Monday, January 3, 2011

In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.
Warren Buffett

Which is the Best Season to Sell Your Home?

Realizing the time has come to sell your home can create mass confusion. Timing is everything in real estate; however, some also believe one season is better than another to sell your home.

If you ask a real estate professional when you should sell your home, most will say, "Now is the best time to sell your home".

Real estate today is a year-round business, and most agents will agree that they do nearly as much business in December as in June.

If that is the case, then how do you decide which is the best time of year to list your home? Each season has its own characteristic. Let's review each one.

According to most real estate professionals, spring is the busiest time of the year for buyers and sellers -- spring offers the opportunity to showcase their home at its best. There's always something nice about listing your home when it's not too hot or too cold out and the air is fresh.

If you have a green thumb, summer might prove to be the best time to show off your garden. Potential buyers come through houses looking for such amenities as a well-cared-for garden. Also, if your kids are away for the summer, you might be able to keep their rooms clean from one showing to another. If you have central air, this season is also a great time to show it off. This is also a great time to boast about any access to summer recreational activities such as a beach, a lake, or community tennis courts or swimming pools.

A possible downside to showing a house in the summer is that most kids are home, and you'll have to work harder to ensure their rooms are maintained clean enough for buyers to get through them.

Even though falling leaves could make for extra work in the fall, with children back at school, daytime showings might be easier to accommodate. The tax benefits of home ownership can be a push for homebuyers to get into a new home by December 31.

Fall is historically a shorter selling season. A home that doesn't sell in the fall can be stigmatized as being held over on the market until the New Year. An old listing number in the MLS can give buyers the misleading impression that a home has been on the market for a long time and the seller might be willing to accept a lower offer.

Real estate professionals agree that only the most motivated buyers and sellers are active in the market during the winter season.

If you decide to sell your home in the winter, expect the unexpected. You will come across buyers who want showings at odd hours, or during your family holiday parties. At this time of year, you can expect potential buyers to track mud, snow, and salt through your home

In conclusion, how do you decide which is the best season to sell? As discussed, every season offer some plusses and minuses. If you want to list your home in the spring, you might want to list in mid-January, rather than waiting for February or March. On the other hand, you might get even more attention if you wait until mid-March, when many of the spring houses have already come on the market and buyers are hungry for something new.

Real estate is an industry of immediacy. It's always a good time to sell your home if the price is right, no matter what the season.

Chris Colgan
Re/Max Regency
www.ChrisColgan.com
703-485-1435

Check out our Listing in the Plains VA

Offered at $579,500

4117 KINGSCHASE LN
The Plains, VA

Click Here for More Information
   DESCRIPTION
FEATURED LISTING

CUSTOM CAPE WITH 2 SPACIOUS MASTER SUITES*HOME SITS ON 7 WONDERFUL ACRES*PRIVATE POND ON THE PROPERTY*PLENTY OF WILDLIFE*LOWER LEVEL WITH LARGE FAMILY ROOM WITH FIREPLACE,SEPERATE KITCHEN, BEDROOM AND FULL BATH*SEPERATE PARCEL WITH .6 ACS AND POND TAX ID 6080-00-5246 INCLUDED*MAY HAVE POTENTIAL TO BUILD SECOND HOME ON PROPERTY
   PROPERTY DETAILS
•  Single Family Home•  Built in Unspecified•  4 bedrooms 
•  Colonial•  7 acres lot•  4 bathrooms 
•  3+ Stories•  Unspecified Area
   PROPERTY FEATURES
•  Central Air•  Main Floor Bedroom•  W-W Carpeting
•  Forced Air Heat•  Walk-in Closet(s)•  Ceiling Fan(s)
•  Dining Room•  Fireplace(s)

   SELLER CONTACT INFO
Chris Colgan
Remax Regency
10550 Linden Lake Plz
Manassas
Virginia 20109
703-485-1435
chris@chriscolgan.com

   Posted: December 09, 2010

Check out our foreclosure listing in Fairfax Station

Offered at $767,900

8265 CRESTRIDGE RD
Fairfax Station, VA

Click Here for More Information
   DESCRIPTION
FEATURED LISTING

Bank Owned Brick colonial with spectacular setting on 5 acres! Backs to lush trees. Gorgeous quarry tile, hardwood flrs, 1st flr BR w/full bath. Finished Basement
   PROPERTY DETAILS
•  Single Family Home•  3+ Car Garage•  3704 sq. ft. living area (not counting basement) Area
•  Colonial•  Built in 2002•  4 bedrooms 
•  3+ Stories•  5 acres lot•  4.5 bathrooms  (1 or more with tubs or showers)
   PROPERTY FEATURES
•  Central Air•  Walk-in Closet(s)•  W-W Carpeting
•  Forced Air Heat•  In-Law/Guest Suite•  Tile Floors
•  Breakfast Area•  Laundry•  Ceiling Fan(s)
•  Dining Room•  Walk-out Basement•  Cathedral Ceiling(s)
•  Family Room•  Fireplace(s)•  Kitchen Island
•  Main Floor Bedroom•  Hardwood Floors•  Dishwasher/Disposal

LOT FEATURES

Mountain ViewNear School(s)Near Shopping Center(s)

   SELLER CONTACT INFO
Chris Colgan
Remax Regency
10550 Linden Lake Plz
Manassas
Virginia 20109
703-485-1435
chris@chriscolgan.com

   Posted: December 03, 2010

Check out out listing in Montclair.

