — what looks like "close to the good school" on a listing often isn't actually in catchment. Always pull the catchment before writing the offer. SD43 catchment lookup.
How do I see current listings?
Ask me directly — I'll send filtered daily MLS alerts. Public search tools miss active listings by 24-72 hours and miss coming-soon entirely, which is where the best Tri-Cities inventory actually moves.
Have a different question? Book a Strategy Call →
Pick your lane

Buying or selling in Coquitlam? Start where it hurts least.

Most people lose money because they read generic advice and act on it. The pages below are the opposite — Coquitlam-specific, opinionated, and built from real transactions. Pick the lane that fits the move you're actually making.

If you're buying
If you're selling
Still deciding

No hedging. No "it depends." If a page above contradicts what another agent told you, ask them to cite their source — every number on this site is checkable.

Deeper reads

More in this series

The resources below go deeper on the same topic. If you’re piecing together a full picture, these are the next logical reads.

Authority Sources & Local Resources

Verify everything — the sources behind this page

Every cost, tax, and legal step in the Coquitlam buying process is spelled out by a government or regulatory authority below. Use these as the definitive source — your agent and lawyer should line up with them, not the other way around.

Municipal & Transit
Schools
Real Estate Authorities

External links open in a new tab. The Macnabs is not affiliated with these organizations — they are cited as independent authorities. Any time a number on this page differs from the authority, the authority wins.

Top 1% Team Medallion Team Member President’s Club Team Member 44+ Years in the Tri-Cities
Free 14-page guide

The Coquitlam Move-Up Tax Trap

The $40,000 most Tri-Cities move-up families leave on the table — capital gains, principal residence exemption, and PTT timing. No sales pitch. Just the math, the dates, and the traps I see Monday-to-Friday.

Get the PDF Free Equity Map

What Coquitlam clients actually say after working with Craig

Real reviews pulled from Google. No paid placements. No curated-only-positives. Every client below closed with Craig — most sold over asking, several within a week.

★★★★★

“Craig sold my property in just 6 days. After receiving one offer, he quickly reconnected with all the other realtors who had viewed the property, and before I knew it, we had multiple offers — all over asking price. Craig didn’t stop there; he negotiated even better terms for me.”

Heather Fox
Sold with Craig · Over asking, 6 days
★★★★★

“We worked with Craig on three real estate transactions. In all cases he was extremely professional and efficient. In the case of the two sales, both houses were sold for over asking and within the one week of going on market. Craig analyzed the market accurately and advised on a selling price that was fair and saleable.”

Ann English
3 transactions · 2 sold over asking in a week
★★★★★

“Craig recently sold my townhouse in West Vancouver in less than 6 days for over asking price. Craig is one of the most prolific and highly motivated realtors I have seen in the Realty business, and I have extensive experience buying and selling properties of all sorts.”

Riverplate Equities
West Vancouver townhouse · Over asking, 6 days
★★★★★

“We consider ourselves lucky to be able to work with Craig over the last 5 years, over multiple transactions. He is a professional who is guided by integrity, honesty, and punctuality. Craig is a seasoned and well-informed realtor who will be a great asset on any real estate journey.”

Jaeyoung Joo
Google Local Guide · 5 years, multiple transactions
★★★★★

“As first-time home buyers, we had a myriad of concerns. Craig immediately put us at ease by taking the time to address each of our questions thoroughly and patiently. At no point did I feel pressured or rushed into making a decision. Instead, Craig empowered us with all the facts and options.”

Jeff Kwok
First-time buyers
★★★★★

“One of the most dedicated and professional realtors I’ve encountered. No matter the value of the property, Craig puts great care into preparing high-quality marketing content. With his in-depth knowledge of the Coquitlam area, I highly recommend Craig to anyone looking to buy or sell.”

Allan Liang
Coquitlam specialist
★★★★★

“His creativity, top-notch communication skills, and a solid plan were instrumental in selling high and buying low. His foresight in negotiation skills, predicting outcomes before they happened, truly set him apart. A remarkable professional who exceeded expectations.”

Matdori
Google Local Guide · Sold high, bought low
★★★★★

“Craig absolutely delivered on his promise of selling my condo, exceeding my expectations. A++ communications and he kept me informed and educated every single step of the way. Rock solid performance and a very quick above asking sale, I am beyond grateful.”

