Recently realtor.com showed a larger share of homeowners are planning to list their houses this winter. So, that means more homes will hit the market, which will lead to more choices for buyers too.
George Ratiu, Manager of Economic Research at realtor.com:
“The pandemic has delayed plans for many Americans, and homeowners looking to move on to the next stage of life are no exception. Recent survey data suggests the majority of prospective sellers are actively preparing to enter the market this winter.”
If you’re thinking of waiting until the spring to sell your house, know that your neighbors may be one step ahead of you by selling this winter. If you want to stand out from the crowd, this holiday season is the best time to make sure your house is available for buyers. Here’s why.
Sellers Are Still Firmly in the Driver’s Seat
Historically a 6-month supply of homes for sale is needed for a normal or neutral market. That level ensures there are enough homes available for active buyers (see below):
The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the inventory of houses for sale sits at a 2.4-month supply nationally and 1.4-month supply for South Florida. This is well below a neutral market.
What Do the levels of inventory mean for you?
Most of you are familiar with Supply/Demand. When Supply is low / Demand is high and When Supply is high/ Demand is low. With the supply of homes for sale being as low as it has been, it’s is harder for buyers to find homes to purchase. This drives up competition among buyers, who then submit increasingly competitive offers to win out against others in the home search process. As this happens, prices rise and your leverage as a seller rises, putting you in the best position to negotiate a contract that meets your ideal terms.
And while the low housing supply we’re facing won’t be solved overnight, sellers this season should move quickly to maximize their potential. As the data shows, with more prospective sellers planning to list their homes this winter, selling sooner rather than later helps your house rise to the top of a holiday buyer’s wish list so you can close the best possible deal.
Take Away
Listing your home over the next few weeks gives you the best chance to be in front of buyers competing for homes this holiday season. If you would like to schedule a Free Home Estimate Appointment or have any questions about the current real estate market, please contact us today.
Tom Wolf Team South Florida Realtors at RE/MAX Experience
