Tag: #zillow

Your Home Is On Someone’s Wish List

Those shopping in the winter are motivated — often moving because of a job relocation, a change in financial situation or family needs.

When the holidays roll around, travel plans, family gatherings, and all the chaos of the season may make you think it’s better to pull your listing off the market or to wait until 2026 to begin selling your house. But here’s the thing….

…waiting could mean missing out on a great window of opportunity. Because while other sellers are stepping away, you can lean in – and that might actually give you the edge. Here are four reasons why selling now could be a good bet. 

1. Buyers This Time of Year Are Serious

Don’t let the season fool you. While casual browsers tend to step back around the holidays, serious buyers stay in the game. The people looking for homes right now usually aren’t just browsing. They’re ready to make a move and they sometimes want to close before the new year. As Zillow says:

“While more buyers have tended to shop in the spring and summer months, those shopping in the winter are likely to be motivated — often moving because of a job relocation, change in financial situation, or change in family needs.”

Their timelines are real and missing them would create a hassle for the buyer, so they’re eager to get the deal done. And that’s exactly the kind of buyer you want to work with.

2. You Have Control Over Your Schedule (and Showings)

Some homeowners decide not to sell this time of year because they don’t want to juggle showings during the holiday rush. They’re anticipating traveling to see family and thinking about buyers in their home only adds another layer of complexity. 

But here’s what no one’s reminded them. You can control your showings and can set times that work for your schedule. You don’t have to stop your plans to keep your sale on track. We can help you manage your calendar, your showings, and your stress level.

3. Other Sellers May Step Back, Which Means Less Competition

Because fewer sellers tend to list this time of year, the number of homes for sale usually falls a bit. Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, explains:

“As we approach the end of the year, listing activity tends to slow and would-be sellers decide to wait until after the new year to list . . .”

And in a year when inventory has been steadily rising, that seasonal slowdown works in your favor. With the potential for fewer sellers, your house will stand out. So, a seasonal dip in listings could help you be noticed, especially if your home is priced right and presented well.

4. Homes Decorated for the Holidays Can Feel More Inviting

You may not realize it, but seasonal decor can actually help you appeal to buyers. Maybe it’s that they have an easier time picturing themselves making memories in the home. Maybe it just feels cozier and more inviting. Whatever the reason, it works. Sometimes tasteful seasonal touches can make it easier to sell your house.

But don’t go overboard. Keep your choices simple to let your home’s charm shine through.

Bottom Line

There are plenty of good reasons to put (or keep) your house on the market during this time of year.

If you want to talk strategy for how to make the most of this season, let’s connect. You can find us at 508-388-1994 or msennott@todayrealestate.com.

We’re here to help…

Hank’s first book of short stories– “Chances: Stories and Memories Real and Imagined” has been published. I’m hosting a Book Launch/Signing this Saturday from 3:00pm – 6:00pm at Holly Ridge Golf Course in Sandwich. If you can, please come and support Hank. (The invitation is below.)

If you can’t make it, “Chances” is available on Amazon, which describes the book as a: “heartfelt and richly woven collection of short stories and personal reflections that explore the fragile, funny, and deeply human moments that shape a life.”

Thanks.

Mari

Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.

Three Things You Risk by Pricing Too High

When selling your house, the price you choose isn’t just a number, it’s a strategy.

If you’ve been following the real estate market, you’ve no doubt noticed that there have been a lot of price changes lately. More than we’ve seen in a while.

Does that mean prices are falling? Not exactly. In many cases the seller priced their home too high to begin with.

When selling your house, the price you choose isn’t just a number, it’s a strategy.

The number of homes for sale is climbing. And that means buyers have more choices and can be more selective. If your price doesn’t line up with what else is out there, they’ll go right past it and go on to the next one.

Pricing right from the start is your best move – we can help make sure you do.

Overpricing Comes at a Cost

More sellers are finding that out the hard way. They list their house based on how things were a year ago – or based on a neighbor’s sale that happened under completely different circumstances. Maybe even what they “want.” Then, when their house doesn’t sell, they’re left with three tough choices:

  1. Drop the price: Cutting the price might help get more eyes on the house again, but it can also trigger red flags. Buyers may wonder what’s wrong with it. And that’s going to impact any offers you get after the price cut.
  2. Take it off the market: Some sellers give up on the idea of selling right now. The worst part about this is that it means putting their future plans on the back burner. That dream of more space, downsizing, or relocating? On pause.
  3. Rent it out: Others go the landlord route, but managing tenants and navigating leases isn’t always the simple fallback it seems. Renting can work, but being a landlord is often a lot more hassle than people expect.

