Tom Brezsny’s Real Estate of Mind

Provoking thought since 1990

Not every Seller gets to decide when they’re going to put their house on the market. Life occasionally intervenes and makes the decision for them. Unexpected events can push their timing forward or backward without consulting them first. But there are Sellers who do enjoy the luxury of being able to choose exactly when they want their Realtor to put the sign up, the lockbox on and start all the sales buzz.

Looking back over the last three decades, the big mystery to me is why so many Sellers choose their listing dates so poorly. And why so many others with the right intentions, end up missing the mark (and the market) due to their own conspicuous lack of proper prior planning.

If you are one of those people who’s thinking about putting their house on the market in 2022 here are a few suggestions:

~If you want to sell in 2022, start preparing now. It’s not too early. Doing it right takes longer than you think..

~This is your home and largest asset. The equity in it is crucial to your future. The process of selling it deserves your full attention and entire commitment.

~Selling a home can be stressful. Why add to the stress by putting things off ? Give yourself at least four months to prepare.

~You can still enjoy the holidays, but some things should be done now to make it easier to hit the ground running right after the first of the year.

~Don’t wait to interview Agents until your house is ready to sell. Enlist them now. There are strategic decisions they can help you with.

~Dealing with “stuff ” in your garage, attic, closets and drawers will be the hardest part of selling your home. Starting the purge now will discourage buying even more “stuff ” during the holidays.

~There is a right time to put your house on the market and a wrong time: March 1st to the 15th is the optimal window. May or June is already too late. And July and August are even worse.

~Weather is not a factor in the sale of your home. It doesn’t matter whether flowers are blooming or not. Waiting for the grass to turn green is an excuse people use to procrastinate.

~Sellers always want the best outcomes. The most money. The fastest escrows. The longest rent backs. But they aren’t always prepared to do the things that will give their Agents and their listings the best chances to succeed. If you want top dollar, you have to do everything right.