Jim Valentine on Real Estate
So you’ve been thinking of selling but not sure when to list your home for sale. You can talk to your agent about the market, interest rates, the economy, the weather and many other things during the process of listing your home, but the ultimate decision of when should you actually enter the market will be up to you and what it is that you are trying to achieve.
One of the first things to consider is what your objective is beyond selling your home. Are you moving up or down in the same market? Are you moving out of the area? Is it for a significant reason beyond a want, i.e., new job, family medical needs, etc.? Are you overextended with the payments? The real reason for your decision to sell will help guide you as to when you should sell. Many people have been waiting to see the results of the recent presidential election. That is over now.
If you are going to buy right away, what market are you buying in and how will the recent presidential election results affect that market? It isn’t easy to predict the future, but there is some common sense to be applied when you consider what might happen to interest rates, new construction volume, market competition in both selling and buying due to the potential for reduced interest rates. There are many unknowns, but there is a lot of optimism in the air already in just a short period of time and you must consider how it will affect your purchase as well as the sale of your property.
Our Northern Nevada winter weather has been delayed, but it is coming. That will have some impact on the market, but not as much as the overall public perception of winter real estate would lead one to believe. Our market is good year ‘round. There are fewer showings in the winter, but the quality of the prospects is better. People looking in the snow are serious buyers. Don’t think you have to wait until spring to list your home if you want to sell now.
If you are going to list your home soon then you might want to make sure that you’ve got the outside things taken care of so it shows its best winter look when you actually enter the market. Trim the bushes, rake the leaves, clean the gutters, wrap up the hoses, spruce it up. It will be dormant, but it can still look tidy and appealing. Some people want to see it “at its worst,” in the dead of winter. As you know, that is when we have some of our most scenic days with snow-capped mountains pushing into brilliant blue skies.
You will want to make your best guess at how long it will take to sell your home and buy another. If you time it right you can move just once. In a competitive market that isn’t easy to do without using temporary moveable storage containers. It’s the old chicken and egg routine until you take action. Do you list first, buy first, or sit and wait for something to happen. Make a plan, make contingencies for the “what if this happens” scenarios, and go forward with your plan. Be clear with your wants and needs and the answers will come to you.
If you think you might want to sell begin looking at the real estate activity in your neighborhood or town. What is selling? How are the prices for sellers? How long is it taking for homes to sell? Who is buying and how is their market? Do you understand the new methodology of how real estate agents work together? Study up, pay attention and be ready. If you are ready you will know when it’s the right time to list.
Selling your home is a big decision with many facets to examine and consider. It is worth spending some time on the process to assure that you make the best move for you family from a financial, emotional and physical viewpoint. Make the effort and enjoy the results.
When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your Real Estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Jim Valentine, License No. BS-03481, RE/MAX Gold Carson Valley 775-781-3704. dpwtigers@hotmail.com.