When is the best time to be selling a Columbia SC home? According to a new study by the real estate brokerage Redfin, homeowners who list their property for sale often find the winter season the most advantageous time to be selling a Columbia SC home.
The winter season unofficially is considered to be the time between December 21st and March 20th. So if the Redfin study holds true for the best time to be selling a Columbia SC home, we're starting into the home stretch now, no pun intended.
Listing a Columbia SC Home Now May Net More
In an update to a two-year analysis it completed last year, Redfin researchers studied nationwide home listings, sales prices, and time-on-market data from 2010 through October 2014. According to Redfin's research, February is "historically the best month to list, with an average of 66 percent of those owners selling a Columbia SC home who listed then, selling within 90 days."
Selling a Columbia SC home during December through March tends to net sellers more than their asking price than listing during any months other than April and May.
Researchers say the winter market is less competitive for those selling a Columbia SC home since many people tend to wait until the spring to list. The smaller inventory of active listings help sellers get more attention from buyers on their properties. Also, many large corporations often transfer employees or hire new ones early in the year, creating opportunities for winter sellers from very motivated purchasers.
As for buyers, they may find winter a good time to make a move too. Sellers often are more flexible about negotiations over prices and terms than they would in the spring.
People tend to get more realistic at this time of year with the holidays behind them, particularly if their Columbia SC home has been on the market since last summer or fall.
Find more news articles as they relate to selling a Columbia SC home in the Columbia SC Home Selling Tips section under Columbia SC Real Estate Categories to your right. And find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for daily updates we post there as well.
Many Columbia SC homeowners think they know their homes better than anyone, and it's probably true. But that doesn't mean they're the best person for the job when it comes to selling Columbia SC real estate, especially their own property.
Some sellers are tempted to try a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) transaction because the Columbia SC community is in the midst of a sellers' market and they think they can sell easily without help. Others try the FSBO route because they want to maximize their profits and avoid paying a commission to a real estate broker.
Statistics show that selling Columbia SC real estate with the assistance of a professional real estate broker or agent will usually garner a higher profit, enough to cover the commission as well as put more money in your pocket while minimizing your legal risks.
Selling Columbia SC Real Estate FSBO is Risky
Most Columbia SC real estate buyers today work with a buyer agent to represent their best interests. If you choose to sell your Columbia SC real estate on your own, you'll be negotiating with a professional and relying on your own skill to finalize a contract. Not only could you end up selling your Columbia SC real estate for less money, you could leave yourself open to potential legal problems unless you have the contract checked by an experienced real estate attorney.
Buyers also typically prefer to look at a home without the seller present so they can feel more comfortable exploring the rooms and visualizing themselves in the property. At an FSBO sale, you, as the seller, must be present.
Selling your Columbia SC real estate as a FSBO can be successful, but 90 percent of homeowners prefer to work with a professional rather than risk an unsatisfactory home selling experience.
For more helpful tips and articles on selling Columbia SC real estate, check out our other articles on Columbia SC Home Selling Tips under Columbia SC Real Estate Categories to your right.
If you're trying to sell your Columbia SC home and think remodeling or upgrading certain features of your home would be a waste of money, you should think again.
The cost of not making upgrades can be far greater than the small loss you'll incur on any home improvement projects. It can make the difference between getting multiple offers on your Columbia SC home, or getting no offers at all.
Features Buyers Want in a Columbia SC Home Today
1. Separate laundry room
Buyers who want this feature: 93 percent
Approximate cost to renovate: $2,800-$3,200 for an 80-square-foot space (replacing existing cabinetry, countertops, sink and flooring, painting the walls, and updating the plumbing and lighting fixtures)
2. Exterior lighting
Buyers who want this feature: 90 percent
Cost to buy and install: $150 to $250 per fixture
Exterior lighting is the most-wanted outdoor feature for a Columbia SC home, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
3. Energy Star windows
Buyers who want this feature: 89 percent
Cost to buy and install: $270-$800 per window
Swapping out your old windows for new energy-efficient versions will help your Columbia SC home stand out to buyers looking to save on utility costs.
4. Garage storage space
Buyers who want this feature: 86 percent
Cost to install: $2,200-$2,500 for a 380-square-foot space (including adding cabinets, a peg wallboard for tools and improved lighting and electrical circuits) Unlike an attic or backyard shed, the garage is easily accessible.
5. Eat-in kitchens
Buyers who want this feature: 85 percent
Cost to install: $1,000+
Making this particular improvement or change to your Columbia SC home can quickly escalate if you're knocking out a wall to make room for a dining table, so be careful with this one. It's not necessarily a do-it-yourself weekend project.
6. Walk-in pantry
Buyers who want this feature: 85 percent
Cost to install: Varies depending on design and location
Additional storage space in the kitchen is a big plus for potential buyers looking at your Columbia SC home. An added bonus would be the ability to tuck away mops and brooms neatly.
