Just like every other year, football season has ended and the spring housing market has begun. (I can’t explain exactly why the market starts winding up the day after Super Bowl Sunday…it just does.)

Regardless of what the market does this year in terms of mortgage rates, home prices, or housing inventory, when it’s time to make a move, it’s time to make a move.

Whether buying or selling, I want to arm you with some best practices that will give you the best chance of achieving your real estate goals with as little friction as possible.

Step #1 is to select a licensed, qualified real estate agent to be your partner and trusted advisor from start to finish. It’s never too early in the process to start looking for the right agent, and getting a head start can make the whole experience a lot smoother – trust me.

Home sellers:

If, like most sellers, you goals consist of selling your home as quickly as possible and for the highest possible price, pay close attention to the following.

💸 Price your home competitively

• When priced too high, the market won’t buy
• When homes sit on the market for a long time and there are price reductions, some buyers worry there’s something wrong with the place
• To avoid this, make sure you’ve hired an agent who isn’t afraid to give an honest opinion about the real market value of your home (even if you disagree)
• The asking price is 100% your decision but at the end of the day, a good agent will know a lot more about local market trends and comparative analysis than you (it’s why you hire them!)

• Make your home marketable! The better the condition of your home, the more likely you are to attract the most buyers and competitive offers
• Ask your agent to advise on which improvements to make before listing

• Just because housing inventory is historically low does not necessarily mean you have all the leverage in the transaction
• Due to inflation, mortgage rates, and myriad other affordability challenges, many buyers are earnestly seeking, but hesitant to pull the trigger
• Determine the lowest offer price you’re willing to accept, and what components of an offer you’re willing to flex on (inspection contingency, closing date, etc.)

Home buyers:

If buying a home – either for the first time or stepping up – here are 4 important steps to take before you start shopping.

💳 Improve your credit

• Pay off debt and watch your credit score go up, which can help you qualify for a lower mortgage rate and loan options

• This will help you determine how much home you can afford, and you’ll need that pre-approval letter before making an offer on a home

• While in many cases you don’t need 20% down to get an offer accepted, the higher the down-payment amount, the lower your monthly mortgage payment will be
• There are lots of great state programs that offer down-payment assistance

• Especially with low inventory, it’s important to determine the “must-haves” versus “nice-to-haves”
• A good agent will help you create and refine your homebuying criteria before you start touring homes