Want to Know The Best Time of Year to Sell Your Home?
You have made the decision to list your home for sale. Perhaps your next question is:
What time of year is best to sell my home?
To help you answer this question you can take a look at the benefits and challenges of selling your home during Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. You may think the Fall and Winter seasons are less desirable for listing your home for sale. This is not necessarily true. Review the Selling St. Charles County Team’s Quick Tips for suggestions on improving your ability to sell your home during these seasons.
It is important to remember that a reasonable asking price is perhaps the biggest factor when it comes to a quick and profitable sale, regardless of the time of year. It is tempting to set a high asking price since the chance of securing it means more potential financial gain. However, if the price is set too high the house can languish in the listings, setting you back by costing you the benefit of the all important “new listing” buzz period.
Contact The Selling St. Charles County Team for guidance with setting the optimal asking price for your home, or if you have any other questions.
The Benefits of Listing Your Home For Sale in the Spring
Spring Showers Bring May Flowers…and Buyers!
The majority of buyers begin their home search in the spring. The weather is warming up and hibernation is coming to an end. Flowers begin to bloom and your curb appeal is beginning to improve compared to the dreary winter season.
Perhaps buyers have planned a vacation to St. Charles County to locate their next home. Your home will be fresh on the market and ready to be previewed.
Quick Inside Tips:
- Get a head start on spring cleaning before listing your home for sale
- Have the windows cleaned inside and out
- Open the windows while you are home to let in the fresh spring air
Quick Outside Tips:
- Freshen the garden by planting blooming flowers and plants
- Tidy up the entryway and purchase a new doormat
- Cut the grass and remove or replace plants that didn’t survive through winter
The Challenges of Listing Your Home For Sale in the Spring
Buyers are Springing Up, Where Are the Offers?
At this time of the year you will need to take into consideration the increased competition you will face in selling your home. Buyers are picky as there are many homes on the market at this time of year to choose from.
The offers you receive on your home may be lower at this time of year, simply because the bargain shopping buyers are looking for a deal. At this time of year, competition amongst home sellers is becoming fierce.
The Benefits of Listing Your Home For Sale in the Summer
Get Ready, Buyers Are Already Packing!
Summer can be and excellent time to sell your home. Moving during the summer is considerably easier . Buyers may take vacation time for the transition, plus as an added benefit, their valuables and furniture are not exposed to inclement weather during the move.
Quick Inside Tips:
- Set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature so buyers will linger
- Place a bowl of wrapped candy (safety suckers) out for buyers with children
- If you have a pet make special arrangements so they won’t be out in the heat
Quick Outside Tips:
- Create shady areas with patio umbrellas if you are short on trees
- Keep the yard tidy and place outdoor toys in bins
- If you have a pet be sure to pick up after it as soon as possible
The Challenges of Listing Your Home For Sale in the Summer
Will a Lemonade Stand Help?
You will find an increased amount of competition when you choose to sell your home in the summer season. If your home doesn’t sell by the end of the summer months, you may become anxious and want to reduce your listing price. This decision could result in less of a profit from the sale.
The Benefits of Listing Your Home for Sale in the Fall
‘Tis the Season to Sell?
Selling your home at this time of year means you will have to be a serious seller to get the sale. Combine this with the tendency to see serious buyers at this time of year and you’ve got a great match!
Sellers (your competitors) that do not have to sell their home will simply begin to drop off the market at this time of the year. They will wait for what they consider to be a more favorable selling season. The competition for selling your home will very likely begin and steadily decrease throughout fall and into the winter months.
With your home priced aggressively, and showing well, you can still attract buyers at this time of year. By also taking advantage of the upcoming holiday season you can add an extra special warm feeling to your home to entice buyers.
Quick Inside Tips:
- Decorate for the holidays early, keeping in mind that less is more
- Bake a pie just before a showing so the aroma will entice buyers to linger
- Place holiday fragrant potpourri in your home
Quick Outside Tips:
- Sprinkle a layer of fresh mulch onto your garden beds
- Keep falling leaves, twigs and dead or broken branches cleaned up
- Pay daily attention to the importance of your curb appeal
The Challenges of Listing Your Home for Sale in the Fall
It’s Fall, Are All the Buyers at the Mall?
Come November the market tends to slow down as people begin to focus on the holiday season, upcoming holiday parties and holiday travel. There will be significantly fewer buyers looking for a home at this time of the year, but those in the market typically are very serious.
Your home’s curb appeal is more than likely beginning to fade. Leaves are falling and debris is carried in the wind and dropped upon your shrubbery and lawn.
With the rainy season underway, your home may now be subjected to muddy feet and wet outerwear as buyers view your home.
The Benefits of Listing Your Home For Sale in the Winter
Serious Home Buyers do not Hibernate!
Buyers will more than likely be serious buyers on a mission. Their mission is to find their perfect home amongst the inventory of homes that are typically on the market at this time of year.
The market tends to pick up again in the month of January. People have taken their respite over the holidays and start making their life changing decisions, sometimes referred to as resolutions.
Quick inside Tips:
- Open the drapes or blinds and let the light in
- Display photos of your home during the blooming season
- Keep holiday decorations to a minimum
Quick outside Tips:
- Pay close attention to your curb appeal
- Keep walkways and sidewalks treated and clear of debris and snow
- Place a coat rack and a seat just inside your home’s entrance for shoe removal
The Challenges of Listing Your Home For Sale in the Winter
Do Buyers Hibernate?
When there is already so much to do during the holiday season, moving most assuredly will be at the bottom of most buyer’s lists. There are a smaller percentage of people needing to move at this time of year resulting in a smaller pool of buyers. However, those buyers in the market now are generally very serious.
Buyers will not overpay for a home at this time of year as they can choose to wait until the inventory increases. This is especially true for the picky buyer, hence the importance of your home showing at its very best. You might consider hiring a Home Staging Service.
Maintaining your home’s curb appeal can be quite the challenge during the winter months. Snow can accumulate and cause headaches. You will have to be diligent in removing the snow and treating walkways for your home to be shown to prospective buyers.
So…What Time of Year is Best to Sell?
Any time of year can be the best time to sell your home. It is simply a matter of adjusting your strategy for the seasonal trends. Contact us today to develop your unique marketing strategy. Your questions and concerns will be heard and you will be guided through the selling process during whichever season you choose to sell your home.
No matter what the season, you have a reason to call. Contact The Selling St. Charles County Team now.