Getting Ready for the Spring Market
January 22, 2020
Getting Ready for Spring Market
You’ve likely heard the term “Spring Market”, but what does it really mean? Simply put, it has traditionally been the time of year that is most popular when people consider making a move. The snow is gone, flowers are blooming, grass is green and we all want to get out of the house after a long, cold winter.
Looking outside right now, you might not be thinking about spring yet, but if this is the year you’re thinking about making a move, SPRING PLANNING STARTS NOW! Think about it: most people want to move while the weather is good, and if you take into account that a typical closing (the time from when a property sells until the actual “moving” date) is often between 60-90 days, then you need to count backwards from there.
So, let’s say you wanted to be moving in June or July for example, (this is very popular with families, as it gives time sort out new school arrangements, settle into a new neighbourhood over the summer, and use vacation time for moving) you would need to have your home on the market sometime in April or May.
Ok, but that’s still months away, right? Well; now ask yourself what you may need to do to get ready to sell. Here are some tips to get you started:
Contact a Realtor
Real Estate agents are professionals, and we want to help! A great real estate agent will start working with you long before you are ready to sell. Besides the obvious pricing and marketing of your home, we have developed valuable networks of quality service providors for almost anything you might need. Lenders, lawyers, contractors, landscapers, painters and stagers are just some of the professionals we help you find. We’ll be your guide through every step of the process leading up to the listing, and of course through the sale process and beyond.
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Take a financial picture
In most cases, if you’re selling your home, you’ll need to buy another. So, now is the time to visit your lender and find out what your financial situation looks like, what your various financing options are and what you will be able to comfortably afford.
Time for TLC
If you’re like most of us, there are probably things around your home that need some attention if you want it to be in top condition for sale. You may need to make repairs (like that leaky faucet you’ve been living with for years!), some of which might require professional help from contractors or licensed tradespeople. You may even consider getting outside help with purging, cleaning, painting or organizing so that your home is ready to be staged to look its best!
Gather Information
Potential buyers will ask a lot of questions, and your Realtor will need to be able to answer them. Having information about your property ready before listing will save time and effort later. Start gathering documentation for things like property taxes, surveys, major renovations, recent upgrades, maintenance records and utility costs.
So, what’s the bottom line? All of these things take TIME. If you want to hit the ground running and be ready to take advantage of one of the busiest times of the market, then NOW is the time to start. Pre-planning can help to make your moving experience less stressful, more profitable and maybe even a little fun. Let’s start today: It’s never too early to contact a Realtor!
Megan Thoms-McDougall
Sales Representative, Your Hometown Realty
519-400-0771 (cell)