Why You Should List Your House During The Holidays

I just read an interesting article about the marketability of homes during the holidays and thought I would share some insights on it.

Every year the real estate market starts to slow down as we enter in to fall.  Summer vacations are over, kids are back in school routines, and the holidays are with-in sight.  Homeowners who are thinking about selling decide to hold off until the new year, then make preparations to sell.  

And why should you list a property now?  Real eastate professionals will tell you point blank that its a bad time to sell.  I know many agents who basically take November and December off because of the percieved slowdown in the market. 

Not so fast!  I pulled some quick numbers directly from the MLS on the housing market here in Henry County.  I wanted to get a listings snapshot comparing the peak selling months of June through the end of August with the Fall season of September to today.  Here is what I learned.

Yes, its true, total number of properties sold is down 36% from the summer.  However, what I was surprised to see is that there is no change in average listing price or the average days on the market!  

What that tells me is that sellers that do decide to list now are still able to sell their homes, get the price they want, and do it all within a reasonable period of time!

The article I read cited these reasons why it is a good time to list:

1. Inventory is lower (as the data indicated).  Your home will stand out because there will be less to choose from.  Less supply, same demand-advantage seller.
2. Everybody who is waiting until the holidays are over will be listing at the same time creating a spike in inventory.  More supply, same demand-advantage buyer.
3. Buyers in th Fall tend to be more motivated.  I call tell you that from experience working with buyers right now.  They HAVE to move for one reason or another.
4. Decorated homes show better because they feel more like "home" rather than "just another house".
5. People tend to stay in more when the weather is cold and travel less causing a spike in online home searches (of course I would love to show you how my online marketing strategy is light years ahead of most agents around here).

Every day more active buyers hit my website as registered users which I convert to buyers actively looking for homes.  Again, my experience working with these folks shows me that they are ready to move on something.

Go to my websit and ask for a Free, No Obligation Home Evaluation.  I'll crunch some numbers on your home, give you a call, and discuss your options for listing now, or if you have to wait, in the future.