Offered at $180,000

4202 Jonathan Ct
Dumfries, VA

Click Here for More Information
   DESCRIPTION
FEATURED LISTING

APPROVED SHORT SALE *SUBJECT TO THIRD PARTY BANK APPROVAL*BUYER TO PAY FOR ALL INSPECTIONS*CHARMING 3-LEVEL TH WITH FRONT PORCH. HARDWOOD FLOORS IN FOYER/DINING/LIVING*LARGE EAT-IN KITCHEN*FAMILY ROOM WITH FIREPLACE AND FRENCH DOORS LEADING TO LARGE DECK BACKING TO WOODS*DUAL MASTER SUITES WITH VAULTED CEILINGS*SPACIOUS FINISHED WALK-OUT BASEMENT WITH FULL BATH AND SEPARATE LAUNDRY AREA OPENS TO WOOD PATIO...
   PROPERTY DETAILS
•  Condo/Townhouse•  Built in 1988•  2 bedrooms 
•  Colonial•  0.04 acres lot•  4 bathrooms 
•  3+ Stories•  1320 sq. ft. living area (not counting basement) Area
   PROPERTY FEATURES
•  Central Air•  Status: Active •  Bathroom(s) on main floor
•  Forced Air Heat•  County: PRINCE WILLIAM •  Basement level is 640 sq. ft.
•  Dining Room•  Subdivision: MONTCLAIR •  Fireplace(s)
•  Family Room•  Year Built: 1988 •  Parking features: Assigned
•  Walk-in Closet(s)•  2 total bedroom(s) •  Heating features: Electric, Heat Pump(s)
•  Den/Office•  4 total bath(s) •  Central air conditioning
•  Walk-out Basement•  3 total full bath(s) •  Cooling features: Ceiling Fan(s), Electric
•  Hardwood Floors•  1 total half bath(s)•  Exterior construction: Vinyl siding
•  W-W Carpeting•  Approximately 1960 sq. ft. •  Lot is 1577 sq. ft.
•  Ceiling Fan(s)•  Three story •  Approximately 0.03 acre(s)
•  Cathedral Ceiling(s)•  Type: Fee simple, Interior unit •  Lot size is less than 1/2 acre
•  Fenced Yard•  Style: Colonial, Townhouse •  Call agent for details on association fee info.
•  Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op •  Basement

LOT FEATURES


   SELLER CONTACT INFO
Chris Colgan
Remax Regency
10550 Linden Lake Plz
Manassas
Virginia 20109
703-485-1435
chris@chriscolgan.com

   Posted: July 07, 2010

Listing in Braemar, Bristow VA

Offered at $329,000

12446 IONA SOUND DR
Bristow, VA

Click Here for More Information
   DESCRIPTION
FEATURED LISTING

Normal Sale*Three finished levels*Shows like a model* Hardwoods in the foyer,LR,DR,FR and powder room...gas fireplace w/ black granite surround*Great master bedroom with luxurious master bath*Beautifully finished lower level with full bath and a den*Great room sizes through out...deck, professionally landscaped*Listing Agent and Owners are Related
   PROPERTY DETAILS
•  Single Family Home•  Built in 1999•  2260 sq ft sq. ft. living area (not counting basement) Area
•  3+ Stories•  .15 acres lot•  3 bedrooms 
   PROPERTY FEATURES
•  Central Air•   Status: Active•  Kitchen is 10 X 16
•  Dining Room•   County: PRINCE WILLIAM•  Basement level is 580 sq. ft.
•  Family Room•  Subdivision: BRAEMAR•  Parking features: Driveway/Off Street
•  Walk-in Closet(s)•  Approximately 0.14 acre(s)•  Forced air heat
•  Den/Office•  3 total full bath(s)•  Lot size is less than 1/2 acre
•  Laundry•  1 total half bath•  Call agent for details on association fee info.
•  Fireplace(s)•  3 stories•  Cooling features: Ceiling Fan(s), Electric,Cooling
•  Hardwood Floors•  Type: Detached home, Fee simple•  Basement
•  W-W Carpeting•  Family room•  Fireplace
•  Tile Floors•  Kitchen•  Dining room
•  Ceiling Fan(s)•  Master Bedroom is 13 X 12•  Hardwood floors
•  Cathedral Ceiling(s)•  Living room is 10 X 12•  Master Bedroom
•  Kitchen Island•  Dining room is 10 X 12•  LivingRoom
•  Dishwasher/Disposal•  Family room is 11 X 13•  MainFloorBathroom

   SELLER CONTACT INFO
Chris Colgan
Remax Regency
10550 Linden Lake Plz
Manassas
Virginia 20109
703-485-1435
chris@chriscolgan.com

   Posted: December 06, 2010
I hope everyone has a great 2011!! check out our website www.ChrisColgan.com