[This is a repost from November 22nd, 2006. The reasons are still valid for selling a home or condo during the winter months.]
Wow! You’d think, from anecdotal evidence, that no one sells or buys a home during the holidays. Obviously, that’s not the case; the housing market statistics show that homes do close during the months of December and January. There is a definite decrease in the number of homes that sell during the holidays. Just check out the statistics here.
For those folks thinking of selling their home and waiting for spring, here are eight good reasons to list your home for sale during the holidays:
Less Competition
Serious Buyers Shop During the Holidays
The Best Agents Continue to Work During the Holidays
Relocation Buyers Move This Time of Year
If it Does Not Sell During the Holidays, You are Ahead of the Others
Not Lost in The Spring Shuffle
Your Home Looks Great This Time of Year
Buyers are More Sensitive to Scheduling Appointments
For those folks from warmer climes, the Michigan real estate market does slow down in the winter time. A lot of it, I am sure, is due to the holidays. But the weather simply makes it difficult to get around at times. So showings become more…interesting.
11/23/06 Update: My friends over at MIOAKLANDCOUNTY have a similar post on questions they field from clients about having homes listed over the holidays. The money quotes:
….if your home is not on the market, they can’t buy it. Home buyers this time of year are serious.
This time of the year is a great time to have your home on the market. Just remember the basics. Have it well priced. Make sure it is in good condition. Know that you have a strong marketing plan in place to get the word out. And do what you can to make it accessible to potential buyers. With these things in place, you are more likely to have a quick sale, and you are not competing with all of the homes that will be on the market in the spring.
When I was driving into work this morning and thinking about a magazine I was reviewing on some of the most expensive homes in the world, when I drove by the most expensive home in Ann Arbor. Now sadly vacant for another year! It was occupied only seven times this year, and is under heavy renovation for the next couple of years. I know the renovations to this chunk of real estate are in excess of $235 million dollars. OK…OK so by now you’ve guessed what I am writing about “Michigan Stadium” If it was ”for Sale” I can’t imagine what it would sell for. But then I started thinking about the hunk of real estate to our south, nicknamed “the horseshoe” Having been there many times I won’t give you a dime for all of it. ”Go Blue”
This Sunday, November 23rd, from 2 to 4 pm, I will be holding 1007 Arborview, Ann Arbor, MI open. I will also be liveblogging the event.
If you haven’t seen a liveblog before, check out what I did for 4951 St Andrews, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108 last weekend. What this means to you, my dear reader, is that if you are in the area and would like to see this beautiful home, please stop by and say, “Hi!” If you are unable to attend in person, then check this blog any time after 2 pm on Sunday, November 23rd and see how things went!
Learn about the exclusive listing syndication system (LSS) that Team366 uses to generate massive exposure for our selling clients and why nearly 80% of our listings sell. Stop by for the chat, check out this gorgeous West Side home and leave with a coupon for Morgan & York.
Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon, eh? Beats watching the Lions!
[Team366 would like to welcome the newest member of our team to the blogosphere! Mr. Ken Collica has also decided to take a crack at this whole blogging thing. Drop Ken a comment and say 'Hi!']
Well, they say there is first time for everything! The advice from bloggers, especially from my fellow agents here at Team366 and Real Estate One, is that “it’s a piece of cake” and it will be easy for a former newspaper guy like you. My prior life as a marketing and advertising guy for The Ann Arbor News was about writing and fashioning ads that hopefully resulted in motivating buyers to jump into action. So I don’t know what to expect with this first post! Heck..maybe blogging is like mumbling to yourself and everybody hears you! So, it will be interesting to read your responses. When I first started reading posts, I thought to myself I bet all the shrinks are having a field day, just kidding!