None of those options were part of the original plan. And honestly, none of them are where you should end up if you wanted to sell. Here’s a look at how our expertise can help you avoid these headaches. Let’s use price cuts as an example.

location Makes a Difference

While the number of price cuts is up nationally, this map shows some parts of the country are seeing far more of them than others. It all comes down to how much inventory has grown in that area (see map below):

As Realtor.com explains:

“Regionally, price reductions in June were significantly more common in the South and West (23% of listings) than they were in the Northeast (13% of listings), reflecting the inventory divergence across these regions.”

In Massachusetts, 19% of listings had price reductions.

That means pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. And that’s why you shouldn’t try to determine your list price on your own.

We can Help You Nail the Price

We just don’t just toss out a number or tell you what you want to hear.

As Zillow says:

“Well-priced homes are more likely to sell quickly, but pricing your home to sell quickly and for maximum dollar requires strategy and knowledge of your local market. You need to have a clear-eyed view of your home in relation to the competition, and knowledge about whether you’re in a buyers or sellers market. It also helps to know what buyers in your area can afford.” 

And that’s all knowledge we have. We know the Cape Cod market, compare recent sales, and factor in your goals and buyer behavior. Based on what’s happening, sometimes the best play will be pricing right at current market value. Other times pricing a little lower actually will spark more offers and ultimately get you a better final sale price.

Bottom Line

Overpricing can lead to tough choices you never want to face. But with the right price, and the right guidance, you can skip the stress and sell with confidence. Let’s connect so you have a pricing strategy that works for today’s market and gets you where you want to go. You can always find us at 508-388-1994 or msennott@todayrealestate.com.

Mari and Hank

Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.

Tempted to Sell Your Home Yourself?

Selling your house without an agent as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) may be something you’ve considered. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who sold a home on their own and everything went “just fine.”

But did it really?

Did they leave money on the table? Agree to a concession that they didn’t need to? Spend too much on legal fees? When it was all over, how much money did they really save by not hiring a real estate professional to manage the sale??

You don’t hear much about any of that because maybe the “successful” seller doesn’t understand what they lost.

Here’s what you need to know. In today’s shifting market, more homeowners are deciding that it’s not worth the risk to go it alone.

According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the number of homeowners selling without professional assistance has hit an all-time low (see graph below):

And for the small number of homeowners who do decide to sell on their own, data shows they’re still not confident they’re making a good choice.

A recent survey finds three out of every four homeowners who don’t plan to use an agent have doubts about whether that’s actually the right decision.

And here’s why. The market is changing – not in a bad way, just in a way that requires a smarter, more strategic approach. And having a professional in your corner really pays off.

Here are just two of the ways our expertise makes a difference.

1. Getting the Price Right in a Market That’s Evolving

One of the biggest hurdles when selling a house on your own is figuring out the right price. It’s not as simple as picking a price that you want, sounds good, or is what your neighbor’s home sold for a few years back – you need to hit the bullseye for where the market is right now. Without professional to help, you’re more likely to miss. As Zillow explains:

“Agents are pros when it comes to pricing properties and have their finger on the pulse of your local market. They understand current buying trends and can provide insight into how your home compares to others for sale nearby.”

Basically, we know what’s really selling, what buyers are willing to pay today, and how to position your house to sell quickly. That kind of insight can have a big impact, especially in a market that’s balancing out.

2. Handling (and Actually Understanding) the Legal Documents

There’s also a mountain of documentation when selling a house, including everything from disclosures to seller and buyer contracts. A mistake can have big legal implications. This is another area where we can help.

We’ve handled these documents countless times and know exactly what’s needed to keep everything on track, so you avoid delays. And now that buyers are including more contingencies and asking for concessions again, we can guide you step by step, making sure everything is done right and documented correctly the first time.

Selling Your House Quickly in a Shifting Market

Even though inventory has grown, homes aren’t selling at quite the same pace as they were. But you can still sell quickly if you have a proven plan to help your house stand out.

Just remember, as a homeowner you don’t have the same network or marketing tools that we do. Selling a house is more than sticking a sign in the ground and putting a posting on Facebook.

We’ve sold over 400 homes.

So, if you want the process to happen in a timely manner, let’s connect at 508-388-1994 or msennott@todayrealestate.com.

Mari and Hank