Rich & Andrew
Condo sold over asking
★★★★★

“We were referred to Craig by a friend and knew from day one we were in great hands. The marketing was outstanding — we received seven offers, and Craig held firm on our priorities. When we re-listed in January, it sold in three days at the price we wanted, and he went on to find us an off-market buy in Vernon.”

Jim Turnbull
7 offers · Sold at target price · Off-market buy in Vernon
Read the Google reviews →
Talk to Craig directly
604-202-6092
Craig@theMACNABS.com · Coquitlam, BC
Start with a free Equity Map Book a Strategy Call

More on Selling in Coquitlam

Keep Digging

Craig writes the Tri-Cities coverage most realtors won't. Every page below is built on the same ground-truth data and the same negotiation playbook Craig uses for every client.

Craig Johnston, REALTOR® with The Macnabs — Top 2% Nationwide Team, 44+ years Tri-Cities experience
Craig Johnston · REALTOR® · The Macnabs
Top 2% Nationwide Team 44+ Years Tri-Cities Burke Mountain Resident Move-up Specialist
Who this is for

Three kinds of people get the most out of this page.

Serious Tri-Cities buyers and sellers

You want an operator, not a broker. Craig runs every file through the same five-step protocol — Top 2% Nationwide Team results, zero improvisation at your expense.

Move-up buyers with real equity in play

You've earned the move. Craig protects the equity while you make it.

First-time buyers who want to get it right

Craig teaches the playbook while he runs it.

Craig Johnston, Coquitlam REALTOR®
Craig's take
"The Tri-Cities reward patience and punish improvisation. I don't guess — I run the protocol, every file, no exceptions. That's the promise."
— Craig Johnston, REALTOR®, The Macnabs
The five-step protocol

Every Craig file runs on the same five steps. No exceptions, no improvisation.

Whether you're a first-time buyer at $850K or a luxury seller at $4.2M, the sequence is identical. The scale changes. The discipline doesn't.

01
Frame the file

Your numbers, your timeline, your non-negotiables, your trade-offs — written down before we pick any houses or pick any comps.

02
Run the market

Current supply, current absorption, current days-on-market, current buyer pool — per neighbourhood, per property type, not 'Metro Vancouver' averages.

03
Lock the strategy

Target neighbourhoods, target price band, target timeline, target offer structure. Written. Agreed.

04
Execute on offer / list

Whether buying or selling, the offer / listing is engineered — structure, contingencies, comps, pricing logic — not improvised.

05
Close + follow-through

Conditions, completion, possession, and the six-month check-in. Most agents stop at keys. Craig doesn't.

Ready to talk?

Twenty minutes with Craig is worth a week of internet research.

No pitch, no pressure. Just your numbers, your options, and the next move that's actually right for you.

Book a Strategy Call → Get your home evaluation
Answers Craig gives

The three questions people ask Craig most on this topic.

Why is this page so detailed?

Because the generic version is what every other Coquitlam realtor publishes. Craig's clients do their homework — this page is the homework.

How do I work with Craig?

Book the 20-minute strategy call or start with a home evaluation. Craig reads every submission personally and responds within 24 hours.

What does the next step look like?

A short call (no pitch, no pressure), a written summary of options, and a clear next move that's right for you — even if it's not hiring Craig.

What to read next

Pick the next step in Craig's Coquitlam playbook.

Read next · 7-min read
The full Craig Johnston case →
Read next · 9-min read
The Coquitlam operator's guide →
Read next · 2-min form
Home evaluation — start here →
Read next · 1-min form
Book the strategy call →
Craig Johnston, licensed REALTOR® with The Macnabs — Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam specialist
Work with Craig

Every Coquitlam move runs on the same five-step protocol.

Born in the Tri-Cities. Lived on Burke Mountain for 9+ years. Top 2% Nationwide Team. Craig runs every file — move-up, first-time, seller, investor — through the same repeatable playbook so nothing gets improvised at your expense. Start with the 20-minute fit call or the equity map. No pitch, no pressure, just your numbers and your options.

Book a Strategy Call Home Eval
More Tri-Cities guides

Explore the neighbourhoods connected to this page