Top Secrets for Selling Your House Fast in Today’s Market
Watching your house sit on the market with no interest is beyond frustrating. Unfortunately, that’s a reality some homeowners are facing. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right strategy, you can still sell your home quickly—even in a challenging market.
Why Some Homes Linger on the Market
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes are spending more time on the market compared to a few years ago. A recent report from Realtor.com highlighted that during the week ending Sept. 14, homes stayed on the market eight days longer than the same period last year. With more inventory and fluctuating mortgage rates, buyers are taking their time, causing some sellers to wait longer than expected.
The good news? There’s a way to break the cycle. The secret to selling your home quickly in any market is partnering with the right real estate agent who knows how to position your home to attract the right buyers.
Why Your Agent Matters
Many sellers miss this critical step—choosing the best agent who can help your home stand out. It’s not just about listing your property but understanding the current market trends, buyer behavior, and having a strategy tailored to sell your home fast.
Proven Tips to Sell Your House Quickly
Here are three essential strategies your agent should use to help you get your house off the market in no time:
1. Price It Right from Day One
Pricing your home correctly is a game-changer. Overpricing can scare away potential buyers and lead to your house sitting on the market longer than it should. A knowledgeable real estate agent will perform a thorough market analysis of recent sales and current listings to set a competitive price that attracts buyers. As U.S. News explains:
“Setting an unrealistically high price with the idea that you can come down later doesn’t work in real estate. A home that’s overpriced in the beginning tends to stay on the market longer, even after the price is cut, because buyers think there must be something wrong with it.”
2. Optimize Your Home’s Condition
First impressions matter, and your home’s condition is a major selling point. Buyers are more likely to show interest if your home is well-maintained, has great curb appeal, and features modern updates. Before listing, work with your agent to decide if staging is worthwhile and which repairs or upgrades are essential. Addressing these issues upfront can significantly reduce time on the market. As Ramsey Solutions advises:
“Take care of things now that will be a problem in the closing process. Talk to your agent about fixes you’ll need to make to pass the home inspection, like plumbing problems, roof damage, electrical issues, and HVAC glitches.”
3. Offer Buyer Incentives
In a competitive market, standing out is crucial. Consider offering incentives or concessions like covering part of the closing costs, providing a home warranty, or including appliances and furniture in the sale. Your agent can guide you on which incentives will resonate most with today’s buyers and help you secure a faster sale.
Why Local Expertise Is Key
Selling a home quickly in a shifting market requires a strategic approach and an in-depth understanding of local conditions. That’s why it’s crucial to partner with a local real estate expert who has a track record of success. As Forbes puts it:
“When time is of the essence, you can’t afford to take a chance on an inexperienced housing professional. Instead, work with a real estate agent who knows your market and has helped sellers in your situation before.”
Ready to Sell Fast?
If you want to sell your house quickly, working with a seasoned agent who knows how to navigate the current market is the key. Contact us today, and let’s make sure you’re set up for success from day one!
What’s Going on with Home Prices? Ask a Professional.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home next year, you may have questions about what’s happening with home prices today as the market cools. In the simplest sense, nationally, experts don’t expect prices to come crashing down, but the level of home price moderation will depend on factors like supply and demand in each local market.
That means, moving forward, home price appreciation will continue to vary by location, with more significant changes happening in overheated areas. Here’s a quick snapshot of what the experts are saying:
Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, says:
“The major question on the minds of homeowners and aspiring buyers alike is what will happen to home prices. . . Soaring prices were propelled by all-time low mortgage rates which are a thing of the past. As a result, home price growth is expected to continue slowing, dipping below its pre-pandemic average to 5.4% for 2023, as a whole.”
Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says:
“House price appreciation has slowed in all 50 markets we track, but the deceleration is generally more dramatic in areas that experienced the strongest peak appreciation rates.”
