Why you should NOT wait to list your house right now

As the year comes to an end, we recognize a trend where homeowners are motivated to make the move and finally get into a home that complements their changing lifestyles. It is clear that homeowners have begun to understand the benefits of today’s sellers’ market. With record-breaking home price appreciation, growing equity, low inventory, and competitive mortgage rates it makes perfect sense as to why.

To support this, take a peek at recent data from realtor.com that demonstrates a significant share of homeowners that intend to list their homes this winter.

What That Means for Homeowners:

That means more homes are about to hit the market increasing supply to be more in line with demand than we have recently seen. This means there will be more options for buyers to choose from when looking for their homes.

According to George Ratiu, Manager of Economic Research at realtor.com:

“The pandemic has delayed plans for many Americans, and homeowners looking to move on to the next stage of life are no exception. Recent survey data suggests the majority of prospective sellers are actively preparing to enter the market this winter.”

If you are thinking about waiting till the spring to sell your house, keep in mind that your neighbors might be one step ahead of you and sell this winter. If you want to stand out from the crowd, this holiday season is the best time to make sure your house is available for buyers. Here’s why.

Sellers Are Still Firmly in the Driver’s Seat:

Historically, a 6-month supply of homes for sale is needed for a normal or neutral market. That level ensures there are enough homes available for active buyers (see graph below):The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the inventory of houses for sale sits at a 2.4-month supply. This is well below the 6-7 months supply needed for a neutral market.

What Does That Mean for You?

When the supply of homes for sale is as low as it is today, it is more difficult for buyers to find homes to purchase. This drives up competition among buyers, who then submit increasingly competitive offers to win out against others in the home search process. As this happens, prices rise and your leverage as a seller rises too, putting you in the best position to negotiate a contract that meets your ideal terms.

The low housing supply we are currently facing will not be solved overnight. Sellers this season should act quickly to maximize their potential. The data demonstrates that, with more prospective sellers planning to list their homes this winter, selling sooner rather than later helps your house rise to the top of a holiday buyer’s wish list so you can close the best possible deal.

Bottom Line:

Listing your home over the next few weeks gives you the best chance to be in front of buyers competing for homes this holiday season. Let’s connect today to discuss how you can benefit from today’s sellers’ market. Email us here.