Why the Holidays Are a Great Time to Sell Your House
In the world of real estate, you usually hear how it is best to sell your house in the spring months. Most people lay low or are too busy with the holidays during the winter months to consider buying a new home, and most likely prefer to home shop in the spring to ensure that they are settled in their homes before the start of a new school year.
But, life happens. What if you find yourself in a position where you can't wait for the weather to warm up before putting your house on the market? Is it a good idea to sell your home during the holidays? Surprisingly, there are many benefits to selling your home during the winter months. Here are reasons why it may be a good time to sell your house.
Buyers are Strongly Motivated
Anyone looking for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year's is likely to be a serious buyer because no one is going to waste their precious family time looking at houses during the holidays.
Putting your home on the market in the winter season and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a faster sale.
Less Inventory & Competition
Unlike in the spring and summer, there is usually less competition during the holidays. Many sellers do not want to list their homes just before or during the holidays, because of the obvious reason for simply wanting to spend time with their families and friends.
Again, you may hear that you can get the most from your home in spring and summer, but even if inventory is limited, there are plenty of homes listed around the holidays that may command a higher price. You may sell your home faster than those listed in spring if you play your cards right.
The Cozy & Festive Feeling
Holiday decorations can bring out the best in a home and attract buyers! Your home will look and smell wonderful if staged in a clever fashion. Turn the heat on, and bake a batch of cookies for an irresistible smell to pass through the home. Buyers can picture themselves better in a home that feels comfortable and cozy.
Furthermore, the holidays can provide an emotional connection to a home, making a buyer feel more compelled to write and make an offer (and possibly pay more).
Year-End Job Changes
The end of the year is typically when people are informed that they will be moving due to a job transfer, or when an offer from another company comes in that is simply too good to pass up.
Those people will need a home sooner rather than later, so they will be looking for a new home during the holidays. These buyers can't wait for spring, which is why listing during the holidays can result in a quick sale.
In Closing
Despite what you’ve heard, selling your home during the holiday season has many benefits. You can face less competition, have more serious buyers, and possibly even a quicker sale process. You also have the opportunity to create a warm and cozy atmosphere that you can’t really create in the warmer months.
If you find yourself ready to sell your home this season, don’t shy away because you think it may be a failure! Speak with one of our Realtors today and let’s get your home ready to sell!
The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Selling Their Home
Selling your home is a big decision. It's a decision that can be emotional, stressful, and time-consuming. And, if you're not careful, it can also be a decision that costs you a lot of money.
At 316 Realty Group, we see a lot of people make the same mistakes when selling their homes. In this blog post, we'll share the 5 biggest mistakes people make when selling their homes so that you can avoid them.
Mistake #1: Not Hiring a Professional Realtor
One of the biggest mistakes people make when selling their home is trying to go it alone. Sure, you may have seen some houses sell in your neighborhood without the help of a professional realtor. But, more often than not, those homes sell for less than they would have with the help of a professional.
A good realtor will help you price your home correctly, market your home effectively, and negotiate on your behalf. In other words, a good realtor will help you get the most money for your home. At 316 Realty Group, we have a team of experienced realtors who are ready to help you sell your home for top dollar.
Mistake #2: Not Preparing Your Home For Sale
Another mistake people make when selling their homes is failing to prepare their homes for sale. If you want to get top dollar for your home, it needs to be in tip-top shape before you put it on the market. That means repairing any damage, deep cleaning every room, and decluttering every space.
It's also important to stage your home so that potential buyers can see themselves living there. This means removing personal items like family photos and mementos and replacing them with more neutral items. If you're not sure how to stage your home, our team at 316 Realty Group can help. We offer free staging consultations to all of our clients.
Mistake #3: Not Disclosing Problems With The House Upfront
If there are problems with your house—like water damage in the basement or cracks in the foundation—it's important to disclose those problems upfront. Failing to do so could result in legal problems down the road. More importantly, it could cost you the sale of your home altogether.
The best way to avoid this mistake is to have a pre-listing inspection performed on your home before putting it on the market. This will give you an opportunity to fix any problems with your house before potential buyers see them. Pre-listing inspections are just one of the many services we offer at 316 Realty Group.
