So far this winter has been rather easy to take compared to last winter.   This week all that has changed…the polar vortex has made itself known to us once again and we have had our own snowmaggedon!  All 6+ inches of it.   Hahaha!  It is rather beautiful but it’s the extreme cold that makes it a little hard to take.   And it’s going to be this way for the rest of this week a least!   *SIGH*

Well, just when we thought spring was here (Feb. 8 = 70 degrees) and were getting all excited for the upcoming spring real estate market BAM!   No one is thinking that now.   HOWEVER, you should!   NOW is the time to get ready so when the weather does break, you are ready to go if you are planning to list your home especially.

But this applies to buyers as well.  Time to get your pre qualification done, and get with your agent to start the home search.  Education for buyers is key…knowing what’s out there, what you REALLY want and then being ready and qualified to make the move when you are ready.   Buyers often get disappointed when they lose a home they love because they are scrambling to get qualified before another, more prepared buyer swoops in and takes the home out from under them.

If you are a seller who also wants to buy, you must get your home ready for the market and listed.   Unless you are okay with owning two homes, most sellers need to get a contract so they can then buy a home,  You can’t get a contract on your home if it is not listed.   Sellers often look at homes to buy, fall in love then are disappointed when they find something they really like and lose it because they weren’t ready.   Now is the time to list!   BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE DOES!

And Buyers, Zillow/Trulia are fine tools but they are not accurate in their estimates – look at the ratings page on Zillow for the midwest…..it’s one star.   These online search engines also require you to register and then they sell your information. That’s their business model.   So be careful when going to those sites that are not about real estate but just search engines ….your best info comes from an agent thru the MLS.   Period.   And even if you find something on Zillow…you still need someone to manage your transaction….contracting, negotiating, inspections/deadline, insurance deadlines, loan contingencies and closing.

Sellers who think they will sell on their own also don’t understand that an agent may bring them a buyer but that agent is working for that buyer, not you the seller.   What your perceived savings is in commissions not paid is usually lost in sale price and/or inspections etc.

So while it’s so cold out, if you are thinking of buying or selling or both, now is the time to prepare and get listed and searching!  I’m here to help!