Updated: Feb 1
The question that lingers in homeowners’ minds about selling their houses is the best time to sell a home. It is of importance because it gives them a sense of direction. Have you been trying to get that house sold to no avail? If so, you should know that it is never easy, and there are many factors to keep in mind to do it right. If you are doing this for the first time, you have come to the right place. Also, there is no such thing as selling one’s house without researching, especially if there is no agent. At least get to know a few ones and twos about the market and the like. Read on to find out more about the best time yet to sell your house and more.
The Best Time to Sell Your House.
You may get the urge to sell your house during different seasons of the year, including spring, summer, or fall. There is no issue with that, but keep in mind that seasonality affects selling a house. As a result, they don’t sell like hotcakes during each season, and here is why. Spring is the best time to put your home up for sale- at least before the pandemic. There are usually many buyers looking to buy houses then. Isn’t that a good start for you? Homeowners should prepare their homes for sale during the winter as they await spring. You are probably wondering, why spring? The weather is usually better and not to mention the summer break is usually around the corner.
On the other hand, summer finds people thinking about vacations, and as a result, the market tends to be slow. However, this should not come as a surprise. Fall could be a good time to sell your house, but you can never be sure with people getting layoffs and job transfers, among others. The buyers won’t be as many as they would be in spring. You should know that seasonality is not the only factor to consider. Whether or not you are ready to let it go is another factor to think about.
Mistakes to Evade When Selling a House.
You are less likely to make mistakes if this is not a first because of experience. Fortunately, if it is a first, you can also avoid them. That is why researching is essential; it is like a shield to see them coming and make the proper adjustments.
No Real Estate Agent? No Problem.
Nobody said that only incorporating real estate agents into the house selling process can get the job done. You would be surprised how well you will pull it off independently. However, don’t go ahead of yourself. The first step is already known to you: research. You probably guessed it. Look at the recently sold properties in your area and those in the market. This will help you in setting the price. Also, acknowledge that most homeowners factor in the agent’s commission; hence, do not set a similar price with them when it should be lower. Remember, you will be in charge of marketing too. Consider putting your home on a listing service to reach as many buyers as possible. What follows is negotiating the price with the buyers’ agents. Note that it can be pretty stressful and time-consuming. Lastly, you will need an attorney to make the process smooth.
Failure to Disclose Your Property’s Issues.
There is no way you can get away with such; after all, the buyer will inspect to ensure that they get value for their money. Wouldn’t you do the same? Remember, a house is an investment, and no one can buy it blindly. There are ways you could go about it. One entails setting the price below the market value or account for the problems beforehand by getting them fixed. Also, you could list the property at the regular price but give the buyer credit for taking care of those issues. Some of the buyers you will interact with will rule your home out because of those issues. Hence, you may want to sort out those problems in advance for those clients who love houses in perfect shape. Sometimes your house may have problems and are unaware of them, and to avoid such unpleasant surprises when buyers do their inspection, have your home inspected first.
Setting Unrealistic Prices.
Whether you sell your home alone or with a real estate agent, there is a need to analyze the comparative market. While doing it, remember that your prospects will do it too to determine whether the price set is fair. Therefore, you cannot afford to set high prices only because you feel like your home is worth a lot. It would be best to do it on a comparison basis with the other homes in your area. People do not realize that overpriced homes don’t get new owners- ask anyone who has been in this business for a long time; they know better.
Economizing on Listing Photos.
No matter what you do, please keep in mind that quality speaks for itself. You can forget any other thing but this. Technology has changed so many things, and now people can look for homes online. How convenient is that? For this reason, you have to pay a photographer to take good photos of your home. No matter how tempting it may be to do it yourself, there will be a difference when there is professional touch involved. Great photos will generate interest from buyers and set you apart from the other sellers. Also, do not limit yourself to images only. Let the photographer capture a video too. You could also consider an introductory walk into the property. It will entice prospects even more than the photos would; after all, who doesn’t want to see a glimpse of a home they are looking to purchase?
Failure to Welcome Buyers into Your Property.
It is overwhelming to accommodate buyers, especially when there are many visiting at a time. The thing is, you have to accommodate all your prospects when they need to view your house. Ensure that you clean and tidy up the place because the first impression is everything.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Time for Selling a House.
Your Home’s Condition.
This entails how decent your home looks. If you want to sell your home without lowering the price, ensure it is in top-tier condition. Consider talking to a real estate agent or staging professional. They will advise you on the areas of your house that need a revamp. Also, when preparing your home for sale, ensure to consider the outdoor part. Some homeowners forget that it is the first thing buyers look at or their eyes set on. For that reason, it should look appealing and tidy. The lawns should be well-manicured: this will say more about you and what to expect indoors.
