To Stay on the Market...or Not to Stay on the Market

That is the question being asked of many professional agents by their clients at this time of the year.  Particularly this year as we work at gaining the confidence that we still have a viable market to sell in.  Unlike what most people would guess the fall is usually the second best time of the year to sell a house.  We got a late start this year due to the mortgage meltdown but with recent announcements by the Feds to lower the rates, I think that buyers are finally coming back to do business.  Our area is still being talked about as one the nations most vibrant markets.  A few weeks ago the financial reporter from the Today show Suze Orman let the rest of the country know that the Northwest market was not only healthy but the place to invest!  I would suggest that “healthy” may be a relative term but have noticed that although the September figures showed some of the lowest sales in the past 12 years, we are on slowly but surely, bouncing back.   What this means to a seller who has been sitting on the market for an extended period of time is that if you may need to look at a price adjustment to find your buyer.  They are out there but won't bother to look at overpriced listings.  Even prices that may have seemed fair a few months ago will be challenged by these buyers.  It's a delicate balance to price the house low enough to be attractive and still hold on to some dollars to negotiate with. I suggest that as a seller you look at the overall  increase of your equity over the past 5 - 7  years and realize that you may need to be willing to accept something lower than you would have a year ago.  Chance are you're still ahead in a very healthy way.