By Steve Levine
First and foremost, I want to wish you all a happy and healthy holiday…and thank you so much for reading all of my articles for all these years. It means so much to me when people call or come up to me and let me know they enjoyed my material.
Before you think I’m crazy in my passion for the month of January, let me explain my rationale, and then ask you to take it from the standpoint of one who has been selling real estate here in this area for more than 30 of those Januaries now!
Normal logic might dictate that nobody buys or sells in the winter, and that, in fact, spring is the best time. However that it rarely the case at all. In fact, the winter has proven time and time again to be an incredible time for many homeowners, and here are just a few reasons why.
First and foremost is the issue of inventory, based on the simple laws of supply and demand. Yes, you would be right in assuming that there are fewer buyers in the winter, but there are far, far fewer homes on the market for buyers to choose from. This often puts the balance clearly in favor of the sellers, as there are people who need to purchase, and have limited options.
Secondly, many home buyers put off their purchase during the months of November and December. As January kicks off, there is a virtual stampede of Cyber Monday buyers looking for homes. Think of it this way: if x number of people typically buy each month, and they don’t buy in November and December, that means 3x people purchase in January.
Third, as a seller, there is nothing more frustrating than getting your home all ready for showings, only to find out that the people weren’t really “buyers,” but rather just “lookers.” On a gorgeous day in mid-May, those tire-kickers are out in droves, but in 10 degree weather in January, the only people you see are SERIOUS buyers. Yes, you have less showings, but that’s can be a good thing, not a bad one, because each showing is more productive.
Timing is the key here – because historically the earliest sellers to hit the market are usually the ones who ultimately are most successful. That puts the onus on both you and me, of course, to be talking about all of this now, even as you’re decorating the tree. No, I don’t want to start showing your home on Christmas Eve, but I would love to talk to you between now and the end of the month, come up with the best possible game plan, and be ready to hit the ground running just as soon as the ball drops on 2018. By having it all in place early, we can beat the rest of the folks to the market, and by the time they’re ready to list, you’ll be signing your contracts. I’m working throughout the holiday week to make sure I can get to everyone, so call my cell, 508-735-4663, or email me at [email protected] and we can arrange to have a casual chat.
Steve Levine is president of Steve Levine, Inc., and an agent for REMAX Professionals. He has been ranked 10 times as the Top REMAX Agent in New England, and can be found online at www.stevelevine.com.
Steve Levine,
President
Steve Levine, Inc.
RE/MAX Professional Associates
#1 REMAX Agent in New England – 10 Years
E-mail: [email protected]
508-735-4663
