The real estate market itself is, by nature, not a static enterprise. The market is affected by many things, ore interest rates, and the changing seasons. Home sales in Redmond, in particular, are noticeably more or fewer depending on what part of the year it is. For instance, springtime is usually a common time for many homeowners to put their houses on the market. The surge in listings is certainly caused in part by the weather being more temperate, but many families will be looking to move either during the late spring or during the summertime so that their kids can get settled before the school year starts. There are usually many fewer listings, and houses for sale stay on the market for a longer time during the winter. There are a few factors that cause this discrepancy in sales, but it is most likely that the weather affects this. During the cold winter months, not many people who live in Redmond would be willing to get out of their houses if they do not have to, and they certainly would not want to go out of their homes to another city.
Buying and sellers during both “in” seasons and “off” seasons might affect the prices of the houses that are being listed, as well. Again, this might end up being a simple supply and demand issue. As people start to buy more houses in cities like Seattle and Redmond, the prices of houses will go up due to competition. At the very least, individuals would need to have a more competitive price that matches the price of other, similar types of houses. Homes that are on the market during the winter time might need to be listed for lower, due to the fact that potential homeowners might not end up seeing the for-sale sign in the front yard.
Also, a homeowner who has a house that is on the market in Redmond would need to know both times to look for houses, and perhaps the exact time to sell their house, as well. This schedule is both something that is common in cities and states like Redmond, and it is a trick of the “trade,” so to speak. A prospective homeowner or Realtor might not necessarily think of this trick on their own time. However, if they are experiencing the right kind of help, and they are working with the right kind of agency, they should have all of the following points in check. Whether their company is helping them do both things, or whether the company representative is able to inform their client, in these circumstances, to look for a house, and listings at another time, they will definitely do a good job. This may seem like an obvious fact, but homeowners in Redmond should have these strategies and tactics stored in that back of their heads.
Summer: The Busy Selling Season
The real estate market is impacted both by summer vacations and by families relocating, often seeking to be in the community they’ve chosen before the school year begins. (This is a big “must” in certain areas.) These intersecting timelines drive a new “school” of summer buyers and can motivate some families to sell their homes in the summer, creating market “supply” at a time when there are statistically fewer houses on the market.
Conversely, if you are a buyer with the wish to move into a new area, perhaps the house for you is “on sale” for the first time in years? Knowing this, is it worth possibly delaying a major life decision and vacationing in your hometown where you (hopefully) have a built-in “grandma” babysitter, or could you consider exploring some new neighborhoods during this time?
Curb appeal becomes so super important! So are people’s patios, yards, and the exterior maintenance of a home. (Who wants to paint a home in these crazy times?) A nice “drive-by” presentation of a home can bring them in, and people can get busy this time of year, so if you want to sell quickly or bring an offer closer to your “ask” price, you should absolutely “bring it” with solid curb appeal!
Fall: A Transitional Period
Buyer interest tends to shift as the school year begins. These next three weeks we will see families move quickly to buy homes and settle in before school starts. In a way, this will create panic among prospective home buyers and those currently in escrow.
In the time leading up to the holidays, sellers are in the best position. There will be an absence of buyers (about 20% less) and much fewer sellers (about 50% less) on the market. Buyers have to compete on every single listing that is priced reasonably. Good deals are few and fleeting, and repair requests are being denied left and right. The market is just that hot.
But again, the time is short, and holiday distractions will put more than just a pause on the real estate industry in a couple of weeks, so perhaps I should rephrase by saying that sellers only have two weeks left for this year. The transition period will turn the market in favor of “wise” buyers, but smart buyers will dominate throughout. This should be a wake-up call for homeowners.
Winter: The Slowdown in Home Sales
“We can depend upon just two things in Redmond to dramatically impact people’s enthusiasm for house shopping at the Drop—weather, and the holidays.
The winter months are, of course, much cooler (so much so that people will avoid going out if they can), and with certain holiday celebrations come certain distractions. Thus, there is traditionally less interest in home shopping in the winter months and during holidays. This tends to slow the Redmond housing market a bit until things warm up and the holidays are past.
However, our savvy house-seller will take full advantage of this season to stage a property that is “warm and cheery” and one with “inviting.” Don’t forget:
Holiday decorations, natural light openings, covered outdoor areas, indirect lighting, an interesting visual backdrop, “a party just waiting to happen,” unique function, esthetics, and a comfortable “lived-in” staging.
And, yes, it will be cold outside, so it needs to be warm (or even toasty, but not hot) inside.
The Drop’s house-seller may also want to position interests in non-typical ways, in various locations, to support the “new” marketing position. The prospect’s challenge might be “to buy a house in the winter or during a holiday,” with clear, updated, and picture-based landscapes.
