Special offer

To List or NOT to list?!

By
Real Estate Agent with John Cooper Realty Team 01448884

There is one thing that I love doing and that’s helping sellers sell. I was recently speaking with one of my coaches, yes us Realtors have business coaches, about personality types and mine is one of service. The greatest compliment anyone can give me, is to hire me to help them sell their home. I would do it for free if I could but we all have to pay the mortgage. J

So back to my passion for selling. The question posed above is a great one and more so when I define the topic. To list now or wait until the spring. There are a few things that come into play with this question. First, are you ready to sell now and or do you have to sell now. That should answer any questions you have. The time at which you are ready to pull the trigger is your ultimate time frame. I spoke with people at the end of 2015 who were ready to sell and we made it happen. Did we receive multiple offers even in December? We sure did and the seller is more than elated to have his money in his pocket. When it comes to your timing, your life is what will dictate the sale.

The next question is, if you have time, do I wait a few months. I would say no. I might be going against the grain but hear me out. I noticed, in my area, that the market slowed down a bit in November and December. I don’t mean prices fell or anything, the market just slowed. Buyers slowed and listing slowed which is ok. Good homes still got top dollar. That means buyers held off a bit and we are now seeing a good push with buyers out looking. Projecting the markets is very tough and it’s almost a feeling you have to have on the market’s pulse. Most all indicators are lagging in time and don’t give you a good feel of the market.

Why do I say list now verses wait until March or April. The point is simple. The numbers that we see in March and April are closings that went pending in February and March. As you can see in the graphs below, there was a push in the price per square foot in those months. Even the “Closed” sales are lagging indicators of the market and what happened 30 days prior to the close. Not only are the numbers we have from January and February lagging indicators, it will usually take a homeowner a few weeks to get the home ready to sell. I would say, 9 homeowners out of 10 will not be 100% ready to have the home professionally photographed and listed on my fits appointment. Did I say “professionally photographed”, I sure did, If your agent is taking their own pictures, you should probably fir them. (I am not one to beat around the bush here) Agents are NOT photographers. Stay tuned on why photography say more than 1000 words about your home.

So in conclusion I am going to have to say that it’s better to list and or start the processes now, rather than waiting until April or May, by then you will be trying to catch the market instead of leading the charge of new and exciting listings. Don’t be a lagging indicator, be the pulse that gets the market going!

If you’re on the fence about selling at least get the ball rolling to learn how timing and marketing will save you 10’s of thousands. Contact me today. Text 916-709-3329,   Email Me Team@cooperrlty.com

Or our website www.Cooperrlty.com

 

 

Trend data for 2014 to 2015 and 2015 to current

 john cooper realty team sell now

 john cooper realty team sell price per foot

john cooper realty team trend 2014

 

 

Comments (4)

Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

Great information for your sellers to help them make up their mind.

 

Jan 19, 2016 09:46 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Thanks for the info, John.  It always seems like spring is a better time to try to sell - I guess after a long winter spring seems like the time for new beginnings.

Jan 19, 2016 09:49 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Hi John, welcome to AR and thanks for the follow.  I have owners that are saying they want to list their hoe in February to get house on the market before spring...a great idea. 

Jan 20, 2016 02:56 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

John excellent advice unfortunately not all sellers take good advice well:)), Endre

Jan 20, 2016 05:03 AM