Home prices are falling in many places. Is it time to throw in the towel before things get worse?
Q: Is now a good time to sell my house, before it loses more equity, or should I wait until house prices go up again? What’s the best time of year to sell?
A: You didn’t say where you live, so I’m going to hop on my “all real estate is local” soapbox and proffer a broad response. As I’ve already implied, home-selling potential always comes down to the nuances of local markets, specific ZIP codes and even specific blocks.
A great location can trump factors such as unemployment rates, low or high mortgage rates, mortgage access and other variables.
For example, a classic home on a tree-lined block near a prestigious university will always be in demand, despite the economy.
The same goes for a quaint house that overlooks a lake or forest or one with a mountain view.
Markets in most parts of the country are closer to turning around than tailing off, with some notable exceptions. So I wouldn’t let the anticipation of further losses force your hand. If you’re resolved to wait for a vigorous run-up in value akin to what we saw in the middle of the previous decade, however, your wait could be long and futile.
Again, don’t mistakenly base your marketing strategy on the health of the overall market. Things such as comparative sales or “comps,” investment potential, mortgage-lending standards and interest rates are important in determining your potential homebuyers. But the product on hand — your specific address — should be the chief focus.
An accomplished agent can help you identify your home’s relative strengths and show you how to emphasize them. But hire carefully.
As for the best time of year to sell your home, the stock response is still spring because that’s when most buyers emerge. This is largely because a spring purchase allows families to plan moves that won’t uproot their kids from their schools in the middle of the term.
Today, “spring” really means “late winter.” If you want to sell next year, have your house on the market and ready for showings by mid- to late February. Many potential buyers are starting searches as early as possible because they also must sell their current home to make the purchase work.
There will be plenty more foreclosures and short sales emerging on the market in the spring, however.
Another option: If you are happy where you’re living and aren’t tanking under a top-heavy mortgage, you could simply choose to sit tight for another year or two for additional clarity. After all, a home is a shelter first and an investment second.
It’s a fine line you must walk.
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