Now that Labor Day is behind us, the pace of life slows down just a bit in Harbor Country. Of course there are still a number of things to do and see, but the hustle and bustle of summer vacationers lends way to a quieter and more relaxed fall atmosphere.
The same can be true for the Harbor Country Real Estate market. As in any market across the nation, the spring and summer months are amongst the busiest and best times to buy or sell a home. However, this doesn’t mean that buying or selling a home in the fall doesn’t come with its own set of perks!
For instance, with the slower market, this means less competition for sellers. Buyers have a more limited inventory from which to choose. Buyer also find that sellers are more willing to negotiate due to the hopes of selling before the winter. Yet, on the flip side, sellers know that buyers are also looking to be in their new home before the festivities of the holiday season.
If you’re considering selling your Harbor Country home this fall, don’t get discouraged! Armed with a handful of home selling tips and an experienced Harbor Country Real Estate agent, you’ll find the home selling process can be a pleasant one!
Today, we wanted to highlight seven things you can do to help your Harbor Country home sell this fall. You won’t want to miss these tips!
1. Give your house a makeover that adds value and keeps it up with the Joneses'- That doesn't mean you should run out and completely renovate your kitchen. But if granite countertops are the norm, replace the laminate.
2. Use the secrets of staging experts, or hire one- Staging your Harbor Country home can be as easy as a fresh coat of paint, new cabinet hardware and strategically-placed lighting. Think of it as a creative, inexpensive facelift for your home.
3. Find out what's wrong with the house and get it fixed- This may seem obvious, but many homeowners put this off. Don't wait until that serious buyer finds faulty wiring or a termite problem and then pulls the plug on the deal. Be proactive. Get an inspection on your Harbor Country home before hitting the market.
4. Hire an aggressive, well-connected real estate agent- Find an experienced Harbor Country Real Estate agent with a proven track record and knows how to pound the pavement. In this market, name recognition is important, so find the go-to person for buyers and their agents in your community. If you’ve been hunting for a Harbor Country Real Estate agent; we’d love the opportunity to talk with you! With our customized home selling plan, we can get your home sold in a timely and efficient manner!
5. Help a buyer buy it- Offer incentives that put money in the buyer's pocket, such as buying down the interest rate, absorbing more of the closing costs or offering seller financing. Talk with your Harbor Country Real Estate agent about other options for incentives as their experience in the towns of New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Three Oaks, Grand Beach, Harbert and Sawyer can give you an insider’s guide to what buyers are looking for.
6. Consider renting or offering a lease option- Minimize the impact of two mortgages by renting your house out until you find a buyer. Or offer a lease option to a motivated buyer who doesn't have enough cash to buy a home outright. It may not be ideal, but if you’re feeling the stress of an immediate move; this can be a solid option until you find the right buyer. Renting is a very acceptable option in our vacation environment of Harbor Country!
7. Make the house move-in ready- Throw in the furniture, flat-screen TV, washer/dryer, appliances, and the kitchen sink. The less money a buyer will have to shell out to furnish the house (especially if it’s a vacation home), the higher the perceived value of your Harbor Country home.
2. Use the secrets of staging experts, or hire one- Staging your Harbor Country home can be as easy as a fresh coat of paint, new cabinet hardware and strategically-placed lighting. Think of it as a creative, inexpensive facelift for your home.
3. Find out what's wrong with the house and get it fixed- This may seem obvious, but many homeowners put this off. Don't wait until that serious buyer finds faulty wiring or a termite problem and then pulls the plug on the deal. Be proactive. Get an inspection on your Harbor Country home before hitting the market.
4. Hire an aggressive, well-connected real estate agent- Find an experienced Harbor Country Real Estate agent with a proven track record and knows how to pound the pavement. In this market, name recognition is important, so find the go-to person for buyers and their agents in your community. If you’ve been hunting for a Harbor Country Real Estate agent; we’d love the opportunity to talk with you! With our customized home selling plan, we can get your home sold in a timely and efficient manner!
5. Help a buyer buy it- Offer incentives that put money in the buyer's pocket, such as buying down the interest rate, absorbing more of the closing costs or offering seller financing. Talk with your Harbor Country Real Estate agent about other options for incentives as their experience in the towns of New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Three Oaks, Grand Beach, Harbert and Sawyer can give you an insider’s guide to what buyers are looking for.
6. Consider renting or offering a lease option- Minimize the impact of two mortgages by renting your house out until you find a buyer. Or offer a lease option to a motivated buyer who doesn't have enough cash to buy a home outright. It may not be ideal, but if you’re feeling the stress of an immediate move; this can be a solid option until you find the right buyer. Renting is a very acceptable option in our vacation environment of Harbor Country!
7. Make the house move-in ready- Throw in the furniture, flat-screen TV, washer/dryer, appliances, and the kitchen sink. The less money a buyer will have to shell out to furnish the house (especially if it’s a vacation home), the higher the perceived value of your Harbor Country home.
We hope these tips inspire you to take the next step in putting your home on the Harbor Country Real Estate market!
If you’d like to learn more about selling your Harbor Country home this fall, please contact us today! Our Shoreline Property Advisors and Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents are here to help you get your home sold!
