Golden Realty Blog

Did you know that it is a big myth that that houses do not sell during the winter months? Sellers who wait until spring to list their homes become another property on the market to choose from. Let’s highlight a few reasons why we encourage sellers to list their homes or keep them on the market through the Holidays and the winter months, and not wait until spring.

There are statistically fewer homes on the market than there will be in spring. This means that a home for sale now is one of a few rather than one of many. Having your home listed in the winter means there is less competition, so you will stand out and chances are, sell your home during this period rather than waiting three months into spring and maybe summer.

During the winter months many buyers that have not purchased in the previous months do not stop looking. The buyers are still out there and they are ready to buy.

Typically buyers that are out shopping for houses in the winter months are motivated. If you do not have your home on the market when these buyers are looking, you are losing a valuable opportunity and the potential to get your home sold.

If you are a homeowner who is thinking about selling in the spring, think again. Don’t miss this winter window of opportunity to get your home sold.

What the heck are you waiting for? You know you want to buy a home, you know you want a great deal, you know you have been qualified for a loan and or have been saving for a down payment. But what is the problem?

Maybe you are waiting for the “bottom” to get the best bargain possible? - You never know when it’s the bottom until we start climbing back up.

Maybe you are waiting for interest rates to drop? - Did you know 30 year fixed rates just went up by nearly half a percent last week?

Maybe you are waiting for the perfect home to appear? - There is no perfect home until you move in and make it your own.

We are in a market where Buyers have the upper hand. There is money in the mortgage markets that banks and lenders are eager to lend. There are sellers who are motivated to sell now, and there are sellers who want to move up or downsize which means they also want to buy now, and there are many homes on the market offering a broad range of choices. Historically the best real estate bargains almost always happen during a buyer’s market. So I ask the rhetorical question again…What are you waiting for?

Happy New Year! Is it still okay to say that, after all, we are now over half way through the first month of ‘09? We think so. And that is why we are wishing everyone a Devine 2009. It never hurts to continue to spread happy well wishes, cheer and joy, as it is indeed contagious.

No doubt a lingering question in the minds of many people is “What will happen to the housing market in 2009?” Every where you turn there is someone giving an opinion about what will happen, when it will happen and what will happen if it doesn’t happen. As real estate professionals and consumers this can be very frustrating and confusing. It is important to realize the source of the information and how it applies to your own personal situation.

Here is some Golden advice…Don’t let the media become like the tabloids and fill your mind with false or misleading information about the housing market. The job of the Press is to create interesting stories, but they do not necessarily understand the complex statistics relating to housing markets, especially as it relates to YOU.

Here’s to making it Devine in 2009!