Ahh...
The verdant hillsides, 70 degree temperatures, buyers calling me up and wanting to see homes... it must be spring!
However, even I am surprised with the suddenness of the uptick in activity. In the last 5 days I have been contacted by 3 of my buyers, showed several homes to one, nearly wrote an offer only to have the desired property go into escrow, scheduled showings for another client for next weekend, and had a third client contact me with serious questions about a property they want to see.
Now sellers, don't go getting all excited. Yes, it's spring and there's more activity, but be advised that there will also be an increase in inventory (your competition!) as well. This is still a very good time to stay put and only sell your home if you absolutely have to. Only the best priced homes, in the best condition and location, are going to attract the attention of buyers. However, if you keep your home in top showing form at all times, AND you are aggressive with your pricing, you may just see multiple offer situations.
Buyers.... what does this mean for you? Simply, it's time to get off the fence! We're only two weeks into the year and already I've had a buyer lose out on a home he really liked because he didn't get in ahead of another buyer. Yes, there are a lot of homes to choose from, but there are more buyers actively looking now, too. Remember, if it looks like a good deal to you, it looks like a good deal to everyone else as well! Sleepytime is over. As we continue on into the spring, buyer activity is going to continue to increase, so NOW is the time to get in there and find your home, before someone else does! It also means you need to be prepared to act once you find that "right" home for you. So get on the phone with your lender TODAY, and get yourself pre-approved (not merely pre-qualified, which means bupkis under current lending conditions). That way you know exactly how much home you can afford and have a lender standing by ready to issue you a pre-approval letter to accompany any offer you may write. If you don't talk to a lender before you find the home of your dreams, that delay may cost you the chance at that home.
Don't wait to go see those homes that interest you, every day you wait is a day that someone else could walk in and write an offer.
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