Hi Clients and Friends –

 

As we get into the last few months of the year, “waiting till next spring” is a common mindset we start hearing this time of year from our Sellers who are considering selling their homes. And while the largest % of homes are sold in the spring months, fall and winter can be valuable times to also sell. Here a few reasons why:

 

• Less Competition – The suppy of home for sale is still low, with fewer listings, your home will stand out against the competition.
• Serious Buyers are out in the fall and winter, less “Lookie Loos” - Many buyers are motivated during this time, driven by factors such as job transfers or family changes.
• Timing – right now most homes are selling in less than 2 months, no one knows what the market will look like next spring. 
• Seasonality less a factor due to our digital age – with so much information on line, Buyers are able to virtually see homes any time of the year and aren’t always waiting for spring. 

The Bottom Line - Don’t delay. The combination of housing supply challenges, and motivated buyers gives sellers a unique opportunity this season. If you’re thinking about making a move, let’s chat about why it makes sense to list your house today!

 

With much appreciation for your friendship and trust
- Leslie and Max

 

 

And just for fun…. Dave and I went on a trip of a lifetime to Egypt and Israel and were thankful our timing worked out and we were able to get home safe. Max and Hazel’s travel extravaganza to weddings continued with trips to CA and Mexico. The Herz Team is very thankful to have enjoyed a fantastic September and October with the opportunity to help several great clients. We hope you and your loved ones can take the time to relax and enjoy your favorite hobbies or adventures to recharge and connect too.

 

 

 

Mark your calendars now for Saturday, November 11th from 5:30pm - 8:30pm to join The Herz Team at the Denver Zoo Lights! We'll have a private reception room to connect and enjoy hot chocolate, bites and more. We'll also have a professional photographer taking family pics for you holiday cards! 

 

 

 

 

 

With summer vacations over and kids back in school, autumn can be a challenging time to secure a new home. Many homeowners and homebuyers are preparing to hunker down for winter.

 

While home sales typically drop in the fall, that doesn't mean you should wait until spring to list your property. Fall can be a fantastic time to sell your home for these three reasons.

 

Winter in the colder northern regions across the country is the slowest time for homebuying and selling. Who wants to pack up their home and move in feet of snow or near-freezing temperatures? Fall's milder temperatures make it an ideal time to get settled into a new property. It's also a unique window to capture last-minute buyers who are still house hunting.

 

"Fall tends to be the last bit of significant activity for the Denver metro market before winter," says Amber Edouard, a real estate agent with West+Main Homes in Denver. "Some buyers decide to try again next year and other sellers think they’d rather wait for the spring market, leaving an opportunity for those who remain diligent."

 

It's true there are generally fewer people searching for homes in autumn, but there are also fewer homes for sale. The key to capturing the remaining buyers out there is to make your home stand out.

 

"With any home sale, it's all about presentation and providing the buyer with value," Edouard says. "When listing a property, good staging and providing the potential buyers with a cozy vibe do go a long way as far as helping them feel comfortable in the space and envisioning themselves living there."

 

However, she says, buyers have become discerning.

 

"Since the current interest rates are significantly higher than the insanely low rates we saw during the pandemic, many buyers don’t have extra money for a fixer-upper and only want to enter the market for a property that is nearly turn-key," Edouard says. "Specifically for fall, the amount of homes for sale tends to drop a bit, providing better odds for the seller. If you price the property right or even slightly under market value, you have greater potential of getting list price or even multiple offers."

 

One of the best reasons to sell your home in the fall is how easy it is to make your home feel warm and inviting.

 

Consider having a naturally scented candle or diffuser oil that gives off a light fall fragrance like freshly baked apple muffins or pumpkin cookies when showing your home. These common fall scents can set the mood and make your home feel extra cozy with fall's crisper cooler weather. However, it's important the scents are not overpowering. If it's too strong, it can actually put off homebuyers.

 

Charles Fischer, broker associate with the Fischer Group EXP Realty in Melbourne, Florida, advises potential sellers to start with a deep cleaning and decluttering, which he says is even more important now.

 

"Buyers are imagining how they will 'live' in your home," he says. "Try to reduce the personality 'footprint' from family photos and keepsakes that we all love but can create clutter and distract a buyer."

 

For example, instead of a family photo, hang a neutral landscape painting, cute botanical poster or quaint wall art quote. There are a lot of appealing decor swaps you can make for little to no cost. The key is to not have anything that draws attention away from the selling features of the home.

 

Choose subtle fall decorations like natural leaf garland around your fireplace mantle or staircase railing. Consider adding a few pumpkins, natural grasses like hay or other small fall landscaping additions to the exterior of the home. A fall door mat or wreath can set an inviting tone for a potential buyer entering your home for a showing.

 

"Fall decor is great," says Fisher, "but avoid excessive Halloween items like inflatable lawn decorations. I have found that some buyers are turned off by them."

 

To improve curb appeal, Fisher suggests that sellers "green up the lawn, plant fresh flowers and weed and mulch landscaping."

 

Home sellers considering selling in fall 2023 have a unique advantage. In most markets, supply remains extremely low, with homebuying demand surpassing the available inventory. According to the U.S. News Housing Market Index, national housing supply is at 2.1 months, far below the average six months considered a balanced housing market. Homes are moving quickly in cities like San Jose, California, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. In San Jose, which Redfin identifies as the most competitive city in the U.S. for home sales, homes sell after an average of 11 days on the market, compared to 27 days last year. In Fayetteville, homes are selling after seven days on the market, on average, compared to eight days last year, according to Redfin. In hot markets, sellers are seeing multiple offers if the home is priced well and in good condition.

 

Mortgage rates are one of the biggest deterrents for buyers today. As of Oct. 5, the average 30-year-fixed mortgage rate was 7.68%, but the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts mortgage rates could be as low as 6% by the end of 2023 and 5% by mid-2024, which would heat the housing market up again.

 

To make the most of your home sale in the fall, approach the season realistically. Know what your market is doing right now and the challenges you may encounter if you list in the fall months.

 

Because the number of buyers actively looking in fall starts to taper off, it's important that sellers do not overprice their property, Edouard says, so they can attract as much interest as possible.

 

"When a property is overpriced and the number of days it sits on the MLS begins to accrue, its novelty and buzz also tend to go downward," says Edouard. "Although price improvements can help bring the interest back, it's always better to get it priced right the first time to get the most for the seller."

 

In Florida, Fischer says prices have remained relatively stable and buyer demand is high, at least in the central, east coast part of the state.

 

"It's important sellers are realistic with their pricing," he says. "Perform a presale appraisal and inspection and use that number to guide your pricing."

 

A qualified and experienced real estate agent can help you make the most of your home sale in the fall, but a lot of the prep work to make your home stand out comes from you. Declutter, do a deep clean and get your home show-ready with minimal and intentional fall decor. If you pair those efforts with a proper asking price, there's a good chance your home will sell quickly and for top dollar this fall season.

 

source: US News & World Report

 

Denver Metro and Boulder County Real Estate Statistics

 

 

 

 

"Leslie and all her team did a fantastic job helping to me through the the selling process. I can't thank them enough for the work they did to quickly bring the sale to completion." – Lynn

 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★