There is a lot of advice online for people going from renting to buying their first home—or juggling buying and selling a house at the same time. But what about homeowners who are ready to say goodbye to homeownership?
While April and May are great months to put a home on the market, selling a house in spring is not the only option. The St. Louis area is still a seller’s market, which means buyers are out there all year long waiting for the right home to become available.
Following a few strategies can increase your chances of selling your home this winter and ending up in your new home before springtime.
It’s no surprise that some sellers don’t want to leave their appliances behind when moving to their next home. After all, they may have recently purchased an innovative smart fridge or a double oven they always dreamed of, and aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to it. But selling a house without a refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher might be a big turnoff for buyers – particularly if they expect the house to come with appliances.
It’s no surprise that one of the main questions real estate agents get this time of year is “Can I sell my house during the holiday season?” People are busy shopping, baking, and throwing parties – and it does require extra effort to keep a bustling house picked up and ready to show at the drop of a hat.
But there are also plenty of advantages to selling in December.
It is commonly known that a lot of debt can stand in the way of getting a good mortgage rate. And owing too much could prevent someone from getting a home loan at all. But what if you’re in the process of trying to reduce your debt payments? For example, does debt consolidation affect buying a home?
When most homeowners commit to selling a house, they plan to walk away with a profit. Ideally, the asking price is more than what they bought it for, allowing them to pay off their remaining mortgage and have a down payment for their next purchase. But selling a house is not as simple as sticking a sign in the yard and accepting a check from a buyer.
Buyers expect to move into a house that is clean and empty. And those selling a home often add a thorough cleaning to their to-do list. Most get a head start on cleaning to get the home ready to put on the market.
Most renters have heard the adage “You’re throwing money away when you rent.” True, renters will never recoup the money they pay their property owner every month. On the other hand, homeowners contribute to a valuable long-term investment every time they make a mortgage payment. While owning a home has many benefits, the decision to rent or own requires careful consideration of what it will cost.
“It’s what’s inside that counts” is great advice. But when it comes to selling a home, it’s forgetting something important—curb appeal. A house might be absolutely gorgeous, but if it looks bad from the street, it could be hard to get people interested. A pleasing exterior can determine whether someone stops in to an open house or contacts the realtor, or drives right past.
Buying in a seller’s market can be stressful. With available inventory much lower than average, making an offer on a home comes with the fear of being outbid and rejected. While it is tempting for buyers to waive a home inspection in hopes the sellers will accept their bid, it’s important to consider the peace of mind a home inspection brings. Will you need to make big repairs down the road – or even sooner? Is the home safe to live in? And is it worth such a huge investment?
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