I often get asked, “When is the BEST time to sell my home?” To me, that question is a bit like asking, “When should I start raising a family?  The answer is, “When you are ready!”  Sellers have all kind of reasons for selling, and these can occur throughout the Year!

Most people choose to list and buy in the Spring. This is borne out in our Edmonton and Sherwood Park Real Estate data, where year after year, the peak of inventory AND the peak of Purchases occur during the third week of May.  OK, so that is what the majority of people do – the grass is green, the flowers are blooming, and summer is on its way. But does that mean Fall is NOT a good time to sell? The answer is a resounding, “No”, for the following reasons:

Less Inventory to Compete With! If the majority are listing in the Spring, that means at that time you are competing with more homes to get the attention of interested Buyers. If you list in the Fall, you have less competition as a Seller, which is good!

Low Interest Rates. Interest rates are still very low, and that could change next year in the Spring /Summer market, making your home less affordable for certain Buyers.

Less volatile time. Because the market is less busy in the Fall, it may be easier to predict the value of your home.

Great time for Move-Up Buyers. Say you want to move to a bigger, more expensive house, but you are thinking that you will get 2% more money for your house next Spring. That also means you will be paying 2% for the house you will be buying at that time as well, as the market does not discriminate!  You will gain LESS in the sale than you will be paying out on your purchase. If you are downsizing, it might make more sense to sell in the Spring. It’s really  all about what you net,  after all!

Buyers in the Fall are Serious! No fooling around! If they need to buy, chances are they aren’t kicking tires. They typically want to move in and get settled before Christmas, and preferably before it gets really cold if they can help it!  Serious buyers mean serious offers. That, combined with less inventory, means a better offer for you, the Seller!

If you ARE considering putting your home on the market soon, please contact me for a no-obligation market evaluation that determines the value of your home. I can also help you if you are thinking of Buying in the Sherwood Park and Edmonton region. What are you waiting for, Christmas? 🙂

Thinking of Selling Your Home in Sherwood Park or Edmonton?  Wondering if You Should List Your Home in the Fall?

Most Sellers feel that the best time to sell a property is in the Spring, when the snow has passed and everything is fresh and green. Note that I said “Most”.  If the majority of Sellers are listing in the Spring, shouldn’t you do the opposite to make your home truly stand out?

While Spring is the most popular time to list and sell a property, here are some reasons why Fall is a GREAT time to List:

• Less Competition from Other Sellers. Typically at this time of year, there are fewer listings, which means that as a Seller, you have less properties to compete with. This is very desirable for a Seller, as opposed to listing in the Spring when there are many more properties on the Market.

• Buyers Get a Chance to See Your Home BEFORE the Snow Flies. Very often, the Buyers need to see the front and back yards of a property before it is covered in mountains of snow! The Fall colors are beautiful, and it is a good time to post these pictures on your listing before Winter begins.

• Home Buyers are Still in the Mood to Buy in the Fall. Many Buyers, particularly families, want to move and settle in before the crazy Christmas and holiday season begins. It is also important to remember that there are Buyers at ALL times of the year, due to circumstance, job transfer, etc.

• Houses are Still Selling Rapidly in the Fall Season. That is, if you price your property correctly. At this time of year, it is essential to price your home at or slightly above Market Value. In spite of the lower inventory, Buyers also want value, and if you want TOP DOLLAR for your home, you need to offer the BEST HOME for the BEST PRICE in your geographic area.

Contact me for a Free Market Evaluation to see what your Sherwood Park and Edmonton home could sell for in today’s market!