Selling your home during the holiday's

There’s a housing shortage.

Hopefully some of this information will help you make an informed decision if you are waiting until spring to list/purchase.  Bottom line, real estate is not as seasonal as it used to be.

Here are some reasons why:

•  What does it mean to you if your property is for sale and there is less competition during the winter months (because others wait until Spring)?

•  Less competition + buyers = potential to make more money.

•  The buyers looking right now are serious buyers. There may even be transfers out there looking to move prior to the start of the next school semester. If they are more serious buyers, they are more apt to respect your time over the holidays.

•  We have received feedback from buyers that they prefer to make a change prior to school starting in January so their children have an opportunity to make friends prior to summer. Who doesn’t like to play in the summer?

•    The best agents are still working. A real estate professional does not take off months at a time. They know their business is reliant on hard work, year round. Align yourself with these professionals.

•  Your property will look terrific with all your holiday decorations…just don’t go overboard!  Use the holiday season a way to make your property warm and inviting.

•  The internet. According to a NAR survey in 2015, 42 percent of recent buyers started their home search process online. What does this mean? Buyers can perform a virtual Open House of your property, year round, 24/7.

•  Why do you want/need to sell your property in the first place? How much will another winter cost you in warehousing, mortgage, and utility costs? Why not try to make a little more money with less competition?

              

These are just a few reasons why selling property is now a year round affair.

If you are going to sell sooner than later this fall/winter and second here are a few tips:

Stage it: Stagers (or experienced agents) can arrange furniture so that selling-points in a property don’t get overlooked, paint rooms inviting colors, and have the know-how to give a property a cozy winter feel.

Display photos of the property that also show it in warmer summer months. As always, keep your personal, religious, political photos to a minimum.

Turn up the thermostat in the property so buyers are comfortable from the moment they step through the door.

Price it right:  Drew Carey knows: if  The Price is Right it will sell.

Show the way: Keep sidewalks and driveways clear of snow, ice, and leaves–giving potential buyers a clear path to your property’s front door.

Light it up: with shorter daylight hours in the winter months, it’s even more important to keep all the lights on, as well as open blinds and drapes for natural light.