Selling Your Home In Winter

 Selling Your Home In Winter

Come spring, it’s an accepted fact that your home will be just another small fish in a big fish pond. There are fewer homes listed for winter which means that you’ve got the market to yourself. Other sellers may not be aware that winter is a superb time to sell their homes. With less inventory in the wintertime, you have more control which means selling faster.


2. Price is right!


If you’re considering selling your home this season, you may be surprised by the special pricing considerations the season brings. Unlike during spring where shoppers are more (hence you try to price low to generate more bidding), winter, on the other hand, does not involve multiple offers.


That does not mean that it’s a good time to test the market and be tempted to list high. If the house doesn’t get offers from buyers, you may need to drop the price below the market value to appeal to potential buyers. Otherwise, when spring kicks in, your house may look stale by comparison.


You should price the house at market value. Consider the closing prices of similar properties over the past month then look at the current prices to ensure that your pricing doesn’t sound too high. A buyer may be willing to pay a higher price upfront considering that there may be rising mortgage rates.


3. Motivated buyers


One thing that people often miss is obvious. Most people like being at home during the holidays. That means that the buyers looking for a home are much more motivated. People who are willing to brave the fall and snow are serious about getting a home. They have to get a home. Most home buyers in wintertime are working against a deadline whether a relocation, an expiring lease or a contract on their current home. You’ll probably have fewer showings, but the buyers who'll come through are more qualified. Isn't this the ideal situation?


4. A locked in real estate agent


There’s a higher chance that your real estate agent will be relatively idle during winter months which can work to your advantage. Fewer clients imply that the agent will be more motivated to move to the properties they represent. With more time, they will be willing to concentrate on your cause and can even take you off the ledge in case the selling process becomes stressful.


Conclusion


There are obviously numerous factors that lead to the decision of when to list your home for sale, but if you are considering selling in the winter, there are the benefits. You may also need to consider the benefits of selling your home in other seasons and make a decision.


It’s a happy discovery for many people who list their homes when the weather outside is frightful!

Free Property Value Here

 

Getting Your Home Sold

1. The First Offer is Always the Best Offer; “If you get an offer in today’s market, attempt to make the best of it and live with it if you can, because there usually isn’t another one waiting. In today's market multiple offers are few and far apart.

2. Be Realistic About Price; Most homes go onto the market over priced. Buyers are not going to pay for an overpriced house. Overpricing a home reduces your showings and with fewer showings you get fewer offers. Your going to end up reducing the price eventually, reduce it before listing to insure lots of attention from the get go.

3. Listen to the Experts; You're paying a Real Estate agent for their advice, don't disregard it. They know and understand the market of today.

4. Beware of Getting Stale; The longer a house is on the market, the less attractive it appears. By listing the home and then reducing the price isn't going to fool anyone. You have to price it right.

5. Go For the HGTV look; First time home buyers expect the moon and the stars. You have to make some updates and clean up and de-clutter. Remove excessive family pictures, remove overstuffed furniture, set the kitchen table, paint the walls with something with some color. Let the light in.

6. Understand Buyer's Fear; Sellers are under the impression that buyers are being greedy, But in reality buyers are afraid. Afraid they're going to buy a house with the possibility that the home will loose value and they won't be able to sell it. By properly pricing the property better than the neighboring competition it becomes very attractive to them.

7.Buyers are not going to Renovate; Of course there are plenty of do it yourselvers who enjoy painting, laying tile, building a deck, installing some new fixtures. But most just want to move in, unpack and relax.Fixer-uppers attract limited offers because people just don’t have the time and those that do expect a reasonably priced fixer upper.

8. Play on Your Home’s Pluses; Private Yard, Large Deck, Side Entry Garage, Finished Lower Level, Main Level Master. Highlighting those pluses will make the home much more attractive to a buyer.

Frank J. Helderle