The mountain tops are white again. Temperatures are also predicted to drop making it seem like autumn is giving way to winter in the region. Is the myth that the real estate market goes dormant like our lawns until Spring true?
Just as the mountains can be more of a psychological than physical barrier to travel in adverse conditions of snow or heavy tourist traffic, so can the changes of the seasons be a psychological barrier to Seller's perception of Buyer activity. The old days of moving your family in the summer when school is out are long gone. Life moves too fast for that. If you have a job transfer opportunity it is usually available immediately, not next summer. You may choose to move your family later to finish a school year, but we see families renting, or moving in with friends or families rather than forestall the sale of their home and move of the primary income provider.
If you are thinking of selling start by assessing your situation: Why do you want to sell? Do you have to sell? Do you have to move? How soon do you want to be sold and closed? Do you have to be somewhere? Are you looking to move up in the market? Move down? Are you behind in payments or struggling to make your payments? Whatever your reason, if you want to sell there is no reason not to be offered for sale right now. We are in a seller’s market.
Many business successes are achieved by going in the opposite direction of the majority. If most people are waiting until Spring to list their home and Buyers continue to want to buy houses, you are much better off being available when the Buyer wants to buy rather than when Sellers think Buyers want to buy. Another big advantage to being on the market in the "off season" is to achieve separation in the market. When the glut of Spring inventory hits there is a lot of competition. Achieve separation in the market by being on the market.
If you don't want showings during the inclement weather to protect your floor covering consider having shoe covers available. If you don't want to move in the winter consider a lease back situation that will give you time to experience a break in the weather. There are many more circumstantial situations you can create, but be sure you are true to yourself in evaluating their relative importance to you. Do you want to be sold and moved with a little moving stress, or waiting for the perfect situation and not have a Buyer to help you affect it?
My Advice: Just as extreme heat in the summer slows the impulse looker, so do snow flurries in the winter. It doesn't stop the serious Buyer, however, and many homes are sold through the course of a winter. I love showing property in the snow because I know the Buyer is serious. Casual Buyers don't usually forego their creature comforts to look at property in challenging weather circumstances. Buyers in Northern Nevada are active year round. We may have more "bodies" through in the summer months, but there are more true Buyers per prospect in the winter. Be available and let them in and be sold before your neighbor is even listed.
There is no perfect timing in our industry other than what happens when a Buyer and Seller come together, whenever that may be. Control your circumstances and make sure that you are correctly priced, looking good, and ready for that Buyer that is looking to buy your home. You can't catch a fish with your hook in the boat. You can't catch a Buyer if you aren't on the market. When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs... Experience is Priceless! I offer a multi-media marketing plan with Television, Newspaper, and Internet. Your referrals are appreciated!
Kevin 775.813.2387
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