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Sell your property with confidence
Making a big decision is never easy, especially when you’re aware it could affect your entire life. How should you know if it’s the right time for you to sell your property, the place where you most likely spent many years and is filled with memories? This is always a serious step and it’s best to have someone you can trust guiding you throughout the process. I am eager to support you during your journey - from the beginning to closing the deal. Here’s a short guide I've prepared to help you decide if you’re ready for the big step.
The annual real estate doldrums …
Most advice you’ll hear about selling will be different, but there’s one time of year that most experts believe you should avoid when it comes to listing a home: wintertime.
Between the holiday season and the weather, there is the potential for less buyers incentivized to disrupt their lives and move into a new home, which means they aren’t really thinking about shopping for one, either -- at least in some markets. In our Capital Region area, we have found that the most serious buyers ARE home shopping and taking advantage of a less competitive market. .
… And the peak selling season
Just like many experts will warn you against winter, springtime is commonly considered one of the best times of the year to sell a home.
Buyers are interested in making a fresh start, yards look lush and green, days are starting to get longer, and tax season gives some buyers a leap ahead on any down payment savings. If families have children, making sure there is no disruption in the school schedule, especially if changing schools will be considered.
So does that mean you should sell in the springtime? Maybe … but be aware that other sellers are going to have the same idea. There will be competition in the form of more homes available on the market.
Does the day of the week matter?
Actually, it might. According to a couple of different studies, homes that were listed on Thursday or Friday have been found to sell in the shortest length of time for slightly higher prices than any other homes.
It’s possible that the timing of the weekend is what’s honing Thursday’s and Friday’s edge over the other days of the week. Buyers are more likely to have time to schedule home tours or attend open houses over the weekend, and there are likely to be more of those buyers looking at each house (and therefore more chances of getting an offer, or maybe even multiple offers).
Timing isn’t everything
Even if you think you’ve nailed the absolute best time to sell your home and you’ve done all you can repair-wise to maximize your chances, there’s one big mistake that could shoot all your efforts right in the foot: Pricing your home incorrectly when you first list it.
Some sellers don’t think this is the huge deal that it really (really!) is. Serious buyers sign up to property watch lists and get an alert as soon as a home is listed on the MLS. Most of the buyers who could buy your home are going to see its listing within the first 48 hours of that listing being “live.”
You get one chance to make your home’s initial big debut. Listing it at the best market price right in the beginning will grasp serious potential buyers immediately.
Select the best REALTOR® for you.
I'm sure you have plenty of friends who have bragged about their real estate agent. You could even have a member in your family who sells real estate. Selecting one should be like a job interview. This is your investment, your livelihood. Do your personalities clash? Does the agent answer your calls and texts in a timely manner? Do you feel like they are actually working for you? If you aren't sure of what questions to ask, you could start with a few simple ones:
1. How familiar are you with my neighborhood?
2. How many transactions did you do last year?
3. How will you market my home?
4. Will you be handling all steps of the sale, or do you have a transaction coordinator? (This is important! Who you begin the sale with might not be who you actually converse with the entire time.)
Don't just rely on someone else's experience. Do your homework and make sure you're selecting someone who is honest, trustworthy and has experience.
