Month: December 2016

5 Home Staging Tips for Wintertime

December 29, 2016

House with snow and wreath

While winter isn’t always considered the best time to sell your home there are many reasons it’s a great time!  Whether you live in an area with consistent snowfall all winter or in an area where unexpected weather could leave you snowed in it’s best to have a plan of action for showings in inclement weather.  If you currently have your home on the market here are a few tips to increase your appeal to potential buyers during the winter months.

1.Clear the Walkways

All areas of the yard should be accessible for buyers.  That means, not only do you need to a clear path to the front door but also to any outdoor areas the potential buyer may want to view.  This means sheds, patios, garages, and recreational areas.

2. Let There Be Light

Winter months can be dreary and dark but you don’t want your home to be!  Put your home in its best light by opening shades and draperies, as well as turning on all lights.

3.  Keep it Toasty

Keep your home warm and toasty by starting a fire in the fireplace (if it’s in good condition), or setting your thermostat a degree or two higher than usual.

4. Embrace the Holidays

While it’s customary to pack away personal belongings when staging a home to create a clean canvas for buyers the holiday season can be an exception.  Tasteful holiday decor can help create the warm, family feel you’re trying to achieve.  Lush wreaths, a tree with inviting white lights, and candles in the windows can invoke an emotional appeal.

5. Don’t Ignore the Outdoors

Your landscaping won’t look as good as it does in the spring, pots of evergreens can help add some color to your walkways and yard. Always make sure your gutters are cleaned and shrubs are trimmed, too.

If you have questions about the home selling process, contact your local HUFF real estate professional today!

Source:  www.rismedia.com

 

5 Reasons Why December is a Perfect Time to Sell a Home

December 6, 2016

Festive Christmas wreath decorated front door

Many people think the real estate market comes to a screeching halt in December, but it’s actually an excellent time to sell your home!

Here are 5 reasons to buy or sell a home during the holidays.

1. Serious Buyers:  Buyers who are house hunting during December are serious about finding a new home!  The amount of buyers looking during the holidays are lower, but those who are looking are ready and wanting to buy and they’re not messing around!

2. Low Supply:  There is a reduction in home inventory during the holiday season   which mean there is less competition.  When the new year rolls around the supply of homes will increase which means more competition, longer days on market and potentially less money for your home.

3. More time:  Although December can be a busy month full of holiday parties and shopping, it is also a time when buyers have less demanding work schedules. This gives a serious buyer time to look for a new home, especially if the buyers needs to find a new home in a short amount of time (see #5!)

4. Move in the Spring: Just because you sell in December doesn’t mean you need to pack up and move right away.  You can negotiate a longer closing period or an extended use and occupancy.

5. Capturing the Relocating Buyer: January is the beginning of a new year and new jobs in new cities for some.  When someone starts a new position out of state they need a home,  and they need it ASAP!  These buyers can’t wait until the spring market to buy, your house should be on the market to capture this unique buyer opportunity!

Buying a home is probably the most significant financial commitment you’ll ever make. Whether you’re a first time buyer or building your dream home, HUFF Realty will help you through the entire home buying experience!

 

 

 

 

Winter is coming: Time to highlight price improvements

December 1, 2016

winter

The fall shopping season is in full swing, but before you know it, the winter selling season will be here. With this in mind, many agents may start to think they’re in for a little bit of a lull, but that doesn’t have to be the case. New data confirms what many in the industry have long suspected: The best time to save on a home purchase is the late autumn and into winter, and that can help to facilitate more home sales even in these fallow months.

In nearly every major metro area of the U.S., home prices peak around June and July, and start to drop off once fall arrives, according to new research from NerdWallet. The average sales price fell nearly 3 percent in fall compared with summer, bringing more than $8,300 in savings to the average buyer. But the drops got even steeper in January and February, and agents can highlight this fact to buoy sales after the holiday season wraps up.

Why do some homebuyers wait?
In 48 of the 50 cities examined, sales prices hit their lowest point in January or February. The other two cities saw the lowest prices in March and April, still ahead of the traditional spring buying season. In general, the average savings available in the first two full months of winter was about 8.45 percent in comparison with summer highs, bringing even more savings to hopeful shoppers.

This fact means bargain hunters can get into the market when it’s not nearly as busy to potentially lock in a sterling deal. Agents who highlight this fact with concrete numbers may be in line to benefit most from the annual lull.

“I think there’s a certain amount of inertia that exists in the market because people have been told the best time to buy is when the most homes are on the market,” Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Realtor.com, told NerdWallet. “When, actually, depending on what your goals and objectives are, the actual reverse could be true.”

Why it’s wise to buy in winter
Many families choose to buy even when prices are high simply because of convenience, according to Trulia. Many families have kids in school during winter, and home shopping might not be easy for them to squeeze in. Further, with summer shoppers, sellers who want to pursue real estate sales often have a hopeful deadline of the start of school. As such, many homes see their prices marked down in fall and winter simply because they’ve often been on the market for a few months, and sellers’ agents often take this time to reevaluate their positions as owners become more eager to sell their properties.

These kinds of soft deadlines can exist for buyers in fall as well. Many may want to be all moved in for the holiday season. That fact is just another reason why waiting until winter to buy typically affords such steep price improvements.

Brought to you by HMS Home Warranty.  HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers.  To learn more click www.hmsnational.com.