Posted on

Ready, Set, Fall! Fall kicks off the 2nd Largest Season for Real Estate Sales

Yes, it’s typical. In August, real estate sales can slow down as peak season buyers and sellers get settled in to their new homes, families squeeze out the last days of summer sun, and the kids head back to school. In August there is a lull before the second peak season of the year, the Fall home buying/selling season.

And we expect this year’s Fall market to be robust with the rise of the Millennial buyer and a large pool of Baby Boomer buyers in the market. The fall market is often dominated by those that don’t need to abide by the school schedule. And with the crazy season we’ve experienced during spring/summer, understandably there were lots of buyers that chose to sit out this year’s busy season. This all means that there’s likely lots of buyers out there, and with less competition and craziness in the Fall, we expect it to be a robust Fall home buying season.

So, if you have been considering selling your home, now may just be the perfect time as there are lots of buyers waiting in the wings and mortgage rates remain favorable. This is also a great time of year to capture buyers that are relocating to Atlanta for jobs and new opportunities as many companies do their relocations in the third and fourth quarter of the year.

If you are ready to jump on this prime time to capture Fall buyers, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you prepare:

Take photos sooner rather than later.

In the few weeks now before all the leaves start falling off the trees, get your home photographed. Late summer, while everything is still green and the angle of the sun is good, is an ideal time to have your photography and videography done. Even if you’re not considering selling until later in the fall or winter, getting your home filmed now will set it apart from the stark gray and leafless look of late fall and winter photography.  

List before the holiday lull kicks in.

Once Thanksgiving comes, most folks enter full-blown holiday mode and nothing much moves in the housing market. So, plan accordingly and decide if you’d like to list before or after the holidays.

Hold off on holiday decor.

If you decide to list once the holiday season – including Halloween – begins, keep your decorations modest and to a minimum. You want your home to be the star of the show, not your decorations so keep them subtle so they don’t distract would-be buyers from seeing the true beauty and character of your home.

Do create a cozy atmosphere.

Cooler weather can be a great time to highlight the indoor livability and coziness of your home. Light a fire and make sure each room of your home is well lit to help buyers feel the hominess while they’re out touring during cooler weather and shorter, darker days.

So remember, just because you didn’t list during the summer, doesn’t mean you missed your chance. Fall is a great time to sell and I’d love to help you make the most of this great time of year to list.

~Jess

Posted on

Buying an Investment Property: Vacation Home Edition

How many times have you been to a gorgeous vacation destination and thought, “yes, I could live here?” Well, maybe this is the year that you do it! Yep, buy a vacation home. What do you think? If you’re considering it, this post is for you because it’s not quite the same as buying your primary home. There are some tips and advice I have for you that will  help you make an informed, wise – and really exciting – decision.

Picking the Location

When picking the perfect location to buy a vacation home, there are a few considerations. Choose a location that you’re familiar with that really resonated with you and your family. Make sure it’s a place you want to keep visiting again and again. Visit multiple times with the eyes and ears of owning a home there. Remember, owning a vacation home is different than a primary residence, so maybe you’d consider a lower maintenance home like a condo or townhome.

What’s your goal?

Before beginning the process of buying a vacation home, you need to know what you and your family’s goal is with the home. Are you planning to keep it for yourselves and sell when your family’s needs change. For example, buying a condo near Disney World may be less usable when your kids get older. Or perhaps you want a property in a hot short-term rental market so that you can make money on it when you’re not there. Do you want it to be a property you keep in the family and pass on to your children?

What will it cost?

Once you’ve decided on a location, I can help you determine the cost of ownership in that area so you can have a solid understanding of how the vacation home fits into your budget. We will consider the costs of financing, costs of owning the home, the tax and maintenance implications; even the costs to travel to and from you vacation home. Remember, the mortgage for a vacation home will have different terms and requirements so let’s figure it all out so you have no surprises.

Assemble a good team

Finally, you’ll want to assemble a trustworthy team that includes a local real estate agent, lender (if needed), and a possibly a property management firm to help be your eyes and ears when you’re not there. Make sure that you are also getting good legal and financial advice on how to structure the purchase, especially if it is in a foreign country.

In addition to being a Realtor®, I am a real estate attorney, so please reach out if you would like my advice on your purchase or help finding a Realtor® in the area where you are considering buying your vacation home.

Buying a vacation property can be an exciting and rewarding experience, as well as a great opportunity for income and creating a legacy. These steps will get you started in the right direction; however, please reach out and I can help you through the process.

~Jess