So many sellers will be waiting until they see the signs of spring( which could be as late as May in Cleveland) before they put their homes on the market for what they think is the Spring selling season. NOT A GOOD MOVE!
Buyers who want to move in JUNE, shortly after schools let out, are hitting the pavement now traveling to Open Houses and calling on properties. Those buyers will need time to sell their homes and if they find a home they LOVE ( which is becoming an enigma these days--buyers now more than ever are looking for investments that are priced below market value more than they are looking for DREAM HOUSES) they will write DELAYED escrows on those properties to secure that they have a home and neighborhood to move into this summer( ie June 10). They won't be waiting until JUNE to make that decision to buy......they will make that decision much earlier like March or April......so if you are NOT on the market, you may have missed your buyer!
Sellers used to be afraid to put their homes on the market because they thought their home would sell too quickly and they would not have enough time to find a home to move to! Those days are gone! Even if you think your home is price right(? whatever that means in today's crazy market!) you may still need a price adjustment along the way. If the average home in the suburbs is taking 90-120+ days to get a contract.........you're talking about May to get a contract! If you are going to dawdle around with pricing to SHOW rather than pricing to SELL, getting a contract (offer) may take even longer!
Sellers can't be waiting for the beer truck to have a break down in front of their homes anymore.....when that buyer sees your home in tip top condition, oozing with curb appeal and priced fairly.......the wife is going to scream STOP THE CAR! and that's another reason if you should swing into action now you will be ahead of the game.
Other sellers will be waiting for warmer weather to clean their garages, clean up their yards, paint rooms and start packing boxes.
Now is your chance to set a 2 week time limit and get as many of those jobs done as you possible can while those other guys are sitting by the fire waiting for the snow to stop!
If you are serious about making a move this year, why not start those projects now so that you can be on the market March first.
Hopefully, if you've been thinking that this is the year, you've already started the project. Stop getting ready to get ready and get it done!
The buyers are listening to all kinds of media hype but what you should be listening to is the facts:
1. a drop in interest rates can stimulate the market but 2. homes that are selling are either dirt cheap or 3. SHOW LIKE MODEL HOMES AND ARE PRICED RIGHT.
Every week I get a call from some non profit organization who would like to pick up clothing and household items...you must be getting those calls too! Get rid of everything you don't intend to move. Have boxes stacked up neatly in a corner of the garage or basement with things you plan to sell at the very first opportunity to have a garage sale ( by the way those garage sale stalkers may know someone who could be interested in your home!). Move cumbersome furniture to a storage to make rooms appear larger than they are and also make it easier to paint and clean!
Spit shine every thing. Nothing impresses buyers more than clean uncluttered homes! Keep the warmth but get rid of the "we live here look"
If you are serious about selling, call three Realtors in your area and ask them to come preview your home. Take notes........they will probably be offering you great advice in hopes of getting your listing. Once you get three price opinions, DO NOT BANK ON THE REALTOR WHO AGREES WITH YOU!!! Weigh all the information carefully and then decide who you think you can work with, setting the price will be easy once you have heard from a number of sources. Check out those free websites......Zillow, cyberhomes, county records for your street, do your homework. Your realtor will help you sort out fact from fiction.
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