Taylor Marr, Deputy Chief Economist at Redfin, says:
“For those bearish folks eagerly awaiting the home price crash, you’ll have to keep waiting. As much as demand is pulling back supply is as well reducing downward pressure on prices in the short run.”
John Paulson, Founder of Paulson & Co., says:
“It’s true – housing may be a little frothy. So housing prices may come down or they may plateau . . .”
What Does This Mean for You?
The best way to get the answers you need is to lean on a local real estate advisor. Contact me today to find out what is going on in Southwest Louisiana!
Wish List
In Each year, homeowners planning to make a move are faced with a decision: sell their house during the holidays or wait. And others who have already listed their homes may think about removing their listings and waiting until the new year to go back on the market.
The truth is many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. Here are five great reasons you shouldn’t wait to sell your house.
1. While the supply of homes for sale has increased this year, there still aren’t enough homes on the market to keep up with buyer demand. As Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist & Director of Forecasting at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:
“There’s still this gap between demand and supply because we were underbuilding for many years. . . . So now we see demand is slowing, but it still outpaces supply.”
2. Serious homebuyers are out looking right now. Millennials are driving homebuying demand today, and many are eager to make a purchase. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains:
“While not the frenzy of 2021, the largest living generation, the Millennials, will continue to age into their prime home-buying years, creating a demographic tailwind for the housing market.”
3. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. In fact, homes decorated for the holidays appeal to many buyers. Plus, purchasers who look for homes during the holidays are ready to buy.
4. You can restrict the showings in your house to days and times that are most convenient for you. That can help you minimize disruptions, which is especially important this time of year.
5. Rents have skyrocketed in recent years. And, many buyers are looking to escape rising rents and avoid falling into the rental trap for another year. As an article from Zillow says:
“Over the next 12 months, rents are expected to grow more than inflation, the stock market and home values.”
Your home could be their ticket to leaving renting behind for good.
Bottom Line
There are still many reasons it makes sense to list your house during the holiday season. Let’s connect to determine if selling now is your best move!
3 Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity
If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years as home prices skyrocketed and you made your monthly mortgage payments. Home equity builds over time and can help you achieve certain goals. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the average borrower with a home loan has almost $300,000 in equity right now.
As you weigh your options, especially in the face of inflation and talk of a recession, it’s important to understand your assets and how you can leverage them. A real estate professional is the best resource to help you understand how much home equity you have and advise you on some of the ways you can use it. Here are a few examples.
1. Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs
If you no longer have the space you need, it might be time to move into a larger home. Or it’s possible you have too much space and need something smaller. No matter the situation, consider using your equity to power a move into a home that fits your changing lifestyle.
If you want to upgrade your house, you can put your equity toward a down payment on the home of your dreams. And if you’re planning to downsize, you may be surprised that your equity may cover some, if not all, of the cost of your next home. A real estate advisor can help you figure out how much equity you have and how you can use it toward the purchase of your next home.
2. Reinvest in Your Current House
According to a recent survey from Point, 39% of homeowners would invest in home improvement projects if they chose to access their equity. This is a great option if you want to change some things about your living space but you aren’t ready to make a move just yet.
Home improvement projects allow you to customize your home to suit your needs and sense of style. Just remember to think ahead with any updates you make, as some renovations add more value to your home and are more likely to appeal to future buyers than others. For example, a report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows refinishing or replacing wood flooring has a high cost recovery. Lean on a local professional for the best advice on which projects to invest in to get the greatest return on your investment when you sell.
3. Pursue Your Personal Goals
In addition to making a move or updating your house, home equity can also help you achieve the life goals you’ve dreamed of. That could mean investing in a new business venture, retiring, or downsizing, or funding an education. While you shouldn’t use your equity for unnecessary spending, leveraging it to start a business or putting it toward education costs can help you achieve other lifelong goals.
Bottom Line
Your equity can be a game changer. If you’re unsure how much equity you have in your home, let’s connect so you can start planning your next move.