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How Fast Can Homes Sell? (Video)
The speed at which homes sell can vary widely depending on various factors, including the local real estate market conditions, the location of the property, its price, its condition, and the overall economic climate.
Here are some key factors that influence how fast homes can sell.
Location, Homes in highly desirable neighborhoods or areas with good schools, low crime rates, and convenient amenities tend to sell faster than those in less desirable locations.
Price, pricing a home competitively is crucial. If a home is priced too high compared to similar properties in the area, it may sit on the market for a longer time. Conversely, a well-priced home can attract more buyers and sell faster.
Condition, Homes in excellent condition are more likely to sell quickly. Properties that require significant repairs or renovations may take longer to sell unless they are priced accordingly.
Market Conditions, Real estate markets can be either a seller’s market or a buyer’s market. In a seller’s market, where there are more buyers than available homes, properties tend to sell faster. In a buyer’s market, where there are more homes for sale than buyers, it may take longer to sell a property.
Marketing and Presentation, Effective marketing, including high-quality photographs, virtual tours, and appealing property descriptions, can attract more potential buyers and lead to a quicker sale.
Real Estate Agent Expertise, an experienced real estate agent can play a significant role in selling a home quickly. They can help with pricing, marketing, and negotiating to expedite the sale.
It’s essential to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how fast homes can sell.
To get a more accurate estimate of how fast homes are selling in a specific area, you should consult with a local real estate agent who has up-to-date knowledge of the market conditions and can provide you with a market analysis.
Why Homeowners Feel Thankful for Their Homes [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Here are three reasons why homeowners feel thankful for their homes. First, it’s a safe place that can give you a greater sense of comfort, safety, and security.
- Second, it gives you freedom of expression. From the color of the paint to the art on the walls, you can express your style and your personality.
- Third, it provides a sense of community. Owning your home helps you build lasting friendships with neighbors and connects you to your community. If you’re thinking of buying a home and want to hear more about the potential benefits, let’s talk.
Thanks for Choosing Me as Your Real Estate Agent This Year (Video)
🏡 I am thrilled that you’ve chosen me as your trusted Real Estate Agent this year. This channel is dedicated to providing you with valuable insights, tips, and information to make your real estate journey as smooth and successful as possible.
Here, you’ll find a wealth of resources, from home buying and selling guides to market trends and property tours. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, an experienced investor, or simply curious about the real estate market, I’ve got you covered.
My commitment is to ensure you have the knowledge and support you need to make informed decisions in the ever-changing world of real estate. I am not just your agent; I am your partner in achieving your real estate goals.
So, don’t forget to hit that subscribe button, turn on notifications, and join my growing community of homeowners, sellers, and real estate enthusiasts. Together, I’ll make this year a memorable and successful one in your real estate journey.
Thank you for choosing me as your Real Estate Agent, and we look forward to being your trusted source for all things real estate. If you have any specific topics or questions you’d like me to cover, feel free to leave them in the comments below. Let’s make this year in real estate amazing together! 🎉đźŹ
Why Homeowners Are Thankful They Own
Countless people have set out on the exciting journey of homeownership. Ask around and you’ll find the vast majority are thankful they took the leap and bought a home. But why? It’s because of the many emotional and lifestyle benefits that come with being a homeowner.
So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to rent or buy a home, here are just a few of the many benefits you could look forward to if you buy.
It’s a Safe Haven
Owning a home goes beyond just having a roof over your head. It provides a sense of security and safety. In fact, in a survey from Fannie Mae, respondents say “having a sense of privacy and security” is one of the top reasons homeownership is preferred to renting. And in a different Fannie Mae survey, “living in a place where you and your family feels safe” is another one of the top benefits of homeownership.
Your home is a place where you can truly relax and unwind. Knowing that you have a sanctuary to return to at the end of the day is a great source of comfort.
It’s a Canvas for Self-Expression
For many homeowners, their home is a reflection of who they are. The National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:
“The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and choose the types of upgrades and new amenities that appeal to your lifestyle.”
From the color of the front door to the art hanging on the walls, every detail contributes to a unique expression of personal style. Put simply, owning a home gives you the freedom to make changes and improvements that resonate with your personality.
It Helps You Feel More Connected to the Community
Stability is another cornerstone of homeownership. The longer you stay put, the more emotionally connected you are to your community. For example, if your neighborhood does cook-outs, block parties, or other events, you’ll feel more engaged and probably build meaningful relationships with those around you. As NAR states:
“Remaining in one neighborhood for several years allows you and your family time to build long-lasting relationships within the community.”
The sense of community where you can make life-long friends helps give you more stability and predictability than you’d have if you move each time a rental lease renews.
Its Where Lifelong Memories Are Made
Not to mention, your home is where you’ll make many memories. It’s a backdrop for the stories of your life. Celebrating milestones, hosting gatherings, and building a treasure trove of special moments within the walls of your home is a heartwarming experience to be thankful for.
Bottom Line
As you start thinking about buying a home, remember why so many people are glad they did. Homeownership isn’t just a financial decision. It’s about having a stable place where you can make lasting memories. If you’re thinking of buying a home and want advice, let’s chat.
