real estate

Dive into the Garden Media Group’s 2018 annual report to showcase the hottest garden trends and styles.

It is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the spring-buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off on putting their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that will be a good strategy this year.

The other listings that do come out in the spring will represent increased competition to any seller. Do a greater number of homes actually come to the market in the spring as compared to the rest of the year? The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently revealed the months in which most people listed their homes for sale in 2017. Here is a graphic showing the results:

The three months in the second quarter of the year (represented in red) are consistently the most popular months for sellers to list their homes on the market. Last year, the number of homes available for sale in January was 1,680,000.

That number spiked to 1,970,000 by May!
What does this mean to you?
With the national job situation improving, and mortgage interest rates projected to rise later in the year, buyers are not waiting until the spring; they are out looking for homes right now. If you are looking to sell this year, waiting until the spring to list your home means you will have the greatest competition amongst buyers.

Bottom Line
It may make sense to beat the rush of housing inventory that will enter the market in the spring and list your home today.

NEWTON, Massachusetts  – Few people realize that here in Newton, the winter market actually tends to favor the Sellers, in many cases largely just due to the lack of inventory.  The key, however, is to make your property show its best, regardless of the weather outside. Here are a few tips and tricks of the trade, which you may want to consider.

-Pick up any dead tree limbs.
-Keep your driveway, steps, and walkways plowed, shoveled, and salted at all times.
-Keep gutters clean so that no icicles have a chance to form.
-Replace weather-stripping as needed to keep drafts away.
-Keep all valves to outdoor spigots turned off to avoid burst pipes.
-Holiday decorations should be put away as soon as possible.
-Keeping a roaring fireplace during an open house this time of year is always a good thing.
-Keep lists handy for all potential buyers of all of your home’s energy efficiencies, i.e. wrapped pipes, extra insulation, new windows, etc.
-Keep all windows clean to let in as much light as possible. Remove all screens to storage and take down any heavy drapes. This will let in that extra light that so many potential buyers will be demanding this time of year.
-Keep as many lights on as possible during showings. If you cannot be there, set lights on timers and add motion sensors to walkways. You may even consider installing motion detectors for walk-in closets.
-Keep photos around your home showing the house in all seasons. A nice shot of your blooming flowers and lush green shrubs will help potential buyers understand what is under all of that snow!

Remember, the winter is a fine time to sell, and the data backs that up time after time. You’ll be limited to only the serious Buyers, not the tire-kickers, and those folks will have far fewer homes to pick from; that alone will increase your chances.

If you’re interested in learning more about selling in the winter, just reach out to me anytime and we can chat.

NEWTON, Massachusetts – When preparing your home for sale it is important not to forget your windows. Make sure your windows are clean operable and that the screens are in place and void of holes. Windows are the eyes of your home, they showcase any views you may have, let in light and improve ventilation. Most of us would prefer to be outside as much as possible but certain times of the year can make this hard. Windows allow us a glimpse of the outside regardless of the weather. We can watch the sun rise, rain and snow fall, wind blowing, and leaves falling from the comfort of our homes, appreciating Mother Nature whether we are reading a story to the kids, cooking dinner, or relaxing by a fire. Buyers can picture themselves appreciating the view from every room in your home and it is of the essence to show this view off as much as possible. If you do not have a view from a particular window a window treatment could make a big difference. An attractive fabric or perhaps a shade that lets in light but blocks and unattractive view could be in the cards. Whatever you do to prepare your home for sale just remember that windows are your home’s segue to the exterior of your home. Click here to read “Prepping a Home for Sale: Simple Staging Tips for Inside and Out” from Realtor.org.