Springtime means sell, sell, sell!

The word is now out that sales this January were down 24 percent
from January 2005. Vince Malta, president of the California
Association of Realtors, weighed in with the following:
”
We expected January sales to fall below the record that was set
in January 2005. The decrease was intensified by interest rates
crossing the key psychological threshold of 6 percent in the last
quarter of the year, and by weakness in consumer confidence due to
the residual effects of Hurricane Katrina. However, interest rates
remain near their historic lows, and we expect sales activity to
accelerate as we move into the traditional selling season.
”
Springtime means sell, sell, sell!

The word is now out that sales this January were down 24 percent from January 2005. Vince Malta, president of the California Association of Realtors, weighed in with the following: “We expected January sales to fall below the record that was set in January 2005. The decrease was intensified by interest rates crossing the key psychological threshold of 6 percent in the last quarter of the year, and by weakness in consumer confidence due to the residual effects of Hurricane Katrina. However, interest rates remain near their historic lows, and we expect sales activity to accelerate as we move into the traditional selling season.”

What is the selling season? The historical sales data of the National Association of Realtors identifies April through July as the peak months of activity, accounting for 40 percent of the year’s total. ‘Tis the season of “For Sale” signs springing out of the Earth like the first tulips of the season, bright beacons of color dotting the landscape.

Why is this? The weather is better (Less of the dread mud!) and more conducive to viewing the swelling inventory of properties. Many buyers have a tax refund they’d like to use toward their down payment before it disappears. Parents start thinking about moving while the kids are out of school, minimizing the difficulty of a possible school change.

The Internet has actually begun to expand the selling season because as many as 80 percent of all homebuyers start their search online in the warmth and comfort of their own homes. This begins to translate into more activity earlier in the year. Last week in San Benito County 73 transactions were posted on the multiple listing service, including 34 new listings and 15 sales contracts. South Santa Clara County had 174 transactions with 54 new listings and 33 properties accepting sales contracts. So it is definitely not too early to think, “Sell.”

One of the first things to consider is hiring a professional home inspector. Most likely your potential buyer will hire an inspector to examine the house, so you might as well save yourself any surprises down the road. The American Society of Home Inspectors members typically check drainage conditions, exterior surfaces, decks, chimney, the roof, windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, furnace, air conditioner, insulation, electrical, heating, and plumbing systems. Your local Realtor can put you in touch with a good inspector. We deal with them all the time and know who’s good.

Once all systems are repaired or given the thumbs-up, then you should work on appearances. The most cost-effective ways to improve the look of your home are to shampoo or replace your carpets and to repaint any walls that show wear. Once again your agent can help you find good service providers.

Get rid of all your extra clutter. Some people like to hold a garage sale to get rid of all the extra stuff. Others donate it to charity. If you have a lot of furnishings, put some of them in storage. You want potential buyers to visualize their own things in the room. If there isn’t enough breathing room around your furniture, they’ll think the house is too small to hold their prized possessions.

Create good curb appeal. First impressions last. Make sure the view pulling up to the property is a great one. For heaven’s sake, mow that lawn and prune those trees and bushes!

Paint the front door with a fresh burst of color. Fill some planters near the front door and plant some colorful annuals in the front yard. And don’t forget to remove any cobwebs and clean that front doorbell. (Have you done that since the sticky fingers of Halloween were on the move? I thought not.)

If you’re planning on moving during this peak time, you have to plan ahead. Since 60 percent of all moves occur during the summer, you’ll want to make sure you have your movers booked in plenty of time. Your local real estate professional can help you find a good mover.Remember, moving companies are regulated so the prices are the same whether you employ a seasoned professional or starving college students who hope to become starving artists.

The assistance provided by a real-estate professional has been mentioned several times. Do you have a Realtor you know and trust? If so, elicit help. If not, start interviewing now! Find someone who looks at the world the same way you do. It will make the stress and strain of buying and selling so much more enjoyable.

Once you select a Realtor, he or she can fine-tune the activities you need to undertake to prepare for a sale. You also will want a market analysis of your home to make sure your home is priced competitively and appropriately. Everyone thinks their own home is special. It’s hard to be objective with your own property. Take your agent’s advice.

And be kind to your Realtor!