Timing is everything as they say and that’s especially true in real estate. You list your house in February and you will miss some buyers either because you are too late to the party or too early. But the same is true whether you list in January or April as well. Predicting the right time can be tough. You can list right after interest rates are lowered and get twice the interest in your property.
Or, you can list right after interest rates go up and lose any potential interest you were going to get. Yes, the majority of selling your home is out of your hands. However, there are times of the year where it’s smart to list, even if you do not get an immediate offer.
Advantages To Selling In February
Listing your property in the month of February is not a bad idea. Buyers are not going to be as aggressive in December and January and many sellers will not list at that time either. February is when you get buyers who are ready to get back in the swing and really start doing some house hunting.
Keep in mind, there are two types of buyers out there. Those who want to buy the property for themselves and those who want to move it fast as an investment. Even if their plan is to hold onto it for years and rent it out, investors will still try to get the best possible deal and often do not care as much about the quality of the property.
Personal buyers on the other hand will be more focused on the condition of the property. For many, it will be more cost-effective to pay more for a home that doesn’t need work than to buy a cheaper property that does. Why is that? The cost of construction would not be an option for them as they are maxed out in debt after the purchase of the home. This is why fixing up your property is also a good idea.
Are You Ready To Sell?
The smartest way to determine if you are ready to sell is to have your realtor literally walk through your property and give their opinion. If you want to sell it right now, that’s fine but it could mean being more flexible on the asking price. Investors will make offers fast, but they will often be lower than what you wanted.
If you want to maximize your potential return, delaying your listing to make needed upgrades may be the best way to go. Consider that and what the time and costs would be for those upgrades. These improvements, even the small ones, can not only get you a better offer on the property, but help you to close faster.
