7 Reasons to List Your House This Holiday Season

Around this time each year, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to list their houses. Similarly, others who already have their homes on the market remove their listings until the spring. Let’s unpack the top reasons why listing your house now or keeping it on the market this winter may be the best choice you can make.

Here are seven great reasons not to wait:

1. Relocation buyers are out there now. Many companies are still hiring throughout the holidays, and they need their new employees to start as soon as possible.
2. Purchasers who are looking for homes during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy now.
3. You can restrict the showings on your home to days and times that are most convenient for you. You will remain in control.
4. Homes show better when decorated for the holidays.
5. There is minimal competition for you as a seller right now. Over the past few months we’ve seen the supply of homes for sale decreasing year-over-year, as shown in the graph below:
6. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. Buyers who were unable to find their dream homes during the busy spring and summer months are still searching, and your home may be the answer.
7. Late fall and early winter make up the “sweet spot” for sellers. The supply of listings increases substantially after the holidays. Also, in many parts of the country, new construction will continue to surge and reach new heights in 2020, which will lessen the demand for your house next year.

Bottom Line 

It may make the most sense to list your home this holiday season. Reach out to a local real estate professional to determine if selling now is your best move.

Leslie Sells Houses

7 Reasons to List Your House This Holiday Season

The KCM Crew

We at The KCM Crew believe every family should feel confident when buying & selling a home. KCM helps real estate professionals reach these families & enables the agent to simply & effectively explain a complex housing market. Take a 14-Day Free Trial of our monthly membership to see how we can help you!

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7 Reasons to List Your House This Holiday Season

UNIVERSITY PLACE DEMOGRAPHICS 2019

Pierce County Demographic Information for, University Place, WA 

Population

2010 to 2012 Change up 2.1%

2010 Count 795,225

2012 Estimate 811,681

2010 Estimate 795,225

Age Distribution (Years Old)

0 to 4 6.9%

5 to 17 24.3%

18 to 64 57.0%

65 and Older 11.8%

Gender

Male 49.5%

Female 50.5%

Place of Birth

Foreign 9.6%

US 90.4%

Education

High School Graduate, Age 25+ 90.1%

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, Age 25+ 23.6%

Language

English is Second Language, Age 5+ 14.0%

English is First Language, Age 5+ 86.0%

Veterans

Veterans 88,178

Income

Per Capita Income $28,179

Median Household Income $58,824

People in Poverty 11.6%

Commute

Average Work Commute Time 29 minutes

Housing

Total Housing Units 327,228

Households 297,839

Average Household Size 2.59

Owner-Occupied 63.1%

Multi-Family 24.3%

Owner-Occupied Median Value $265,200

Building Permits

New Private Housing Issued 2012 2,479

Years at Residence

1 Year or More 80.8%

Less Than 1 Year 19.2%

Business and Employment

Private non-farm Establishments 16,370

Private non-farm Employment 220,454

Private non-farm Employment Growth down 1.4%

Nonemployer Establishments 38,753

Number of Firms 53,296

Business Production

Value of Shipments $4,958,643,000

Wholesale Trade $6,090,535,000

Retail Trade $9,741,617,000

Accommodation and Food Services $12,585

Sales Per Capita $1,172,468,000

Land

Land Area 1,669.51 sq. miles

Population Per Square Mile 477

Source: US Census Bureau

Leslie Sells Houses

First-Time Home Seller – 6 Tips For Selling Your First Home

Selling your home can be tough. Just about everyone will have strong emotions associated with a very first home – and these can make it harder to sell.

That’s not just because you might be tempted to procrastinate. How we feel about a home can create a challenge: Putting the wrong price on it.

It’s easy to overprice a property because of its sentimental value. Luckily, a local real estate expert can help. By researching recently-sold homes in the area, he or she can price any property to attract buyers.

Although pricing is best left to the professionals, there are many things you can do to help in selling your home faster. With these tips, you’ll make it much more likely to connect with the right buyer and get to closing without a hitch:

1. Decide on the Best Timing
   Timing is the second-biggest factor in selling your home, right behind price. Timing should strike a balance between meeting your needs and taking advantage of the home market’s busiest seasons. Research has shown listings in early April tend to over-perform others in both time-to-sale and final price. Both spring and summer offer some great opportunities.
2. Work on Any Crucial Repairs
   Necessary repair work is another factor that influences timing. Virtually all today’s buyers will insist on a complete home inspection that discloses all issues in need of repair – and some insurers even require it. Problems that tend to spook buyers include electrical faults, sewer and septic, roofing near the end of its functional life, and signs of pest infestation. Especially termites!
3. Stage Your Home
   Staging is an essential part of selling any home. You should plan to clean the house thoroughly and de-clutter. Removing large furniture items and clearing your closets makes a home look more open and airy. It’s also a good idea to improve lighting: Use brighter bulbs and maximize natural light by removing any heavy window coverings. Your agent will have other suggestions, too.
4. Get Professional Photos Done
   Photos are an essential piece in promoting any home. Would-be buyers want to see the whole property at its best. That means both interior and exterior images taken by an experienced photographer. The cameras used by professionals provide crisp, clear, vibrant photos that no cell phone can match. These will help your online home listing to stand out from the crowd.
5. Get Ready for Open House
   An open house is the best way to attract buyers who are motivated to take action fast. Visitors will either learn that the property isn’t right for them – saving both you and them some time – or end up more excited than ever. Work together with your real estate agent to make sure each visitor gets the personal touch from start to finish, including a folder of home photos and perks.
6. Be Ready to Respond to Offers
   Buyers’ offers come with an expiration date, so line everything up to move quickly. Look at all the practicalities – especially what it will take to get you out the door in time for closing day. Compare offers from various movers and discuss your move-out timeline. Consider moving inessential items to a storage facility. Ideally, you should aim to respond to buyer offers within three days.

   Last but not least, be sure to give yourself time to bid your first home, “adieu.” It can be a bittersweet time, but you are on to even greater adventures! An orderly selling process means a stress-free closing, and you can start to enjoy your new home even sooner.

Leslie Sells Houses