Want Holiday Sales? Only if you are listing.

When it comes to selling a home, many houses are sold in the warmer months of the year. Logically the warmer months usually mean a clear day to move and less risk of a snow storm on your potential moving day. However, don’t count out winter sales.

Top three reasons to keep your house listed throughout the holidays and winter months.

1)      The first reason to keep your house listed is simple. Potential buyers are still looking for homes. No matter the time of year, there are at least a few people still looking for a new home. Even if they aren’t necessarily looking to move in January, you can count on the buyer braving the cold and snow for that right house at that right price.

2)      Second reason - Less Competition.  Many people don’t want to have to “deal” with showing their house throughout the holiday season and may take their house off the market. Being one of the fewer homes kept on the market or listing it during this time will allow you to stand out among the crowd because there is less of a crowd.  

3)      The final reason to list your house through the holiday season and  throughout the end of the calendar year is because of transfers. Many businesses will transfer employees at the end of the calendar year and those buyers and families NEED to find a great house IMMEDIATELY. Take advantage of the lack of homes for sale and leverage that with the demand of the transfer market.

These are just three simple reasons to keep your house on the market during the holiday season. Can you think of any other reasons to put or keep your home on the market during this time?

Avoid These Top Home Selling Mistakes!

We continue our blog from last week about how you can avoid difficult and costly hurdles to selling your home in a tough economy. Remember, home sellers often set unrealistic expectations that can delay the process.   The following list contains the second part in the two-part series of common mistakes to avoid.

6. Thinking you need to be in the home to explain things to a prospective buyer

Being present during a showing may actually harm your chances of selling your home because the prospective buyers and their agent can often feel uncomfortable talking or exploring the house freely while you’re present. 

7. Not being objective about your home

You have to be open and honest with yourself if you want to sell your home.  This means listening to your REALTOR® when he or she offers suggestions on improvements for selling your home quickly.  You may have sold houses before, but today is a different market and your REALTOR® has their “pulse” on it. 

8. Putting the home on the market before it's ready

Don’t overlook the value of hiring a stager. Staging your home before placing it on the market is the packaging which will help you sell.  Also, be sure to remove clutter and begin to pack as much as possible so the house not only looks clean and tidy, but it will also show as spacious as possible.  Once it is on the market, be extra careful if you are still living in the home to keep it neat, clean and tidy in the event of possible showings.

9. Not comparing your home to others in the area / market

A good REALTOR® will pull data (comps) of other homes that are currently on the market (your competition) and recent homes that sold in your area.  These homes will be of comparable age, size and condition. This will help you set realistic expectations on price and save you a considerable amount of time in lowering the price. Remember, it is best to list your home correctly from the beginning and not after it has been sitting on the market. 

10. Getting Emotionally Involved

You have to be prepared to sell your house.  Your home will always have more value to you, than to others. Perhaps it’s the home you grew up in or the home where you raised your children. Whatever the case may be, you cannot let these factors hold you back from selling when you receive a reasonable offer. Remember, your REALTOR® can help you determine the value of your home, without becoming emotionally involved.

We want to hear from you! What other factors should be considered when selling your home?

Avoid These Top Home Selling Mistakes!

Selling a home in a tight economy can been difficult and costly. Additionally, home sellers often set unrealistic expectations that can delay the selling of their home. Don’t be one of them!  The following is the first of a two part series of common mistakes to avoid.

1. Not Hiring a REALTOR®

Believing that you will save money by not hiring a Realtor® may end up costing you more. By hiring a Realtor®, you will be getting a professional that has knowledge of pricing, marketing, pre-qualifying potential buyers, access to the multi-list, knowledge of the legal documents, etc.

2.  Setting an Unrealistic Price

As part of their services, REALTORS® will help you determine a realistic price for your home by pulling comparable market data of other homes in your area that fit the same criteria and specifications as your home.  This will help you determine a competitive price for a house similar to yours in the same area. If your house is put on the market at a price that is felt to be too high, it will not be shown to potential buyers, and you will have missed your opportunity.  It will sit on the market with the rest of the inventory. 

3.  Expecting to Get Your Asking Price 

A REALTOR® will also assist you with having the correct expectations in terms of receiving the appropriate price for your home.  A common misconception is that you should receive your asking price or higher. That may have been the case in the past, but not today in the buyer’s market. Don’t reject an offer because it is not your asking price; that is what negotiations are for. 

4. Not Preparing Your Home for Sale 

An experienced Realtor® can make suggestions on how to make your home marketable and will do so before ever posting your home for sale. Look at your home as a potential buyer pulling up to the curb, walking to the door and into the home. At this point, it becomes necessary not to be defensive, but to listen to your Realtor’s® advise.  In the end, it may help to sell your house faster and at a higher price.    

5. Not Accommodating Potential Buyers 

It is important to know when to accept an offer “as is” and when to accommodate a request from a potential buyer in order to close the deal.  It is important to know when to accommodate a serious buyer and when you will just be wasting your time.  Price isn’t always the reason people don’t buy. Additionally, making too many concessions can leave you spending more than you make. 

Can you add to this list? What have been your experiences with home selling?

Be sure to check back next week for the second part of this blog series!