Researching the Real Estate Market When Selling a Home

When the time comes to sell your home, it's important to know what's going on in the real estate market where you live. Having an understanding of the real estate market can help you make smart decisions before and during the sale process.

Doing research typically involves reading articles online, talking to real estate professionals, and making observations about the other homes that are selling in your area. As you're doing your research, below are the questions you should be seeking to answer.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

>Is it a Seller's or Buyer's Market?

A seller's market occurs when homes sell for high prices and home inventory is low. In a seller's market, buyers have the financial resources to pay more for their homes, and will compete against one another to buy the best home available. Under these conditions, home buyers often get into bidding wars and will even pay more than the asking price for a home.

A home buyer's market is the opposite. In a buyer's market, home inventory is high and buyers have their pick of homes in the community. Prices are low and buyers can be very choosy.

Knowing what type of market condition is happening when a house goes up for sale can help the homeowner get the most money for their home. For example, in a buyer's market, the seller may need to renovate the home in order to make the house more attractive to buyers. In a seller's market, the seller will have to do less work.

What Can You Do to Boost Your Home's Value?

Knowing what the buyers prioritize can help the homeowner decide what kind of changes to make in order to boost their home's value. In family-friendly areas, for example, a home with three bedrooms is likely to sell faster than a home with only two. If a homeowner would like to sell quickly, they may need to convert their spare room back into a bedroom, just to make it more appealing to buyers.

How Fast Can You Expect Your Home to Sell?

In some markets, homes sell quickly. In other markets, homes may sit for a long time without selling. Knowing how quickly the home can be expected to sell can help the homeowner decide when is the appropriate time to put the Upper Mount Royal home on the market.

For example, if the homeowner needs to sell their home in time to start a new job in another city, and homes are taking a long time to sell, the homeowner may need to put their home up for sale quickly and make improvements that will encourage buyers to make offers. In addition, a seller under these circumstances may need to make alternative arrangements in order to start their job on time.

Work with a Real Estate Professional

Working with a real estate professional is the best way to do market research when selling a home. A good real estate professional can answer your questions, give you advice, and help you anticipate what to expect during the home selling experience. Working with a real estate professional can also help you anticipate problems that might be coming. Trouble shooting in advance with your real estate professional can help the home-selling experience go smoothly.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.