The sun is shining, the days are longer and people are wearing jean shorts and ordering chardonnay in droves. It's spring, which means that it's also the best time to sell a house. It makes sense that after a long winter spent hibernating on the couch in a Snuggie that potential homeowners would want to spend sunny weekends strolling and looking for a new home.
Jonathan J. Miller, the president of the appraisal firm Miller Samuel, confirmed our beliefs in a recent New York Times piece. "Based on the number of contracts signed each month, the spring is still the ‘Super Bowl’ of annual real estate sales,” Mr. Miller said. June is the top month for the number of contracts signed which means the properties were most likely listed in May. In fact, June sees 90 percent more sales than December.
Are you thinking of selling your property? Here, five reasons to take the leap:
1. Gorgeous weather puts everyone in a good mood. "May weather is ideal for selling a home because gardens are in bloom. In the fall, home seekers are reminded of the leaves they'll need to rake, and in the winter they'll often see how much snow needs to be shoveled. In the spring they'll be imagining the barbecues to come," Ryan Nickum, a blogger for Estately.com told The Huffington Post.
2. School's out! Changing schools is a big deal for families, so people with kids prefer to move during the summer so the children have the summer to get adjusted before the school year begins.
3. Potential buyers and real estate agents are hungry for new inventory after winter. "April officially kicks off Open House Month and home buyers are pounding the pavement in search of the perfect fit,” said Alison Schwartz, Vice President, Corporate Communications at Move.com.
4. Spring weather shows the property in its best light. Potential buyers are less likely to think about the exorbitant heating and cooling costs when it's 70 degrees outside.
5. Tax refunds are in the air (and in wallets). Potential buyers may have a little extra cash in their pockets and may be more excited to look for a new home.
No matter when you list your home, it's imperative to consider the details. "Little things like presenting and photographing the home correctly, pricing the home just under what it's worth in order to get a bidding war started, listing the house mid-week with the intent of picking an offer the following Monday or Tuesday and doing open houses in markets where people expect them," Estately.com CEO Galen Ward told The Huffington Post.
Ready to start looking for a new house? Get inspired by these gorgeous celebrity homes:
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