When a property sits on the market for over five months without selling, owners understandably become discouraged. That's exactly what happened to a Canadian homeowner whose fourth-floor condo at 7461 W Country Club Dr N #408 in Sarasota had been listed with another brokerage for 161 days with no success.

After the listing expired, the owner reached out to The Pope Team. Within 48 days of relisting the property, we had it under contract with a cash offer. Here's how we turned a stale listing into a successful sale—and what it means for sellers who've watched their homes sit without attracting serious buyers.

Understanding Why Properties Don't Sell

When a home doesn't sell, there's always a reason. In this case, we identified the challenge right away: the condo needed a complete renovation. While the property offered attractive features—a fourth-floor view overlooking a golf course, access to community pools and fitness areas—it required significant work before it would appeal to traditional buyers.

The previous listing price didn't account for the renovation costs a buyer would face. Meanwhile, the owner continued paying monthly in condo fees from Canada, watching their carrying costs mount.

Our Strategy: Price It Right, Market It Right

We took a different approach by positioning the condo as an investment opportunity rather than a move-in-ready home.

Aggressive Pricing Strategy

We listed the property roughly 12% below the previous asking price. We analyzed fully updated comparable units in the community and calculated what a buyer could reasonably pay, complete the necessary renovations, and still come out ahead. The strategy worked, and we ultimately closed with a cash buyer who understood the opportunity.

Targeted Marketing Campaign

Rather than competing with updated units, we positioned this property for value-add investors through:

• An open house targeting buyers who were eager to add value through renovations after the sale
• Social media campaigns reaching buyers with a buy-and-renovate mindset
• Marketing materials clearly outlining the renovation opportunity and potential return

We weren't trying to appeal to retail buyers. We were finding the right buyer who could see past the needed work to the value underneath.

Navigating the Complexities of Foreign Ownership

Selling property owned by a Canadian resident involves complications that many agents aren't equipped to handle.

Remote Transaction Coordination – We managed all signing procedures remotely, eliminating the need for the seller to travel to Florida.

Property Preparation – The owner had left furnishings and personal items in the unit. We arranged for removal and disposal.

FIRPTA Compliance – We connected the seller with tax professionals to handle FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) requirements. Foreign sellers face mandatory 15% withholding on the sale price unless specific exemptions apply. Many sellers don't realize these requirements exist until it's too late.

The Result: A Win for Everyone

After more than 200 days of carrying costs and frustration, the seller was excited to finally have a path forward. The buyer got exactly what they wanted—a property with solid bones, a great view, and the opportunity to add value through renovation. Both parties won because we correctly identified what the property actually was: an investment opportunity, not a retail condo sale.

What This Means for Other Sellers

If your property has been sitting on the market, the solution isn't to just wait longer. The market is telling you something.

According to the latest Sarasota County market data from November 2025, condos and townhouses show a median sale price of $329,500—down 11.8% from November 2024. Inventory levels for condos have increased 19.5% compared to last year, meaning there's more competition than ever.

In this environment, pricing strategy and targeted marketing matter more than ever. A property that needs work can't be priced like one that's move-in ready.

Is Your Property Not Selling?

If your home has been on the market without success, we'd welcome the opportunity to review your situation. Sometimes a small adjustment makes all the difference. Sometimes a complete strategy overhaul is needed.

At The Pope Team, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all real estate. Every property is unique. Our job is to understand what you have, who needs it, and how to connect those two things as efficiently as possible.

For the owner of 7461 W Country Club Dr N Unit 408, that meant recognizing their condo wasn't going to appeal to traditional buyers at traditional pricing. It meant understanding the investment opportunity it represented and marketing it accordingly. And it meant handling the complexities of foreign ownership so the seller could move forward.

That's the kind of strategic thinking that turns expired listings into closed sales.

Contact The Pope Team today to discuss the sale of your property. Whether your property had been on the market for weeks or months, we'll provide a fresh analysis and a clear path forward.

Market data referenced from Florida Realtors® December 2025 statistics for Sarasota County. This is not intended to solicit listings for properties that are currently on the market.