When Is The Best Time to Sell your Virginia Home?

Real estate in Vienna VA is going steady, with some spikes here and there, depending on the influx of property buyers. Should you decide to sell your home, you must do so at the right time if you want to take advantage of the best – if not necessarily highest – price.

But just how do you know it’s the right time?

The ideal month is May (or spring, for some), although that really depends on the location of your home. Each US state has its unique month when real estate statistics skyrockets. In New York alone, a house would sell in 14 days during the first half of April. In Washington D.C., however, the number of days is reduced to 10.5, although the best selling dates fell between May 1st and 15th. 

There is something appealing about buying a new home during spring. More than advocating the proverbial “spring cleaning” movement, selling your house during spring has a lot of wonderful benefits. People tend to buy houses when the weather is nice and warm, and spring is the perfect time to look for new properties. This is also the time when children are preparing for the resumption of classes (at least in most states), so families take advantage of the season to move out.

However, summer is also a good time to sell your VA home, and here’s evidence to back that up:

It’s Vacation Time

The school break isn’t over, and people see June as the prime home buying and selling season. Families need properties to stay in before fall and winter hit, and the weather becomes unforgiving. Since it’s the best time to move out and move up, there’s a huge chance that your house is sold quickly. Prices of property are also projected to appreciate up to 5% this year. If you delay things yet plan to move to a higher-priced home, you could end up paying for more than what you earned.

Summer Means Fewer CompetitorsThe good thing about homes in Virginia is that not everybody’s selling their properties yet. This gives you good leverage because the competition stays weak. When other VA homeowners buy their time before they decide to sell their property, that’s the right moment for you to strike and sell yours.

A Strong Buyer Demand

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer demand is strong in this part of America. This means even if buyers may be biding their time, they have money and documents ready to purchase homes. A well-maintained home, a reasonable price, and strategic marketing can push your property right at the buyer’s top of mind.

Faster Selling Process

As seen in the real estate statistics, selling VA homes in spring and summer take only two to three weeks at the most. This is partially attributed to buyers who already know what they want even before they shop for homes. Pre-approved mortgage loans also help speed up and iron out transactions.

Some Other Considerations in Selling

Here’s the better news: You don’t have to wait for spring or summer to sell your property. You just have to settle certain issues, and your house is good to go.

During fall and winter, people would be buying frantically lest they get caught up in bad weather. Traditionally, the winter season is the least profitable in real estate, but you can still gain an edge by studying the state of the local housing market. 

Meanwhile, other realtors believe that winter is the best time to sell properties, as this is the period when buyers are more motivated to move out. Whether it’s out of necessity or for fun, people would not hesitate to buy houses during this season. That’s definitely contradictory to the tradition of buying and selling homes in spring and summer. The takeaway? Properties listed in February and March tend to be sold quicker than those listed from April to June. 

However, selling homes during winter means more work on your part. Check out the troubled areas in your home and make the necessary repairs. Snow could have damaged the eaves and the roof, so make sure they are also fixed accordingly.  Clean up the clutter, too, and give your house “a curb appeal”. 

Also, consider selling in buyer’s and seller’s markets. A buyers market occurs when the properties sold are higher than the number of buyers. Take this as your cue to reduce your price a bit, or keep your property in the market for a longer period.

In contrast, there are more home buyers in a seller’s market. Between this and the buyer’s market, it might serve you better to sell your property in the former.

Check the local job market in Vienna VA, too. A booming job market also signals that people are looking to work and stay in the area. Thus, it’s the best time to sell your property.

How Ready Are You to Sell?

Despite the booming job and seller’s markets, the best time to sell all boils down to your preparation. Relocations, job changes, your growing family, and your lifestyle play a big part in your decision to sell your home. If you are selling your property because you have to move to a place near your workplace, you will have to put stricter deadlines to your deal.

You also have to secure your finances so you can immediately buy a new after you’ve sold your current property. That said, your home should be able to gain substantial equity.

Your emotional preparedness is likewise factored in. Sell your property when you feel you are ready to let go of old memories and whatever sentimentality you have attached to your home.

Conclusion

Selling your home entails a study of the market, supply and demand, the right price to entice buyers, and the ideal time to have your property listed. As a seller, you have to be flexible; success may depend on circumstances other than seasonality and personal preparedness. Sometimes people are using virtual staging services to furnish the empty rooms. With furnished rooms your chances of selling your home are promising.