Priscilla Toomey: Preparing for the Spring 2014 Market--It's Already Here
Dec. 31, 2013: If you are considering selling your house in the spring 2014 market, know that the spring market has already arrived. There are buyers eager to go to weekend open houses in the snow, not to mention many individual showings by agents then.
As we have been saying, inventory is in painfully short supply at the moment in Bronxville Village and buyers want to get a "jump" on the market.
Some sellers, too, want to take advantage of supply and demand leaning in their favor and are willing to allow their houses to be shown, even on sloppy days.
If a sale is in your plans, now is the time to prepare as quickly as you can and get your house on the market as soon as you can. The buyers are there and the "official" start of the spring market, the Monday after Super Bowl Sunday, isn't far off, although some sellers want to take advantage of current market conditions and are eager to sell without waiting.
The first step, if you haven't already done so, is to de-clutter. Just what does that mean? Store or get rid of as much "stuff" as you can. Browse through "shelter magazines" like Architectural Digest to see how homes there look--so you can get as close to that look as possible with your own home.
Keep in mind that we live in a visual world, so photos are vital to promoting your property. It's best to work with a professional photographer if you possibly can. Their wide-angle lenses and correct resolution make the world of difference in what prospective buyers will see on the Internet, which is where the vast majority of them begin their search. Also, keep in mind that if you haven't had photos taken and the photos that are taken now show your house surrounded by snow, have those photos retaken as soon as we're past the snow season.
Buyers tend to respond to the emotional pull of the kitchen or some other aspect of a house. You as a seller, however, are supposed to be objective about the place you have considered your "ivy-covered cottage" for several years. For you to do that, you need to see your house as a commodity once it goes on the market. Feedback from both your agent and prospective buyers should be viewed dispassionately, not defensively. With your focus on reaching agreement with a buyer on price and terms, you will be in the best position to do what you need to do to "get the deal done."
This is the first in a series of three articles. The next two will cover "What to Renovate . . . Or Not" and "Pricing it Right."
Pictured here: Priscilla Toomey, associate broker, JD, ABR, Top5, certified EcoBroker, SRES with Julia B. Fee/Sotheby's International Realty; cell, 914-559-8084; e-mail,
Photo courtesy Julia B. Fee/Sotheby's International Realty
