When should you put your house on the market?

Question

We are starting to look at houses now, but we probably won't be able to move (at the soonest) until next spring. We want to take our time and find the right house at the right price, but what do we do about selling our house?

We can't afford to move yet because we have 2 kids in daycare. My son will start Kindergarten next year.

Answer 1

This is a difficult situation. If you find a house you want to put an offer on, no one will accept it if your house isn't on the market and most won't accept it unless your house is not in escrow (under contract). The reason is they don't want to tie up there house while you are trying to sell yours.

As the other poster said, it may be tough to get Realtors to spend much time with you, as at this point, you are not a buyer, you are a looky-loo.

You should put your house on the market when you are ready to sell and buy. You may qualify for a bridge loan (a lender will finance your new house while yours is on the market). Some sellers put a contigency in their contract stating that they will need to find acceptable housing before the buyers can close on the house, so that is an option.

Answer 2

Why would you sell your current home. Keep it for an investment property. If you can rent it for more than the current mortgage you are in good shape.

If you must sell you house you should prepare by repairing all the things you have let slide that you know need repairing, a leaky faucet or pipes for instance.

Re-glaze your bath tub and redo the tile on the wall and the floor in the bathroom. Check the kitchen out, how long have you had this kitchen, what need up grading. Are you leaving the appliances and are they worth it? If not replace them.

Do the entire house need interior painting, carpeting, hardwood floors re-sanded, check for broken windows that have not been repaired.

Now check the landscape. If it does not say buy me when you get out of your car, you need to plant flowers, shrub, trees and spruce up the yard. Get rid of all the spots where kids have played and there are spots in the grass or where you have walked and now a path exist.

Look at the roof does it need replacing, when was the last time you replaced it?

I hope this has been of some use to you, good luck.

"FIGHT ON"

Answer 3

Generally it takes 60 to 90 days to sell a home. Now it also depends on the asking price. If the home is priced right and not over priced then it sells faster. But if you over price and have to slowly bring down the price of the home then you are looking at a longer process.
If you don't plan on moving to next spring, then I would advice you to wait til about 3 to 6 months before. Then list the home.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

With the market the way it is, you may want to try to sell your house now, unless you're waiting because you have a child in college or in a school that is keeping you where you are.

Looking a houses is okay now, however, it may be difficult to get a Realtor to work with you very hard right now, because we can't afford to wait until next year to get paid. Besides, if you see the house you want now, you won't be ready to buy, right?