Some days in Indiana it feels like all four seasons in one day, and the best agents are always up to the task. Homes are sold 365 days a year, and listing your home in the fall actually has a number of benefits! We are always ready with market info and tips to sell your home in every season every day.

7 Reasons to Sell Your Home This Fall

1. People Are Shopping NOW

Serious buyers are out there. Buyers are shopping real estate inventory online day and night. We maximize this opportunity by posting our listings on major real estate websites and by marketing via multiple social media platforms.

We know that people are shopping year- round. Fall and winter buyers are serious buyers too. Not a lot of lookie-loos will traipse through mud or snow just to browse. So you may have fewer showings, but the prospects may be more motivated. Serious buyers continue to look for homes no matter the season.

2. Fast Approval = Fast Closing

The fact is, that fall and winter tend to be slower seasons for the real estate market. So, lenders slow down too. This can alleviate workloads for underwriters, processors and closers. As long as borrowers get their paperwork to their lender in a timely fashion, Loan Officers and staff are able to approve loans quickly. This can save both the seller and buyer money. Efficiency and accuracy are year round with a reputable lender, but shaving a few days off of the loan process means less stress for everyone. No sitting on pins and needles waiting for those magic words: Clear-to-Close. And for people looking now, this means they could be in their new home just in time for the holidays!

3. Fa-la-la-la Festive Feelings

Your home just looks so festive during the holidays! For many people this time of year is sentimental, so tap into buyer emotions. If you are selling during the holidays, decorate accordingly. Fall buyers will especially notice décor like if there are pumpkins on the porch or how well a home is lit. It’s nice to have an idea of what properties and neighborhoods look like on cloudy days when it gets dark before seven o’clock in the evening. A little fall foliage, greenery or twinkling lights can make any space more festive and welcoming.

4. Tax Breaks

Let us break it down for you: Tax breaks are the gifts that keep on giving! There are potential tax breaks for both sellers and buyers, so be sure to talk to your financial adviser about benefits and deductions. For many buyers shopping now, they might be even more motivated to close before the end of the year.

5. Less Competition

With fewer options on the market, the greater the probability that a buyer will look at your home. The Realtors Association of Central Indiana’s (RACI) most recent Local Market Update for Howard County shows that Inventory of Homes for Sale is down 14.1% compared to last year. This means less competition. Not only will less competition increase the probability for showings, but it will also increase the probability that an offer will be received and you will get the maximum amount of money for your home.

6. More Money for Y-O-U

The RACI Monthly Indicators Report reflects that 95.7% of homes sold in Howard County are receiving their original list price (or more)!

With the average sales price up 3.9% and the median sales price having increased by 6%, sellers are making more money while homes in Howard County are still remain very affordable for buyers.

We make it a priority to stay informed on what your market is doing. We know how to evaluate comparable properties, and we understand what drives the market and motivates buyers. It’s no accident that we consistently rank in the TOP 5 of Howard County Residential Home Sales. Our expertise and connections allow us to learn about listings before they hit the market and to also find buyers for your home and negotiate smoothly on your behalf.

7. You Can Buy Sooner

Selling your home in the fall or winter puts you in a position to make non-contingent offers. Even if you are just shopping homes, it’s always better to know your options up-front. So if you are selling and also looking to buy, be sure to get Pre-Approved with a lender. With limited numbers of listings, you will have an advantage in a competitive market when you do make an offer.

As your Realtors, we are constantly adapting to season and market changes.

If you are thinking about selling your home, a great place to start is by contacting us. We can provide you with a free Market Analysis of your home and also answer any questions you might have. No matter the season, Kokomo’s Home Team is here for your Real Estate needs!