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?

Drop the "Fly by Night" - The Importance of Having a Buyer’s Agent Represent You.

So You are Shopping to Buy a Home.  Shopping?  Yes, Shopping. 

You are on the internet and see a house of interest or drive past a home with a For Sale sign, and you have questions on these homes or you want to take a tour.  What do you do? You call the agent on the sign or on the listing, of course.  They show you the house.  It is not really what you wanted, so you continue your search. You do the same thing with the next property that you want to see and so on, and so on, don’t you? 

Good idea?  Not so much, and I will explain why this is not in your best interest.

Buying a home is more complex then just calling a listing agent and asking that agent to show you a house. 

Before you start looking at homes, it would best to do your research to locate a REALTOR® to represent YOU.   By hiring a REALTOR®, you will have representation throughout the entire process.  They will also be objective when showing you a home and point out potential issues. A buyer’s agent will be able to show you any property that is listed for sale no matter which company has it listed.  Brokers co-operate by listing their properties on the multi-listing service.  Keep in mind that a listing agent is looking out for the interests of the seller – they are representing them and in doing so, owe them their loyalty. 

Whether you are a first time home buyer or have gone through the process many times, you should still plan to use a buyer’s agent for the same reasons as listed above.  Upon your initial meeting you would want to discuss the Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement with your REALTOR® which would spell out the relationship between you both. 

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS® and are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again. To read more about why you should use a REALTOR® visit: http://bit.ly/OPBo5.

The best thing a home buyer can do is to research and gather as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision. Remember that knowledge is power!  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.   

What advice would you give any one buying a house in today’s market?