Debunking the Myth of Selling in Winter Months

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Many sellers are unsure whether or not to wait until next spring before listing their home. The confusion comes with a combination of age-old schools of thought that predict the spring season as being almost the only season for homes to sell successfully. Not true.

A lot of homeowners are under the impression that homes are not selling at all, whereas in our own experience, time and again we continue to see complete opposite results. So much so, that we are defying the myths of never ending days on market statistics with many properties going under contract in approximately two weeks. Here’s why.

There are so many buyers in the marketplace right now that are eager to lock in the phenomenal interest rates and market conditions that continue to allow a very significant amount of buying power. The interesting thing is that while it is a strong buyers’ market in that sense, sellers are still enjoying an edge with the lower inventory that comes with it being this time of year.

Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, either way you look at it the market is strong. People are out there buying. If there are fewer homes available on the market, then that only means that there is less selling competition. This of course translates to top dollar and incredibly quick, hassle-free transactions in which everyone comes out a smiling winner.

So to answer one of the most frequently asked questions I am getting these days, it IS a great time to sell your home. Sure, you could wait till spring. But keep in mind that so will countless other sellers and by the time springtime blooms are back out, so will equally as many more “for sale” signs, competing with you.

By listing your home now, you can harness the power of the buyers that are striving to find that perfect property before the holidays kick in.

Contact us today if you’d like a custom, home valuation report detailing exactly what we expect your home will sell for in today’s marketplace. Our team looks forward to hearing from you and helping your real estate goals come to fruition.

Is the First Offer the Best Offer?

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We’ve seen it time and again. A seller eagerly lists their home, finds a buyer with a serious offer but chooses to wait things out and see if other (better) offers come along. While it can happen and it does sometimes, the problem is that there is a process usually followed by buyers and along with it a pipeline. Here is a look at how they lead up to making an offer and how by the time the first buyer seriously considers your home they are likely the most viable one.

Buyers Are More Educated

With the advent of technology, the entire real estate industry has changed. Gone are the days when buyers would rely solely on their agent to find a home to suit their needs. Today, the Internet has taken over. In fact, studies show that over 90% of buyers spend weeks online searching for their perfect home before even talking to an agent.

So by the time a buyer is at your doorstep with an offer, there is a good chance they have thoroughly researched every aspect of the local market. They are fully aware of your competition, have weighed all pros and cons of your home and are seriously interested in your property. After countless open houses and obtaining plenty of education about the real estate market in their area, they know when they see a property that suits their needs. In many cases they are waiting for the perfect one to become available so the minute it does, they make an offer.

By the Time They Make an Offer, They Are Well Into the Process

Where sellers go wrong is to want to wait for more offers. In the process, those very serious buyers that have already made their interest in your home known will likely find another home to suit their needs. Buyers today are savvier than ever before – and with that education that they so readily find and absorb from various sources (the Internet, other publications, their peers, professionals) they have an acute knowledge of the market.

In the process of selling your home, it is critical to keep all factors in mind. Factors such as the condition of the market, your agent’s recommendations, current inventory levels, the number of days most properties remain on the market before being sold and of course prices. Putting all of that into play will change how you handle that first buyer but remember – the first buyer will almost always be your best buyer.
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For a consultation that is customized to your needs, contact us today. We look forward to serving you!

3 Tips to Get More Money for Your Home

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How many times do you hear about a negative experience in the real estate world after the fact, when it’s too late? Unfortunately, like many service-based professions it is often difficult to tell whether someone will be able to provide good service until it is too late.

But I can tell you that it does not have to be that way. Let’s talk about selling your home, for instance. The main goal at hand is usually to make the most money, right? So you would hope that the agent managing your home’s sale would do everything possible to make sure that happens.

But to make sure that you have the right person by your side, representing your best interests – here are some things to look for – that will ultimately yield you the most money for your home in the process.

Understanding the Comparative Market Analysis

You see things like “get your free home value report” all the time – but just what are those and how effective are they? Well one way you can up the ante on your net proceeds from the sale of your home is to carefully study the CMA given to you by your agent. If you don’t know what something means, ask your agent. And ask them to corroborate their findings with demonstrated data.

Utilize Strong Negotiation Methods to Get the Most of Your Sale

Having a weak negotiator could quite possibly be all it takes to make your transaction fall through. Here is another area where having the right agent will be pivotal to the success of selling your home for a good price. To confirm, while you are interviewing them – ask them you share their average list-to-sale ratio with you for the last twelve months.

Employ the Services of a Professional Appraiser

A tool that many home sellers neglect to realize they can use to pinpoint a more exact number is an appraisal. Though the commonly applied use of an appraisal is when a buyer has one done as a requirement for financing – you can also pay for one as the seller. This is particularly useful when you are seeing that your home has had no interest for a significant amount of time and it seems that price might be the issue. At a cost of about $350 to $400, it is a reasonable expense to be able to competitively price your home and get it sold!

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If you would like to sit down and discuss these or any other real estate related concerns you may have – let me know and I’d be happy to show you how I can help!