Next weekend,
When other sellers are thinking the same thing, that houses don't sell in the winter, have yours on the market before listing inventories climb in the spring. There are fewer to choose from but the buyers haven't gone anywhere. The winter is the best time to buy because you can see the property at it's worst.

The pre-spring months of winter are good and even fall is good. Basically, when you are ready to sell is the best time. There will always be market influences which will affect the time it takes to sell and the price that you can get.

List it soon to allow the first time home buyers to buy that qualify for the tax credit which was extended but which will expire the end of April. Chuck 410-375-4775

Hi George, you have certainly received lots of great ideas, and I tend to agree late February/early March should be the beginning of the spring sale season.
I wanted to mention, without putting a damper on your plans, something that no one has brought up. It is simply where will interest rates be by then? I think most experts feel strongly the amount of money pumped into the economy by the various stimulus plans will cause some amount of inflation sooner or later. Higher rates mean less folks can qualify, and their corresponding payments will be higher. Presently, we are enjoying some of the lowest mortgage interest rates ever. The question becomes when will the inflationary pressures outweigh government intervention in the Mortgage Backed Securities Market? I sincerely think timing your sale to conclude BEFORE the rates increase may me more important than timing the spring marketing season. I hope these comments help, and I do not mean to be a damper as I said! Jim

George,

As you are aware, timing is an important condiseration and you have received sage advice here. Some other things that you need to consider are mortgage rate trends, condition of the property, market activity and how you feel about pricing. These are all things that you should discuss with the Realtors you interview.

I am an Accredited Staging Professional and provide this service. Call me for more information.

If I can be of service, you can contact me via my website. I have extensive experience in your Zip Code, Columbia and Howard County.

George,

I noticed you received many opinions from other professionals and will share my thoughts as well. Spring has generally been the best selling season, however, it is also the season most homes go on the market. What this means to you is that you will have more competition which can be a good thing if your home stands out in your neighborhood with a special feature, upgrade, beautiful lawn, etc. Buyers will compare and of course look first for the best price which is true in any market. I would suggest early spring is best as parents would look to purchase and settle by school end. Parents usually would like their children in their new neighborhoods by early summer, meeting new friends and getting acquainted with their new surroundings.

Most couples still plan their weddings in spring and fall and generally if their plans include purchasing a home, like to have that transaction concluded before the wedding.

Time of listing is important, George, but more important is listing your home properly. This is even more important in our current selling market. You dont want to list too high, and turn possibly buyers away and you do not want to list too low and find out you could have sold for more!

Let me know if I can be of assistance or if you have any additional questions or concerns.

regards,
John

George,

Certainly end of Feb / beginning of March is fine as well. There is no way to give you a right answer here, as the question is too general. Many factors go into your decision such as your personal situation, how many competitors maybe on in your neighborhood and other factors such as would your potential buyer need schools. Or your lot, where leaves on the trees maybe advantageous to block a bad view or where you have a great view and don't want leaves.

Please contact me, so I can see your home first hand. Then I will be able to give you an educated answer.

George

In years past, the market starts to get active with Spring time buyers in late February to early March. Each season tends to differ slightly, but I expect the market to continue the strength we have seen building in the last four months going forward.

There's nothing like mentioning that you're planning to sell your home to bring you lots of Trulia answers, George! While each year is a little different, I like to bring my townhouses on the market the first week of March, assuming we don't have snow! This is for a couple of reasons. First, townhouse buyers are often first-time buyers, and they're doing their income taxes in February, learning how much they would save by purchasing a home. Second, this year, my phone went crazy with those same folks, anxious to get started and beat the market, which they perceived would start in April. Finally, many of my townhouse sellers become buyers, and this timing gives them, in turn, the jump on the spring market when the single family houses come on.

I'd love to give you a market analysis, help you plan your market timing more specific to your situation and your house, and get ready to show your house to the most buyers possible with the absolute best, most varied, list of proven marketing techniques out there (which is why my brokerage sells 28% of the houses in Howard County!).

If you wish to take advantage of any potential upswing in prices in 2010, the right time in my opinion would be late May or early June. In Feb/March you are still impacted by the 2009 winter market ranges. However if your goal is to sell before the summer you may have to list it in Feb or early March to manage your risks properly. Remember however that a large group of buyers make their moves after school closes. If you need a proposal/analysis let me know.

George,

I always get my clients to prepare to list during the winter months by cleaning, organizing, making any necessary repairs, etc for an early spring season. Starting at the first of March or even earlier if the weather is not too bad. It never hurts to get your property on the market early for the spring market as long as you have your home clean and staged to sell. Give me a call if you need help. Not only can I help you stage your home, but I have a great track record for listing and selling homes. I can give you some references of my prior selling clients.

Thanks Brian. Is there any harm in listing it the month prior, say the end of Feb./early March. Would I be mis-timing my splash into the market?

Excuse me, I meant to say late April.....end of March to end of April is a great time!

Generally, late March thru late May our some of the best times of year to list. However, you should consider having your Realtor selected well in advance. It is never too early to start interviewing agents.

Please let me show you what I can do. My average seller negotiates less and sells faster than market averges.