Is it a Good Idea to List My Home for Sale During the Winter?

If you are ready to sell your house, listing in winter can actually lead to really great results. January is a fantastic time to list your house, especially in mild Bay Area climates. (Aren’t we lucky?)

A Redfin study found that yes, homes tend to sell best in spring, but only by a small margin. And guess what? The next best time to sell a home turned out to be winter! Interestingly, winter home sales were only one percentage point lower than the figures for spring, with summer trailing quite a bit behind.

All real estate markets are different, but I have found that winter is a great time to sell. Why? The answer is simple: Supply and demand. Because many sellers wait until spring to put their home on the market, the sudden glut in inventory gives Buyers much more to choose from and makes the marketplace more competitive for Sellers. If you get your house listed a bit earlier before the mad dash, you may face less competition.

The most important part of the equation regarding when to list your home is to be sure and meet your own needs. Speaking to an experienced, compassionate real estate agent can help you to prioritize your needs for a smoother experience.

If you are thinking of making a move in 2022, give me a call!

5 Upgrades That Simply May Not Add Up if You are Planning to Sell Your Home Soon

When it comes to listing a property, I get plenty of questions from my clients that sound something like this:

“What renovations or repairs should I do to my home to get top dollar?” Or, “Will I get a higher price for my home if I put in new luxury vinyl plank flooring?”

Of course, the answer is never simple and honestly, the answer varies from home to home and neighborhood to neighborhood.

But today, I decided to flip the question on its head and ask, “What upgrades are unlikely to reap financial benefits if I plan to list my home soon?”

Although every home is different, it might be wise to think carefully before engaging in some of the following improvements if you are hoping to increase your home’s selling price:

Upgrade #1: State of the art utilities

Replacing pipes or wiring in your home? Great! It’s important to perform high quality repairs for infrastructure and you may opt for highest quality building materials. However, do not expect buyers to necessarily pay a premium on resale for these upgraded building materials. In fact, such materials might be an expectation for buyers rather than an upgrade. It’s important to get the repairs done safely and effectively, but high-end isn’t necessarily in your financial favor. Review your options carefully.

Upgrade #2: Extensive landscaping

Buyers love a well-maintained yard and it is an important feature for any newly listed home. However, because landscaping is highly dependent on personal preference, often a simple update with fresh flowers and sod may entice buyers just as effectively as a major landscape overhaul. For example, although you might enjoy having a water feature or a koi pond, prospective buyers might see it as a negative feature that will require constant upkeep and it may not be a cost-effective use of your money.

Upgrade #3: Backyard pool or hot tub.

If you decide to install a pool for your family to enjoy, by all means do so! Pools are great for kids, families and neighbors to enjoy getting to know each other and provide great exercise and fun. But remember, that some buyers see a pool as a money pit or a safety hazard for small children. If you decide to get a pool or hot tub in your backyard, make sure you are installing it for the right reasons and proceed cautiously. If you are adding a pool to increase the sale price of your home, spend the money elsewhere.

Upgrade #4: Trendy flooring and fixtures

Home interior trends change quickly. So, when choosing flooring, countertops, fixtures, and appliances, try to avoid the latest trends which may become dated quickly. Buyers appreciate a timeless look. Choose a neutral color palette and let the Buyer imagine herself living in the timeless, classic color scheme.

Upgrade #5: Solar panels

Solar panels are an outstanding way to cut down on energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint, but you may not recoup their value when you sell your home. In fact, some home sellers may be responsible for paying off the remaining balance on a payment plan before selling their home. Leased panels can become a pain point in sales negotiations as well. It’s important to make sure that you are installing solar panels because it is something you want to do and that it’s good for the earth, not because you think it will attract potential buyers.

Remember:

If you are performing improvements for your own family to enjoy and a home sale is not on the horizon, by all means add solar panels and enjoy basking in the sun by your new pool. It’s simply important to be aware that certain home improvements may be less likely to reap financial benefits than others.

Be Water Wise!

As California faces another year of drought, it’s a good time to review our personal practices and make a few tweaks to tighten up our own water usage. “A penny saved is a penny earned” definitely applies in a drought situation. Working together, our small changes can cumulatively result in big water savings.

I’ve put together a few easy tips to get you started.

1. Fix that leaky toilet

Not sure if your toilet is functioning properly? Place a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. Allow it to sit. If, without flushing, the coloring begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that may be wasting many gallons of water daily.

2. Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket.

Toss that used tissue or face wipe in the wastebasket and save up to 5 gallons per flush. It’s better for the septic system too!

3. Enjoy shorter showers

Limit your showers to the time it takes to soap up, wash down and rise off. Install a low-flow showerhead if you haven’t already. Does your water take a long time to heat up? Keep a bucket handy and use that “warming up” water to give your garden a drink.

4. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth

If seems obvious, but it’s important to avoid running water wastefully. Before brushing, wet your brush and fill a glass for rinsing your mouth. Use a cleaning wipe to spruce up the sink and vanity.

5. Turn off the water while shaving

Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of warm water in which to rinse your razor. You will be shocked at how much water you can save with such a small change.

6. Use your automatic dishwasher wisely

A dishwasher is actually a water-saving device when used prudently. Many dishwashers offer water-saving cycles. Check your owner’s manual to be sure you are using the best water-saving features your model offers.

7. Use your automatic washing machine only for full loads only

An average washing machine uses 30 to 35 gallons per cycle. Fill it up whenever possible. And again, check your owner’s manual to be sure you are using the best water-saving features from your model.

8. Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables

It seems obvious but remember to rinse your vegetables in a bowl or partially-filled sink instead of letting the faucet run.

9. When hand-washing dishes, rinse wisely

If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you have just one sink, rinse items briefly and in groups to use water more appropriately.

10. Water your lawn only when it needs it

Watering on a regular schedule doesn't allow for cool spells, or rainfall which reduce the need for watering. Watering in windy conditions can also be problematic. Consider trying a lawn app that, based on local weather conditions, advises the best time to water your lawn and garden.

11. Plant drought-resistant plants and mulch existing trees and plants

Check with your local nursery and discover many beautiful trees and plants that thrive without excessive irrigation. Existing plants appreciate a fresh application of mulch which slows the evaporation of moisture.

12. Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks, and steps

Don’t use a hose to clean sidewalks or driveways. Use a broom to keep the areas clear of debris and save hundreds of gallons of water.

Do you have water-saving tips that I haven’t mentioned? Please share your ideas for helping California through this water crisis—and beyond!