By Vicki Aubry, Realtor, ABR, SRES, Prudential Prime Properties
I know you can's tell by the weather outside, but SPRING MARKET is here! A recent Sunday, in blizzard conditions, I held an open house at a new listing of mine and 12 families and four agents braved the miserable weather just to see the latest listing in a popular neighborhood! I ended up with multiple offers.
Smart sellers who finally “get it” have gotten past longing for a sale at a price they will never see and realize there is an advantage to be made up when they become the buyers, but they will do better early in the season with the inventory deficit we now face in many towns and price ranges.
The sellers” best negotiating tool is a home that is truly in move in condition. To be clear, when I say that buyers expect the whole package, I mean it, with an updated home in neutral colors with the “now” items, such as new cabinetry, granite counters, hardwood floors, new neutral tile, fresh paint, trim work and stainless steel appliances, being the most popular. Energy efficient items, such as new windows, furnace and air conditioning, are important, too.
What do these blizzard buster buyers know that others don's?
They have realized that NOW is the time to buy?.yes, we have said it before, but buyers that have tried to “time” the market have missed it and? it seems a sellers” market is returning as multiple offers are again becoming routine.
Rates are in the low 3% range and, yes, you can get a mortgage assuming your credit is good and your debt load is line.
This year, it may well be that the early bird will get the worm! Will you be ready?
If you are a seller, give me a call quickly before you spend any money – as there is not as much time as you think to make the necessary arrangements to get your home on the market! As you know, timing is everything!
It may not be as daunting a job as you think – a little paint in the right colors and carpeting or shining up hardwoods may just be the ticket and with a little staging to maximize your space and a deep cleaning you could be ready in no time! I am here to help!
And buyers, how will you really know that the homes you are seeing at open houses are great values? And, it might be that the best homes never hold open houses – they don's have to! You will need a buyer's agent to work for you on your side of the transaction, to get you in as soon as new listings go on the market, to do a market analysis on a home you are interested in to be sure it really is the value you think it might be, and to help you negotiate effectively for the best price and terms possible. And, don's forget the home inspection and getting through the mortgage process – now more complicated, but well worth the end result!
Call me now for a home buyer consultation! Don's miss this opportunity! Be the early bird that gets the worm!
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