Spring and summer are ideal times to sell a home. Sellers are selling and buyers are ready to buy. In other seasons? They’re reviled.
To get you started, we’ll show you why listing in the fall or winter may be smart. Let’s bust some myths about selling in the fall and why now may be a perfect time.
Myth 1: Spring Is Best For Selling
Let’s start here. Homeowners often think spring is the best time to sell. Why wouldn’t you list in the spring if you’ll get top dollar, sell quickly, and have no problems?
(1) Just because you list in the spring doesn’t mean your home will sell easily, and
(2) there are many other factors that affect home sales.
A good agent can help you navigate the market and reach your selling goals at any time of year.
Consider these factors to determine if now is the right time to sell your home:
- Prepared. If you’ve prepared your home and family, sell it! You should have a well-kept home and be emotionally ready. Selling your childhood home can be difficult, so be prepared.
- Data Say It’s Time. Certain times of the year see a market boom. Although spring is the most popular time to buy a home, don’t rule out listing in the fall. Instead, watch other market indicators.
Myth 2: Buyers Aren’t Looking In The Fall
Many sellers think buyers stop looking for homes after summer, but this isn’t true. Families with school-aged children may put off buying until the end of the year, but they’re a small portion of the market. As new listings slow, you may have an edge over summer buyers still looking for a home.
Myth 3: Your Home Will Sell For Less
Home sellers fear accepting lower offers in the fall, but the opposite is true. Smart sellers know how to use this knowledge.
Due to these myths, fewer sellers list their homes in the fall and winter, reducing supply. Fewer homes available means less competition among buyers. When housing demand is high and there are few homes on the market, those who list have the upper hand. High demand and low supply equal higher prices.
Myth 4: Homes On The Market Longer
The real reason homes sit on the market (no matter the season) is pricing, presentation, or inflexibility. When a home is on the market for a long time, it’s often for one of these reasons:
- It’s overpriced. Even in a seller’s market, homes have price limits. Pricing your home above market value will only cause you to lose potential buyers when supply is low.
- Listing photos are bad. Professional photos are vital in the digital age. Subpar photos will turn off buyers. Professional photos will make them want to see more.
Myth 5: Housing Market Slowing
Many sellers think the housing market slows at the end of August, but it’s still strong. You may be wondering if the housing market as a whole is falling. With low mortgage rates and a strong labor market, the fall market should be healthy.
If you’re thinking of sell your house fast in London, now might be the best time to do it. London is experiencing a housing market boom, so there are many people looking to buy homes. This means that there are more buyers than available homes, which is driving up the prices. If you sell your home now, you can get a high price for your property and still have some money left over.