Record-low mortgage rates and affordable prices are encouraging many home buyers to get out and shop this season, but what if you’re looking to sell your home?
The answer is to wait a little longer, if you can. The housing market has definitely improved in 2012, and the upswing is slated to continue through the remainder of the year. According to a recent forecast by Freddie Mac, sales of existing homes are expected to grow between 2% and 5% in 2012. And on the home pricing side, nearly three-fourths of Re/Max agents participating in a recent survey expect that home prices in their markets will have stopped declining by the end of the year. Combine these factors with an improving employment picture and rising consumer confidence, and 2013 is looking like the right time to put your home on the market.
However, this doesn’t mean you should put off preparations for a successful, smooth home sale. Use the months ahead to make strategic improvements that will contribute to home value and positive buyer impressions. Amp up curb appeal with lush, easy-care landscaping and a welcoming entryway, and make needed repairs indoors and out. It’s also key to stage your home for sale with a neutralized color scheme, edited furnishings and clutter-free décor.
Such smart investments will pique buyers’ interest in photo-driven online listings and win them over when they visit in person, ultimately giving you leverage for a selling price that’ll please all parties involved.
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