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Ways to Sell a Home during the Off Season
The winter months are usually considered the off season for real estate agents and for buying and selling homes. This is mostly due to the weather conditions not being favorable for showing a home to possible buyers. There is snow or ice or it is really cold and not many people like to look at homes during this time. The holidays also leave people with less money so they are less likely to buy a home. However, there are some ways to help get a home sold during this off season. Here are some tips to help get you started.
Ask a Syracuse real estate agent for advice
Even though this season is slow, it does not mean that real estate agents stop working. They are still available to help you sell your home and to offer advice for better ways to do so. They are an excellent resource.
Leave lights on
During the winter it gets dark earlier and possible buyers do not want to look at homes when it is dark. If you put your lights on a timer or leave some lights on, it will make buyers more interested in looking at your home.
Make the place appear bigger
If you have large furniture or other items that may crowd a room, it may be a good idea to move these items outside or to put them into storage while your home is on the market. This will make your house appear bigger and more spacious and more appealing to buyers.
Work on outside appeal
Make the outside more appealing and safe for everyone. Make sure the sidewalks and walkways are clear of any snow, ice, or rain. It may also be a good idea to paint the outside of the home if it needs touch ups or buy plants that do well during the winter to make the outside more appealing for buyers.
Be flexible
During the off-season and especially in this economy, it is a buyer’s market. They are going to try to make deals with you to get the best price possible. It is important to be flexible and talk with your real estate agent about things you are willing to be flexible about.
During the off-season and given the housing market right now, many sellers think they have no chance of selling their home. However, following these tips and advice can help make a difference and help get your home sold. This way you can rest easier and focus more on a happier future.
Views: 42Smart Off-Season Tips for Buyers
Everyone’s been saying “Now’s the time to buy,” for quite a while, but for many who’ve been waiting on the sidelines, the autumn “off-season” of real estate may indeed be the right time to act.
“Anybody who is trying to sell a house going into the winter months has to be flexible, and you should be able to get good deals,” says Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance. With mortgage rates at record lows and favorable home prices, buyers should be active.
Here are some tips for buyers to help ensure a successful close:
- Secure Employment: Buyers must have a stable job in order to feel comfortable about the purchase and to get approved for a mortgage.
- Spotless Credit: Credit scores above 720 still get the best mortgage rates, as lending remains tight. Help buyers to correct any errors on their credit reports.
- Build Cash: Let house hunters know that the days of no-down-payment loans are a relic of the past. Depending on the situation, they’ll need to put down at least 3.5 percent of the purchase price.
- Follow Uncle Sam: Though the first-time home buyer tax credit is set to expire November 30th, there’s talk it may be extended into 2010. Buyers may still be able to take advantage of this opportunity, but pay attention to the news out of Washington to see if eligibility will be extended.
- Be Ready to Bargain: Purchasers are in a position to ask for a lot more if a seller needs to move. If you think the floor needs to be replaced, ask for it. “In my market, buyers still have a great deal of influence and sellers will do just about anything, assuming it is doable and legal,” says NAR First Vice President Ron Phipps, a broker with Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I.
Source: U.S. News & World Report, Luke Mullins (10/14/09)
Views: 21