The elections are over.
We now have in front of us the "real estate lag time." You know, you've been there, the time between Halloween and New Year's. For me, this has not traditionally been my best income producing months (understatement). So, I tend to just leave town--rather than facing my fears. Last year, during the holidays, we went to Memphis; only to be disapponted to find a 50% chance, Elvis really is dead. Staying home and working may have been a better idea. The year before, it was Phoenix--just to enjoy the weather, the year before Mexico--because I wanted to--you get the idea. I started to think, maybe I have created my own reality, maybe it is my fault that my business is slower this time of the year. I'm not really certain being out of town, was as much the problem; as being out of reality became a problem. In an effort to avoid a severe income reduction this year, I decided to think aloud and to allow you to hear those thoughts. You see if I commit out loud or in writing, I might carry thru!
First of all conventional "wisdom-ers" (whoever those guys are) lead us to believe, this is a time of reflection. Long portrayed as a time to regroup and set goals, November and December have become unpaid holidays for Realtors. Why? They are just short days that become long, fruitless months. "Not so," say I! On paper, I can see November and December have the potential to be my best months. In fact, if I can follow thru, I just may be able to take off the rest of the year (not so, never gonna happen, etc.) So if you are hearing, "No!", if you are buying into the idea things are slow--Rethink..Rewind....Reconsider!
1. Serious buyers show up during the holidays. Yes, I know you have bells to ring, shopping to start and a turkey to bake. All those activities should halt if Mr. and Mrs. PeeWee Smith are here from Duluth, Mn to buy a house Pay attention! No one leaves Minnesota in the winter to just "look" at houses. If so, these lookers will soon become buyers, as they feel the warm wind of winter sweeping down the plains! Have you ever been to Duluth in the winter? Put it this way, it's cold there in the summer. Seriously, buyers looking during this time period want to find a home, get packed and moved by the time school starts in January! Holiday buyers are a commission you can "almost" bank on!
2. Less competition! Many Realtors use these months as a time to set goals. Some Realtors (like "former me") will pack up and vacation, while others stay home with the family. Not passing any judgement here, just saying---cause somebody's got to--the Realtor to Buyer Ratio is waaaay down this time of year. It is a great time to find many qualified buyers. You will get the right anwer when you ask the age old question, "Are you working with a Realtor?" The key here is to look for the buyer, instead of grumbling about the slowness of "the season."
3. Sellers can be more motivated. For the seller who has a new job assignment in another city, motivation is hitting its peak during the holidays. The usual stress associated with this time is only intensified when a move is imminent. It is not unusual to see the wife stay behind to get the kids thru the semester. Generally, I have noticed the spouse left behind is the most negotiable.
4. Less Inventory! Generally we see many homes go off the market until the holidays end. It's a Realtor Dream--Serious buyers, Fewer chioces, Less time to buy---hmmm, I think I could make something out of this!
Think about it. There I said it!
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