Angela May's Omaha Nebraska Real Estate Blog: October 2008

Here's a question I get asked over and over again... "do people still buy houses this time of year?" My answer is always a resounding "YES"! People move every month, all year long! Many don't get to choose when they move, i.e. deaths, divorces, job transfers/losses, etc. The perception is that everyone moves in the summer so if you don't put your home on the market between May - September you are doomed. Not true! Actually, the fewer homes on the market to compete against, the higher your odds of selling quickly!

If you know you'll be moving in the summer of '09, when should you list your home? January. Why? Less competition. Each month after that your competition will double/triple as the rush of folks moving in the summer saturate the market. Beat the competition - be the best house listed in your price range when there are fewer to look at - you win!

HOT SELLER TIP:

If you're considering putting your house up for sale late this year or early next, TAKE OUTDOOR PICTURES NOW. These look much nicer on the MLS, and they can be used in a scrapbook inside your home showcasing your flowers and trees in bloom during dreary months.

Visit our new Seller Page to request a free special report titled "29 Tips That Sell Home for Top Dollar" or to learn more about preparing to sell!

Labels: omaha area realtor, omaha housing market, photo tips for home sellers, selling your home in winter months, when to list house

Great News & Seller Tips for the Omaha Housing Market

Despite the negative national press on the housing market, you'll be happy to hear Omaha is doing much better than most of the country! In my opinion things are slowly beginning to level out. The over-supply of new construction "spec homes" has been dissipating. This is resulting in less competition for "re-sale" homes.

This leads me to a very important point, what must a seller do in this "buyer's" market to sell their home? Two simple answers;

1) STAGE your home. The "Husker Home Finders" have a professional stager on staff to make sure your home outshines the competition. EVERY one of our listing clients receives this service, on us. You'll be competing with hundreds of homes with similar comparables and pricing - we need to make sure yours stands out in the crowd!

2) Be COMPETITIVE. In this market, no one knows the "perfect price". If they say they do, be leery. Things have changed. You can't just pick a price and wait for a buyer to knock on your door anymore - we have to be pro-active. We look at the competition - other homes buyers will walk thru the same day they see yours. We choose a price we think will be competitive, then we "test" the market. We gauge the number of e-showings by checking website hits. We get feedback from the agents showing the home. We constantly evaluate the market to include new competition and what the buyers who passed us by purchased so we know where we stand and can adapt.

Our team has a very detailed plan that works and makes sense. If you'd like more information on the market, or preparing your home for sale, please contact us - or visit our new Seller Page.

*Email us to request a copy of our Free "Home Staging" Report! Angela@HuskerHomeFinder.com

Labels: omaha housing market, omaha realtor, pricing competively, sellers agent, staging tip