A common thought in real estate is never list your home in the off-season; to wait until the spring peak to list your homes. However, studies show that homes listed in the off-season not only sell faster than those in the spring, but sellers also net more above their asking price at this time. If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, there are compelling reasons to list now.
Finding ‘Motivated’ Buyers
Take advantage of low inventory. According to the National Association of Realtors, 55 percent of all buyers purchased their home at the time they did because “it was just the right time.” Since most sellers are waiting until spring to list, local inventory falls during the off-season. However, there are still motivated buyers who are ready to move now and don’t want to wait that long to purchase a home.
Other benefits of selling during fall or winter include easier to maintain curb appeal; potential buyers receiving year-end bonuses that allow them to reach their down payment goals; and companies often hire new employees and relocate current ones during the first quarter of the year, creating a strong demand for housing
A few things you can do to make sure your home is ready to put its best foot forward and capture market attention
- Schedule maintenance. Buyers want a home they can move into right away; they don’t want to repair the roof or the furnace or replace windows with blown thermal seals before they move in. Do the scheduled maintenance and make repairs before you list your home for sale.
- Create light. Balance out the lack of natural light outdoors by turning the lights on inside. Since people naturally tend to buy emotionally, turning on the lights helps create a sense of warmth and coziness. Light a fire in the fireplace, if you have one, fill your home with the scents of the season, such as vanilla or fresh baked cookies, and put a throw blanket on your sofa.
- If you plan to paint the interior of your home before you list, consider an off-white or bright grey shade to create consistency throughout your home and make the space feel larger and brighter. If you have photos of your garden or the home’s exterior in the spring or summer, display them so interested buyers can get a glimpse of what the home looks like in other seasons.
- Give your home a thorough cleaning. Cleaning puts your home in its best light. Clean and polish all the horizontal surfaces of your home, including countertops, window sills and baseboards; have the curtains dry cleaned or otherwise laundered; wash windows, glass doors and their tracks; vacuum carpeting and polish all wood surfaces, including the floor.
If you’re thinking of selling, give us a call! We’d love to help you position your home to sell for the best price in the least time!
Commentary By: Shana O'Brien - Realty ONE Group Cascadia
