Right now, we’re still in a sellers’ market, which means conditions are very favorable for current homeowners looking for a change. If you sell now, data shows you can expect:
While research from realtor.com indicates there are more sellers getting ready to list their homes this winter, there are still more buyers in the market than there are homes for sale. If you sell your house now, before more houses are listed, it will get more attention from serious buyers who are eager to find a home.
When supply is low and demand is high like it is now, buyers have to compete with each other for a limited number of homes for sale. The Realtors® Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) shows sellers are getting an average of 3.6 offers in today’s market.
According to the same report from NAR, homes are selling in a median of just 18 days. As a seller, that's great news for you if you’re looking for a quick process.
In addition to these great perks, you’ll also win big on your next move if you sell now. CoreLogic reports homeowners gained an average of $51,500 in equity over the past year. This wealth boost is the result of buyer competition driving home prices up. You can leverage that equity to fuel a move, before mortgage rates and home prices climb more.
The longer you wait to make your move, the more it will cost you down the road. As mortgage rates rise, even modestly, it will impact your monthly payment when you purchase your next home. Waiting just a few months to move up could mean a long-term financial impact.
The good news is, today’s rates are still hovering in a historically low range. According to Doug Duncan, Senior VP and Chief Economist at Fannie Mae:
“Right now, we forecast mortgage rates to average 3.3 percent in 2022, which though slightly higher than 2020 and 2021, by historical standards remains extremely low.”
Selling before rates climb higher means you can make your move and lock in a low rate on the mortgage for your next home. This helps you get more home for your money and keeps your payments down too. You have a fantastic opportunity to get ahead today.
Real estate experts agree: sellers have a great opportunity in front of them this season.
Here are some of the main reasons experts say you should consider selling your house this winter.
New housing data shows 2021’s feverish home sales pace broke a yearly record in October, . . . with last month marking the eighth straight month of buyers snatching up homes more quickly than the fastest pace in previous years. . . .
- realtor.com Press Release
These low mortgage rates, combined with the tailwind of first-time homebuyers entering the market, means that purchase demand will remain strong into next year.
- Sam Khater, Chief Economist, Freddie Mac
With strong homebuying demand, homes go under contract within days. Before the pandemic, the time from listing to pending usually took about three to five weeks, . . .
- Shu Chen, Senior Professional, Office of the Chief Economist, CoreLogic
Home sellers have historically moved when something in their lives changed – a new baby, a marriage, a divorce or a new job. The pandemic has impacted everyone, and for many this became an impetus to sell. . . .
- Jessica Lautz, VP of Demographics and Behavioral Insights, National Association of Realtors® (NAR)
The dramatic rise in home prices is a direct result of more buyers in the market (demand) than houses available for sale (supply). When demand is high and supply is low like it is right now, prices naturally rise.
But today’s buyers are wondering what the future holds. Will prices continue to rise with time, or should you expect them to fall? To answer that question, let’s first look at a few terms you may be hearing right now.
•Appreciation is an increase in the value of an asset.
•Depreciation is a decrease in the value of an asset.
•Deceleration is when something happens at a slower pace.
It’s important to note home prices have increased, or appreciated, for nearly 10 years now. According to Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, home prices are projected to continue increasing, too:
“… Waiting in expectation that prices will fall seems unlikely to pay off.”
With buyers eager to purchase, but so few homes available, sellers who list their houses now have a tremendous advantage – also known as leverage – when negotiating with buyers. That’s because, in today’s market, buyers want three things:
•To be the winning bid on their dream home
•To buy before mortgage rates rise
•To buy before prices go even higher
These three buyer needs give homeowners a leg up when selling their house.
You might already realize this advantage enables you to sell at a good price, but it also means you can negotiate the best contract terms to suit your needs.
And since demand is still high, there’s a good chance you’ll get offers from multiple buyers who are willing to compete for your house. When you do, look closely at each offer to make sure you understand all the unique terms and conditions before you make your decision.
An agent can help you determine which offer has the best perks for you. If you have questions about what’s ideal for your situation, lean on the experts. Real estate professionals have the right expertise, and they’re skilled negotiators in all stages of the sales process.