And certainly take advantage of any local signage, such as “Another [Insert Agent/Brokerage Name Here] House Sold” or “Weekend Open House,” that assures that more people will see the well-priced new listing. The off-season or post-holiday listing is a unique opportunity to do something special with “a little-used social media App” or a special customer outreach event.
If they are like many homeowners and need to sell a house fast, to a “we buy houses where it is” that understand the holidays and winter real estate markets and how to sell a house fast buyer about a Redmond estate, they will be able to get on with their life.
Your “we buy house as is” house is not “hinted” to need a market or winterized update.
Ready, Set, “Go For It” ….
How We Buy House As Is Can Help
Selling a home as-is can be a strategic choice, particularly during slower real estate seasons. Homeowners often face challenges such as market fluctuations and increased competition, making it difficult to attract buyers. By opting to sell as-is, sellers can bypass the lengthy and costly process of repairs and renovations, allowing for a quicker sale. This approach not only saves time but also reduces the stress associated with preparing a home for the market.
In Redmond, We Buy House As Is has been a valuable resource for homeowners looking to sell quickly and efficiently. For instance, a family facing financial difficulties was able to sell their property without investing in costly repairs. We Buy House As Is provided a fair cash offer, allowing them to move on without the burden of their home. Such examples highlight how this service can be a lifeline for those needing to sell quickly, especially when traditional methods may not yield favorable results.
If you’re considering selling your home but are hesitant due to its condition or the current market climate, reach out to We Buy House As Is for a consultation. Their team can guide you through the process, ensuring you understand your options and can make an informed decision. Don’t let the challenges of selling hold you back—contact them today to explore how selling as-is can work for you.}
Spring: The Peak Season for Home Sales
Spring—a season we typically associate with a lot of color—revives the real estate market with a rush of buyer activity. Suddenly, when it’s time for the flowers, it’s also time to look at homes, and for good reason. Families want to be settled before the next school year; some investors may find it beneficial to buy “in season.”
The obvious advantage for anyone listing a home in the spring is that with more buyers out, there are likely to be:
- More showings.
- More offers.
- Quicker sales (with fewer hoops to jump through, such as showings scheduled at inconvenient times).
- Potentially higher sale prices.
Redmond sellers can also use “spring psychology” to their advantage. Many more buyers in the field feel an increased push to beat out the other contenders, and that’s up to the minute, not “sometime this week.” Moreover, those buyers may be motivated to buy before summer hits—a peak heat wave is not a fun time for a move, and people used-to-the-rain feel that! A buyer’s market is likely to be the most highly charged in spring; in other words, if you have to play games to win, spring is an excellent time for games!
Understanding Seasonal Trends in Real Estate
The rhythm of home sales in Redmond—like many regions—follows a fairly predictable pattern that’s driven by the season.
SPRING – Spring is often considered the start of the home-selling season. Many families want to move while the kids are out of school and the weather is good, so they start shopping in spring. This drives more listing inventory to the market and creates a frenzy of buyers looking for a new place to call home. The upside for sellers is you’ll have lots of demand which can equate to multiple offers and the potential for a higher sales price.
SUMMER – The market has a nice hum in summer. People are still buying, but often sales aren’t quite as brisk as the spring and you see a few “SALE PENDING” signs. The heat of summer starts to compete for the attention of your buyer. Do they want a new home or a last-minute vacation before school starts? Is your home a better option than Disneyland? Keep in mind your well-maintained and priced-right home is ready for the “right buyer,” you just may have to be a bit more patient to find them.
FALL – Fall or the start of the school season brings new opportunities to our home sellers. Mom’s, dad’s and family members helping with the school line shuffle want homes that are closer to school and they want them now. You are going to need to stage your home “just right” to attract these “motivated” buyers.
WINTER – Winter, as you would assume, drives the fewest home sales. The weather just doesn’t invite you out to look at homes and many are distracted with winter breaks and where you are going to find your next holiday meal. The positive side of selling in the winter is you are going to attract only the most serious home buyers. If your home is priced and presented well,buyer beware—you may have some competition!
In areas with seasonal weather, like Redmond, there are more strong “real estate months” during the spring and summer. This is likely because these are the moments when there are fewer school engagements and easier traveling conditions. Along with this, the weather is simply less of a hindrance. Autumn and Winter are less common times for transactions to happen.
This does not mean it is impossible to do these transactions, but people likely get much less just because fewer people are participating in “open” houses. This is when the interiors of soon-to-be-sold houses can be viewed by the public.
If your house isn’t up to “par” with the others, it likely won’t go at all. It really depends on where you are. Contact on 206-291-6117 for more information. We will do our best to get you whenever you can be reached. We can discuss the possible options with the rest of your team. Your location, or “season,” will be one just element of our discussion.