All in all, give outdoor and indoor parts of your home equal attention: none should be disregarded. However, note that you can sell your house as-is if time is not a luxury at hand. This translates to not having to fix or repair anything in your home. You should know that this comes with a price reduction; therefore, don’t anticipate it to fetch top
dollar for you will be in for a disappointment.
Have You Found A Reputable Real Estate Agent?
If you plan on working with an agent, you need to start looking early. You will come across numerous real estate agents, but there are things you need to look out for. Ascertain that your interests align with the agent’s interests. Most times, their goal is to enrichen themselves by slowing down the process after promising to sell the house within a specific timeframe. While this takes place, you will continue paying them a commission. You need to ascertain that the real estate agent working with you has your interests at heart. Do not enlist the services of an agent blindly; otherwise, you will have so much regret in the end. Note that the more you sell your house, the more you pay them. Therefore, If you are ready to cater to these costs, go ahead and hire an agent. However, ascertain that as you hire them, they do not have a couple of other listings to do. This is because little attention will be given to your home. Also, note that it is unnecessary if you are thinking of hiring the same agent who helped you buy the current house.
Consider Your Personal Needs.
What has driven you to sell your house? Everyone tends to have varying reasons, including downsizing to a smaller home, growing a family, upgrading to better housing, and relocating for a new job. They should be respected because everyone is going through different things in life. Whatever reason you have should be communicated to the real estate agent; that way, they can help you figure out the best time to sell the house. It may even make the agent hasten the process when they realize that time is running out. For example, if it is a job transfer, you will need the house gone sooner than later. You cannot wait for the peak season to have it sold: this is where your real estate agent comes in handy. Are you now seeing the importance of getting a great agent with your interests at heart? You do not have to be shy or embarrassed by your reasons; hence, be as open as can be. Remember, sometimes the best time for selling your house is
when you deem best; it all goes down to your circumstances.
The Local Housing Market.
Seasonality is not the only thing to consider. Study the local housing market trends and consider whether it works in your favor or against you. You may opt for an agent to help you gather this information since they are more conversant with everything in this field than you, who are probably new to all this. They will help you understand how the market is fairing, not to forget, give you the comparative market analysis. This will help you set the price since it will provide a sense of your home’s worth in the prevailing market conditions. Isn’t that amazing? The competition between selling and buying in the real estate market determines the best time to sell a house. This market is also described as the buyer’s and seller’s markets. Consider how fast prices are appreciating in your neighborhood and homes are being sold. The data you will find on your local real estate trends page will be beneficial, but only when you understand and know how to make good use of it. Do not struggle alone, and agents are there to help you.
Are You in Possession of House Selling Skills?
The idea of selling a house alone entices many homeowners because they will not have to pay any real estate agent. On the other hand, it is essential to mention that it will not be a walk in the park, but it improves with time. Very few homeowners possess the skills required to sell their houses. You should know that some of the money paid to real estate agents goes to the buyer’s agents since they partly work together. This means that when you sell it alone, you will only save between 2.5 to 3.5% of your house’s final price. It is, however, advisable that you interview agents who have demonstrated that they know your neighborhood and ask them to prepare a comparable market analysis for your home. It doesn’t matter whether you are selling your house alone or not. The houses that have been sold in the past six months should be the basis for the asking price. As you shop for the best yet agent, ask for an activity list for the houses they have sold over the last year. This will help you get references from property sellers like you who have worked with them in the past. Please ensure that you do this; it will be crucial to obtain those references, if not now, in the future.
Selling your house requires a lot of patience, even when the timing is the best. You will interact with many buyers who seem promising but fail to reach out afterward. Of course, you cannot be depressed about this, but instead, be open-minded and trust the process. Ensure that you avoid the mistakes mentioned above. Despite being warned or given a heads up, it will certainly be unfortunate to make them. When researching, take your time because there is so much to be discovered. Also, when looking for the best real estate agent, do not be in a hurry to pick the one. In addition to that, you will be paying them; thus, ensuring they are worth every penny is the best thing you could do. Remember, the best time to sell a house is spring, but life happens. You may undergo things that require it to be sold before or after spring, which is okay. Do not forget that your personal needs also matter; therefore, never disregard or overlook them. If you are to sell the house alone, remember to take one day at a time, for you cannot sell a home overnight. It will take time; furthermore, you want to sell your house to a legitimate buyer. You cannot afford to lose the house over scammers. Ensure that the house is sold in the right way and if anything sounds amiss, avoid it.