Mistake #4: Pricing Your Home Too High (or Too Low)
Pricing your home correctly is one of the most important aspects of selling your home successfully. Price it too high and it will sit on the market unsold; price it too low and you'll leave money on the table that could have gone into your pocket.
+ At 316 Realty Group, we use cutting-edge technology and data-driven analysis to help our clients price their homes correctly from day one. We'll conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) of similar homes in your area that have recently sold and use that data to price your home competitively yet fairly based on its unique features and upgrades.
Mistake #5: Failing to Negotiate Effectively
Negotiating is one of the most important—and most difficult—parts of selling a home. It's important because it's how you'll ultimately get top dollar for your home. But it's difficult because it requires skill, experience, and knowledge of both state laws and real estate contracts.
Selling your home can be a big undertaking but by avoiding these five mistakes, you can set yourself up for success! If you're thinking of putting your house on the market in the near future, contact 316 Realty Group today! Our team of experienced real estate agents would be more than happy to help you through every step of the process—from preparing and pricing your home competitively to marketing it effectively and negotiating with buyers—we've got you covered! Give us a call or send us an email today to get started!
Reference:
14 Common Home-Selling Mistakes to Avoid. (n.d.). Ramsey Solutions. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/home-selling-mistakes
Avoid These Mistakes When Selling Your Home. (2022, September 16). Investopedia. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/home-seller-mistakes-selling-house.asp
The 9 biggest mistakes people make when they try to sell their homes, according to real-estate agents. (n.d.). Business Insider. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://www.businessinsider.com/mistakes-people-make-trying-to-sell-home-real-estate-agents-tips-2019-5
How to Prepare Your Home for Sale
If you're planning on putting your home on the market, there are a few things you can do to increase its appeal to potential buyers. From decluttering and depersonalizing to making small repairs and enhancements, a little bit of effort on your part can go a long way in helping your home sell quickly and for top dollar.
Here are a few tips from 316 Realty Group on how to prepare your home for sale:
1. Declutter and depersonalize.
When buyers walk through your home, you want them to be able to envision themselves living there. That's why it's important to declutter and depersonalize before putting your home on the market. Get rid of any clutter that has built up over the years, and pack away personal items like family photos and keepsakes. You might even want to consider renting a storage unit to temporarily remove larger items from your home.
The goal is to create a clean slate that buyers can imagine making their own. By decluttering and depersonalizing your home, you'll help potential buyers see it as a blank canvas that they can personalize to suit their own needs and taste. In the end, this simple step can go a long way in helping you sell your home quickly and for top dollar.
2. Make small repairs and enhancements.
Whether you're trying to sell your home or just make it more comfortable for yourself, it's important to keep up with small repairs. Things like leaky faucets and damaged drywall can not only be annoying, but they can also end up costing you a lot of money in the long run. So, it's always best to take care of them as soon as possible.
Similarly, cosmetic enhancements like painting walls or updating light fixtures can also go a long way in improving the overall appearance of your home. And, unlike major renovations, they tend to be relatively inexpensive and can usually be completed fairly quickly. So, if you're looking for a way to add value to your home without breaking the bank, take care of those small repairs and consider making some cosmetic enhancements.
3. Stage your home for showings.
Staging is an important part of selling a home. It is the process of preparing a house for sale, and it can be the difference between a quick sale and a house that sits on the market for months. There are a few things to keep in mind when staging a home.
First, create open spaces. This can be done by moving furniture around or removing unnecessary pieces altogether. Second, arrange decorations in a way that is pleasing to the eye. This may mean rearranging knick-knacks on shelves or grouping photographs on the wall. Finally, remember that you only have one chance to make a good first impression, so make it count! Staging is an important part of selling a home, but it is also important to keep potential buyers in mind when making changes. After all, you want them to fall in love with your home just as much as you did.
Preparing your home for sale doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following these simple tips from 316 Realty Group, you can increase your chances of selling quickly and for top dollar. So what are you waiting for? Start decluttering, repairing, and staging today!