This unique opportunity to capitalize on today’s low supply and high demand won’t last forever. That’s because recent data shows some initial inventory relief for buyers may be on its way. There are signs more sellers are about to enter the market. George Ratiu, Manager of Economic Research for realtor.com, says: “Recent survey data suggests the majority of prospective sellers are actively preparing to enter the market this winter.”
For you, that means the longer you wait, the more options buyers will have to choose from, and the less leverage you’ll have when you sell.
Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation. The best thing about equity is that it often grows without you even realizing it, especially as home values rise like they’re doing today. As mentioned, the current combination of low housing supply and high buyer demand is driving home values up, which gives you a significant equity boost.
When you sell your house, that equity can be used to help you meet your goals. If you’re looking to move, you can use the equity from your current home to fuel a move into the home of your dreams.
Alternatively, you can use your equity to reach other big goals in your life, such as starting your own business or funding an education.
So, if you’re thinking of moving, don’t forget – you may have more equity in your current house than you realize, and that equity can take you places.
If you build a home from the ground up, you’ll have the option to select the custom features you want, including appliances, finishes, landscaping, layout, and more.
When building a home, you can choose energy-efficient options to help lower your utility costs, protect the environment, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Many builders offer a warranty, so you’ll have peace of mind on unlikely repairs. Plus, you won’t have as many little projects to tackle, like leaky faucets or shutters to paint.
Another perk is that nothing in the house is used. It’s all brand new and uniquely yours from day one.
With decades of homes to choose from, you’ll have a broader range of floorplans and designs available.
Existing homes give you the option to get to know the neighborhood, community, or traffic patterns before you commit.
Established neighborhoods also have more mature landscaping and trees, which can give you additional privacy and curb appeal.
The character of older homes is hard to reproduce. If you value timeless craftsmanship or design elements, you may prefer an existing home.
Selling a house requires a significant amount of time and effort, even though it may seem simple at first glance. Doing it right takes expertise and an understanding of what buyers are looking for. An agent considers things like:
Do you need to take down your personal art?
What’s the right amount of landscaping to boost your curb appeal?
What wall colors are most appealing to buyers?
An expert real estate advisor relies on their experience to answer these questions and more, so you don’t invest in the wrong things. Your time and money are important – and you shouldn’t waste either one.
The more buyers that view your house, the more likely you are to get a better return on your investment. Today, homes are receiving an average of 3.6 offers per sale, according to recent data from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). While that’s promising for the sale of your house, it’s important to understand your agent’s role in bringing buyers in.
Agents have multiple tools at their disposal – from social media to agency resources – to ensure your home is viewed by more prospective buyers. Leveraging the tools available to your agent and their expertise will give you the best advantage in the process.
An agent can also save you time by taking out the guesswork you’ll have when navigating the required documentation. Today, more disclosures and regulations are mandatory, meaning the number of legal documents you need to juggle is growing.
It can be hard to truly understand all the requirements and fine print. That’s where an advisor can be a valuable guide so you can avoid any costly missteps.
When it comes to selling your house as a FSBO, you’ll have to handle all the negotiations. Here are just a few of the people you’ll work with:
The buyer, who wants the best deal possible
The buyer’s agent, who will use their expertise to advocate for the buyer
The inspection company, which works for the buyer and will almost always find concerns with the house
The appraiser, who assesses the property’s value to protect the lender
An agent relies on experience and training to make the right moves during the negotiation. That’s how we know what levers to pull, how to address each individual’s concerns, and when you may want to get a second opinion. Selling your house as a FSBO means you’ll need to be prepared to have these conversations on your own.
Another way your agent maximizes the sale of your home is by making sure it’s priced right. Real estate professionals have the experience to compare your house to recently sold homes in your area and factor in any upgrades you’ve completed. Combining these factors is the key to making sure your house is priced to move quickly and competitively. When you FSBO, you’re operating without this expertise.
We help with all disclosures and contracts necessary in today's heavily regulated environment.
We're well versed in real estate and know the ins and outs of the entire sales process.
We know how to use the latest tech to make the process (and your life) easier.
We act as a buffer in negotiations with all parties throughout the entire transaction.
We simply and effectively explain today's market conditions and decipher what they mean for you.
We help you understand today's real estate values when setting the price of a listing or making an offer to purchase.
The Alliance Group provides a seasoned and experienced team of real estate professionals to guide our clients through the sales process while presenting insightful options to achieve their desired goals.