Many homeowners are under the impression that listing a home right before the holidays is a bad choice. Well, we’re here to tell you that this simply isn’t true!
Low-interest rates are rocket fuel for the market, and until they rise we expect there to be exceptional demand for homes in good condition. This means there are buyers ready to go right now, waiting for a property like yours! There is no need to wait until spring in a market like this!
Not convinced? Here are 5 more reasons to list your home in December!
1. Less Seller Competition
Many people think winter is a hibernation period for real estate. However, low inventory isn’t always a sign that the market is slow. In fact, this year we’ve seen steady buyer demand well into the fall and beginning of this holiday season.
Buyers did not find what they were looking for during the Spring/Summer real estate season, due to lockdowns and seller hesitation associated with COVID. This means they are itching to find the perfect property and have had months to prepare to put a top-dollar offer in on the home of their dreams!
2. Buyers Shopping Now are SERIOUS
Just as homeowners who choose to list at this time of year are serious, so are the buyers out pounding the pavement. They know that good homes are on the market and are on the hunt to find them. They want to buy, and they want to buy NOW. And, when personal circumstances make it a necessity – like work relocation or family changes – sellers stand to benefit.
January is one of the biggest months of the year for corporate relocations, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by!
3. Your House Looks Amazing for the Holidays – Take Advantage!
You’ve decluttered, decked the halls, and spruced things up for the holidays. Now, take advantage of the time of year when your home is at its best. It practically shows itself!
For more holiday home marketing tips check out our article: How To Sell Your Home In The Winter
4. Be a Non-Contingent Buyer In the Spring
In a market with low inventory and pent up demand, placing your offer as “the cream of the crop” is key. We’ve had lots of clients who’ve struggled to win out in a bidding war due to a “home sale-contingent” offer. Sellers don’t want the hassle of waiting to see “if” and “when” a buyer’s current home will sell and, in a market with ample demand, they don’t have to.
If you need to sell your home to make a purchase, selling in the winter and having a pocket full of cash to buy with this spring is NEVER a bad thing. If you must, you can often negotiate to stay in your home after closing for a short period while you finalize your purchase, all without the messy contingency and chance of losing out on the home down the line.
5. No One Knows What the Future Holds
In December of last year, nobody knew a global pandemic would hit the U.S. and send our economy to a screeching halt in an instant. Sellers who decided to “wait until spring” last December found themselves in a pickle come March when real estate was shut down altogether. So, if you are ready, don’t wait. No one knows what the future holds and conditions could change in a snap. This year is proof of that for sure.
In any year, predicting the future is always riskier than analyzing the current situation. As it stands now, interest rates are still at record lows, buyers who missed out on purchasing this spring and summer are ready to pounce, and real estate agents have had a full 9-months to adjust their business in order to safely market and sell homes amidst the pandemic.
The Bottom Line
We know that this year put a lot of people’s plans on hold – and for good reason. Protecting your health and the health of those around you is the number one consideration during this time. However, if you’ve been on the fence and feel it may be time to make a move, maybe it is time to talk to your financial advisor, a lender, and a qualified real estate agent to discuss if selling now is a prudent and viable option for you.
We know that interest rates are still low, but we don’t know how long it will be before they begin to go up again. We know that prices are still steadily rising and inventory is tight, but we don’t know what the market will look like by spring all things considered. We know buyer demand is strong, but we aren’t sure when the market will begin to shift back towards a buyers market. So the bottom line is: secure the new home you need (and want) while conditions are right.
When you take the right steps to prepare your home for sale and have sound advice from a skilled Realtor, selling your home during the holidays is nearly effortless. Talk to us today to learn how we can help you sell your home quickly, safely, and effortlessly this winter and you just might find yourself with something very special to toast to for the New Year!
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