Gentlemen (and ladies), start your engines: It's time to sell! As we round the corner into the third month of 2008, it's time to rev up your plans, clean up your home, contact your experienced REALTOR and get your home on the market to sell.
You've been thinking about selling your home in Northern Virginia and I know why:
Yes, the advantage in the marketplace has most certainly shifted to the buyers. Homes in Northern Virginia are selling for an average of 8-10% below the listing price. More and more sellers are offering to pay some or all of purchaser's closing costs. Foreclosures and short sales are affecting prices and values in various neighborhoods.
Nonetheless, you may not have a choice. Sometimes you need to sell your home:
Also, if you've been hoping to move to a new neighborhood in Northern Virginia or move up from a condo to townhouse or single family home, the buying opportunities are plentiful right now.
Regardless, whatever the reason for selling your current home, NOW IS THE TIME. Real estate sales in Northern Virginia typically follow a very seasonal pattern.
Please study the chart below:
As you can see, May through August are the busiest months for real estate sales. In fact, over 41% of all sales for the year 2007 occurred during those 4 months (similar patterns are seen every year). Contrast that with September through December which accounts for less than 25% of all sales for the year.
The average time a home spends on the market in Northern Virginia is hovering right around 90 days. Thus, the window of opportunity for maximizing the chance that your home sells is now wide open. The next three months present the best time period for putting your home on the market with the assistance of your Northern Virginia REALTOR.
For more information you'll want to read:
How Many Homes Sold in 2007? How Many Will Sell in 2008? Will Yours Be One of Them?
If you are also planning to purchase a new home, the following information will simplify the process:
Let Me Search for Homes While You Drink Your Morning Coffee
So, start up those engines now, and you'll be crossing the finish line, while the rest of the competition is still making their way around the first lap.
Call me at 703-626-0715 or contact me by e-mail to get started today.
Brian Block is proud to serve the Northern Virginia real estate market. View his website for the latest listings and homes for sale in Northern Virginia and search all active homes.
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Just when I was about to say "Short and sweet, I like it" I saw the graph and the rest of the story. LOL. Well, it's STILL a great post, and I hope it brings you some sellers AND buyers!
This is very good. I can't figure the colors on the graph, but the message is clear.
Thanks. We'll presented and easy to understand.
Hi Brian, the market is a great time to buy and sell sure you may sell for less than anticipated but you are going to buy for less to and when the market changes back and it always does...your new home will have a greater appreciated value if you are buying up. Nice post Brian.
The market is revving up... Buyers and sellers are both tired of winter and want to start buying and selling!
MARGARET: Thanks for your comment. It was about time to get this message out. Spring is on its way.
LENN: Thanks for your compliments. The red represents the hot time of year to sell.
GARY: Thanks for your comments and compliments. Your words are true.
JAMES: It is revving up. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
You always make it clear and concise for all the buyers and seller that are going to have your phone non stop ringing!
We have seen activity pick up here also and I agree now is the time and Spring and summer is the market that typically is the most active
Brian, I agree. You have to sell when you have to sell. And there are buyers. The market will determine the price. Now we are coming into the "hot" season, so "on your mark!" AJ
SALLY: Thanks for the kind words and I hope you are right about the phone ringing.
TERRY: The big selling months are approaching.
ALAN: Thanks for your comment. The buyers are starting to come out in droves. I've got my engines tuned up and revved for driving my buyers around town.
How will the election affect your market? I heard at the RE/MAX Convention that new people flow into D.C. with each election, but a relatively small number ever go back to their home states -- I guess they just become lobbyists....
NAOMA: Thanks for your comment and compliment. Hope everything is going well.
ANN: The election certainly does affect our market. I wrote a post about this: Obama, Romney, Hillary, Giuliani, Huckabee? Real Estate Wins No Matter What
Hi Brian. Thanks for reading my posts. Yours are cool. I look forward to reading more.
Ken
KEN: Thanks for your comment and for stopping by my blog.
Brian, great post and I'm glad Jason sent me your way to read it. Excellent message and I agree, now is the time folks!
Brian, I really like the graph...it shows in a very clear way what the advantages are for buying during various times of the year. Very helpful information to local buyers. Congratulations on your selection for the Blogger's Choice Spotlight!
Brian-you write some of the best localism info and I really like how it is presented...I do believe there is a buying season every year. Congrats...this post was selected for the Blogger's Choice Selections.
I gotta get on the ball...those four months are crucial here as well. :)
KAREN: Thanks for your comment and compliment. Get selling everybody!
LOLA: Thanks for your comment. I appreciate the compliments. Just one thing to point out -- while this information certainly can be helpful to buyers, it is more geared towards people planning to sell their homes to provide guidance on the busiest sales season.
MIDORI: Thanks for the blue ribbon. I appreciate it.
SALLY: Giddyap!
Love the chart and great info, I need to do one for southern VA.
DEE DEE: Thanks for your comments. I'd imagine the numbers would be fairly similar.
WOW - you got a blue ribbon! What a very nice post - are you an artist or writer on the side? LOL
APRIL: Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you liked the post. I can't say that I'm either an artist or a writer.
Brian...Wow, 2 Mentions for the Blogger's Choice Spotlight! I enjoyed this post the first time around, and this demonstrates WHY it is important to have additional forums in which QUALITY work can be recognized for what is is. Great job...again. And this is for REAL...not just April Fools. :)
Congrats Brian-this post was selected for the bloggers choice selections once again...a good article is timeless! :)
LOLA: Thanks. It's quite an honor to have 2 mentions for Blogger's Choice Spotlight.
MIDORI: Thanks for the second blue ribbon. Quite honored!