Five Important Reasons to List Your House Now

Many people are waiting to sell because they expect the market to return, or they are just waiting out the holidays until the Spring. Here are 5 important reasons to consider listing now:

1. At this time of year, the buyers are more serious.
There are many buyers who are "just looking to see what's out there." Once the holidays and bad weather kicks in, the only buyers left are the ones more apt to actually buy.

2. If you are moving up, you can save thousands.
Let's say that your home has lost 20% of its value; it's the wrong time to sell, right? But if you're trading up, your new home has also lost value. If your home was once worth $300,000 and it sells for $240,000, you’ve lost $60,000. But if you’re trading up to a $500,000 house that has lost 20% of its value, and is now selling for $400,000, you are ahead $40,000.

3. Interest rates keep falling.
The current interest rates combined with low prices make real estate an exceptional bargain right now. But interest rates will probably go up next year, so waiting to list your house will reduce your pool of buyers.

4. List before the rush of inventory that comes in the Spring.
There is an increase of inventory each year from January through April. For example, in the United States in January of 2010, 3,277,000 were listed, increasing steadily until, in April, 4,029,000 were listed. You won’t have to worry about this increasing competition if you list now.

5. You have less “discounted” inventory with which to compete.
This year, non-distressed properties priced correctly are in demand. With banks declaring a suspension on the sale of many distressed properties (foreclosures), there has been a large supply of discounted properties removed from competition. No one knows how long this self-imposed moratorium will last. However, while it does, every homeowner has a better chance of selling their property.

If you'd like to see what homes like yours are selling for, sign up for my interactive (free) home search website Listingbook.

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