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Making a big decision is never easy, especially when you’re aware it will affect your entire life. How do you know if it’s the right time to sell your property—a place where you have likely spent many years and built countless 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 our very first meeting all the way to the closing table. 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...
Advice about selling can vary wildly, but there’s one time of year that most experts believe you should avoid listing a home: wintertime.
Between the holiday season and the cold weather in some parts of the country, there aren’t too many buyers incentivized to disrupt their lives and move. This means they aren’t really thinking about shopping for a home, either. Fewer active buyers means less of a chance that your home will be the one that sells.
...And the peak selling season
Just as 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, the days are getting longer, and tax season gives some buyers a leap ahead on their down payment savings.
So, does that mean you should absolutely sell in the spring? Maybe—but be aware that other sellers are going to have the exact same idea. There will be heavier competition in the form of more homes available on the market.
Does the day of the week matter?
Actually, it might. According to several different industry studies, homes listed on a Thursday or Friday have been found to sell in the shortest amount of time and for slightly higher prices than homes listed on other days.
It’s highly likely that the approaching weekend is what gives Thursday and Friday their edge. Buyers are much more likely to have free time to schedule home tours or attend open houses over the weekend. With more buyers looking at your house in a concentrated window, you have a higher chance 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 and have done all the necessary repairs to maximize your chances, there’s one major mistake that can shoot all your efforts 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 for property watch lists and get an alert the second a home is listed on the MLS. Most of the qualified buyers for your home are going to see its listing within the first 48 hours of it going "live."
You get exactly one big chance to make your home’s debut in front of its target audience. If we set the price too high (or too low, for that matter), we blow that first impression.
