Real Estate Seasons

It is that time of year when many of you may be wondering whether it is a good time to sell your house or not. Spring has sprung, so to speak, and your imagination has come out of hibernation to sprout images of you exploring a larger, rambling house or maybe downsizing to a more manageable one-level home. Before you can realize your relocation dreams, though, you have to first sell the home that you're in.

The economists on television keep harping about the market and how it is so depressed and hard on sellers. The message is dreadful: Don't sell unless you want to lose your shirt in the process! In reality, the outlook really isn't all that gloomy...even if you aren't a pathological optimist.

True, the values of homes are not at the same level they were a few years ago; but chances are that the home you are looking to buy isn't going to carry as hefty a price tag as it would have during the real estate boom either. Buyers aren't as plentiful as they were a few years back, and they are a bit more selective in their home search. The good news is that this will bode well for your in your quest for your new home, as it eliminates some competition...and it can also be very valuable when the right buyer comes along for your home.

A discriminating buyer interested in scooping up your home will most likely have looked at several other homes already, will be pre-approved for financing, and will be committed to actually buying a home. There are far fewer tire-kickers browsing through the various houses now than in a less challenging market, so the showings that you do have will be more likely to produce a real offer.

In addition to timing of the market, the spring season is also advantageous for selling your home and buying a new one. The arrival of better weather will increase the traffic through your home, while still giving you plenty of time to search for your new home before snow flies. The green grass, budding flowers, and plentiful sunshine will highlight your homes best features, and will also allow you to see the entire landscape of a home you want to buy. So call a great real estate agent (like me!), and take the first steps toward swapping your house for the one you really want!