7. Wireless home security system
Buyers who want this feature: 50 percent
Cost to install: $100-$300
Installing a wireless home security system is less expensive than a hard-wired version and doesn't require professional assistance to install. Systems that can be easily controlled by a tablet or smart phone app are especially attractive.
If you're considering a system that is professionally monitored to notify police or fire departments as needed, they'll most likely provide installation for you, so installation costs for this feature may be next to nothing.
For more tips to help you sell your Columbia SC home, check out some of our other Columbia SC Home Selling Tips under Columbia SC Real Estate Categories to your right.
Here we are… another fall season upon us. If you're among the Columbia SC home sellers trying to make your home stand out in the list of homes for sale, here are some tips you should consider to keep your landscaping and exterior in top shape for those prospective home buyers.
Things Columbia SC Home Sellers Should Do Outside Now
Patch any brown areas of grass. After a whole summer of lawn care, don't let things go down now. Consider planting rye grass to keep your lawn looking green into the winter months. Most homeowners won't do this, so this simple chore could make your yard stand out when all the others brown out.
If your summer flowers are fading or wilting after a long season, create a new welcoming experience by replacing them with fresh mums and other fall friendly colorful flowers. A pumpkin and a bale of hay can create a nice welcome look on the front steps or porch.
Draw attention to your front entryway by adding a colorful fall wreath to your door.
Mulch your garden beds. This will provide an added layer of protection for your plants as winter creeps in. Rake leaves frequently; not only does it look better, but keeping loose debris from walkways creates a safer environment for potential buyers.
Provide adequate outdoor lighting. It won't be long before the days will be considerably shorter, which means buyers will need a well-lit path to your front door. Many Columbia SC home sellers forget that prospective buyers may also drive by a house they're interested in at night to see how well lit it is.
Pressure wash the exterior of your home – including the windows. As the leaves fall from the trees, your home will become more exposed to the scrutinizing eyes of potential buyers, so make sure it's appealing from the curb.
Things Columbia SC Home Sellers Should Do Inside Now
Add weather stripping to doors and windows if needed; the time to address a cold draft or air leak is before cold weather arrives.
Check your HVAC system. Also make sure your furnace has a new filter and have the system checked out by a professional. A buyer will be asking for this to be done during a home inspection anyhow, so go ahead and get it done now. It's better for you to discover any problems before a buyer brings it to your attention.
If you have a fireplace, chances are pretty good that you haven't used it in a long time, so it's a good idea to make sure it's clean and free from cobwebs.
Clean and/or store your seasonal furniture. It's always nice to give your outdoor furniture some TLC after it's provided hours of entertainment over the summer months.
Have your underground irrigation system prepared for the winter months if you won't be using it. Now is the time to begin thinking about taking care of this issue.
Follow these few simple tips now so you can join the Columbia SC home sellers who will be attending a closing soon when your house sells.
More articles about selling your Columbia SC home can be found in the Columbia SC Home Selling Tips section of our website under Columbia SC Real Estate Categories Categories.
When setting a price and trying to sell your Columbia SC home, conventional wisdom would have you think low-ball price. That thinking is not necessarily correct, however.
In residential real estate, the asking price is often as much about psychology as it is reality. Most home buyers don't realize that setting an asking price is primarily a negotiating tactic. When you set a list price, you're sending a signal to the market.
Many sellers overestimate the worth of their Columbia SC home, and some agents will start with a price that is too high to avoid hard feelings. Others agents may start high just to get the seller's business or, conversely, they'll price too low for a quick sale and commission.
When pricing your Columbia SC home for sale, remember one key thing. No one cares what you paid for the home. It's all about what it's worth in today's market.
Psychology of Pricing a Columbia SC Home
No one claims to fully understand the psychology of pricing a Columbia SC home. But some common practices have emerged. For example, research has found that an exact asking price, such as $595,475, often indicates that the price is less negotiable than a round number, such as $600,000. Perhaps those using precise pricing show confidence in their price.
Additionally, pricing at $599,900 rather than $600,000 influences buying decisions on a subconscious level. The home "seems way cheaper." And even when a Columbia SC home sells above asking price, the initial lower asking price can make buyers feel like they are getting a great deal. The goal is to make it stick in your head that you're getting a bargain. It's the way our brain looks at numbers.
Above all else, listen to your listing agent when he or she recommends a list price for your Columbia SC home. Your agent knows the market and what's selling. You have about a month to six weeks when your home hits the market before it starts to get stale and fade from prospective homebuyer's minds.
More articles about selling your Columbia SC home can be found in the Columbia SC Home Selling Tips section under Columbia SC Real Estate Categories Categories to your right.