Wednesday 5 February 2014

Giddy Up

Giddy Up


by Darrin DeRoches
January 23 - 29, 2014
People always ask when are the best times to sell your home is. The answer is January and September.  But what most people don’t realize is that it takes a few weeks into the month to really hit the right time. Last week I listed a property in a small town and had three offers on it. A new client I spoke with a year ago called to list their commercial property.  Another blast from the past called and asked for help with selling their home. I received a call from an elderly client looking to buy a retirement property and wanted to move quickly. A potential commercial tenant is going over a lease to be signed this week and the government, banks and credit companies all settled an ongoing mortgage to be closed this week.  All of these deals, leases, sales and buyers all have the same thing in common – they finally got back to work!

    The funny thing is that of the three offers we received this week, two of the agents are going on vacation this week. Seriously? The third week of January is always the jump off point for the New Year and money waits for no man or woman.  Most agents have been sitting at their phones just waiting for them to ring for over six weeks and now isn’t the time to take a vacation.  Sure it must be cheap flights and it is freaking cold outside but the market is starting to rock and roll and, hey, let’s take a vacation.  Anyway, not my problem. The point is that the market is starting to move and if you are considering selling or buying a property in this market get ready to move fast.  First things first – hire the right agent or, better yet, a broker.  The market is going to be moving very fast with no slowing down in sight.  A great broker will get you into potential homes before they hit the market or even sell your home before it hits the market.  People want to move fast and not have to shovel snow or have a parade of people going through their homes in this weather. If you try to do it on your own you will surely miss out on the best that the market has to offer.

    So saddle up with a real estate professional and lasso the market by the horns or risk getting left in the dust.  The new year is starting out at a canter and will be in a full on gallop once it warms up a little. So get on your horse and ride into the New Year! In case you didn’t know, it is the year of the horse, hence the metaphors. Seriously though, the real estate market is going to be a wild ride this year so be prepared and you may come out with the blue ribbon – I think that means first place – maybe one too many horse references. V

    Darrin DeRoches is a local real estate and mortgage broker. He can be reached to answer questions, comments or stories about real estate experiences through this weekly column at sold@uniquerealty.ca.