Home Prices Still Growing – Just at a More Normal Pace
If you’re feeling a bit muddy on what’s happening with home prices, that’s no surprise. Some people are still saying prices are falling, even though data proves otherwise. Part of that misconception is because people are getting their information from unreliable sources. But it’s also coming from some media coverage misrepresenting what the data really shows.
So, to keep things simple, here’s what you really need to know using real data you can trust.
Normal Home Price Seasonality Explained
In the housing market, there are predictable ebbs and flows that happen each year. It’s called seasonality. Spring is the peak homebuying season when the market is most active. That activity is typically still strong in the summer but begins to wane as the cooler months approach.
Home prices follow along with seasonality because prices appreciate most when something is in high demand. That’s why there’s a reliable long-term home price trend. The graph below uses data from Case-Shiller to show the typical percent change for monthly home price movement from 1973 through 2022 (not adjusted, so you can see the seasonality):
As the data shows, at the beginning of the year, home prices grow, but not as much as they do when entering the spring and summer markets. That’s because the market is less active in January and February since fewer people move in the cooler months. As the market transitions into the peak homebuying season in the spring, activity ramps up, and home prices go up a lot more in response. Then, as fall and winter approach, prices still grow, just at a slower pace as activity eases again.
This Year, Seasonality Has Returned
Now, let’s look at how this year compares to that long-term trend (see graph below):
 
Here’s the latest data for this year from that same source. Just like before, the dark bars are the long-standing trend. The green bars represent what’s happened this year. As you can see, the green bars are beginning to fall in line with what’s normal for the market. That’s a good thing because it’s more sustainable price growth than we’ve seen in recent years.
In a nutshell, nationally prices aren’t falling, it’s just that price growth is beginning to normalize. Moving forward, there’s a chance the media will misrepresent this slowing of home price growth as prices falling. So don’t believe everything you see in the headlines. The data included here gives you the context you need to really understand what’s happening. So, if you see something in the headlines that’s confusing, don’t just take it at face value. Ask a trusted real estate professional for more information.
Remember, it’s normal to see home price growth slow down as the year goes on. And that definitely doesn’t mean home prices are falling. They’re just rising at a more moderate pace.
Bottom Line
Home price appreciation is returning to normal seasonality and that’s a good thing. If you have questions about what’s happening with prices in our local area, let’s connect.
Are There Actually More Homes for Sale Right Now?
If you’re looking to make a move, you want to be sure you have the latest information on the housing market. To help make that possible, here’s an update on the supply of homes for sale today. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the number of homes available in your local market matters to you. Take a look below.
What’s the Truth About Today’s Housing Inventory?
While the story for the past few years has been how few homes are on the market, recent national data may leave you feeling a bit confused. That’s because Realtor.com shows inventory is actually growing a bit month-over-month in many parts of the country (see the blue states in the map below):
As the map shows, nationally, housing supply increased just over 5% last month.
Does That Mean the Days of Limited Inventory Are Over?
That might make you wonder: are the days of tight housing supply behind us? The short answer is no. Context is important. While you may see headlines saying inventory is up, data also shows there are still significantly fewer homes for sale than there would usually be in a more normal market.
The graph below compares the latest active listing counts (homes currently available for sale) with the most recent normal years in the housing market (2017-2019):
As Lance Lambert, Founder, ResiClub Analytics, explains:
“Housing market inventory is so far below pre-pandemic levels that October’s big jump is still just a drop in the bucket.”
What does that mean for you? Remember, real estate is hyper-local. Partnering with a trusted real estate agent will help you gain a better understanding of the inventory situation in your specific market.
If you’re looking to buy, you may have slightly more options than you did in recent months, but you still need to brace for low inventory. A great agent will be able to share their expertise and key strategies that have helped other buyers navigate today’s ongoing low housing supply.
And, if you’re trying to sell, rest assured you haven’t missed your window of opportunity to potentially get multiple offers or see your house sell quickly. While inventory has ticked up some nationally, overall, it’s still low and may be down even more in your area.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, let’s connect so you can make sure you’re up to date on all the latest trends that could impact your move, including today’s housing supply.
Is Your House the Top Thing on a Buyer’s Wish List this Holiday Season?
This time every year, homeowners who are planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait until after the holidays? Some sellers with homes already on the market may even remove their listing until the new year.
But the truth is, many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. As an article from Fortune Builders explains:
“ . . . while a majority of people take a step back from the real estate market during the holiday months, you may find when the temperature drops, your potential for a great real estate deal starts to rise.”
To help prove that point, here are four reasons you shouldn’t wait to sell your house.
1. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. While a few buyers might opt to delay their moving plans until January, others may need to move now because something in their life has changed. The buyers who look for homes at this time of year are usually motivated to make their move happen and are eager to buy. A recent article from Investopedia says:
“Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer. Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale.”
2. While the supply of homes for sale has increased a little bit lately, overall inventory is still lower than it was before the pandemic. What does that mean for you? If you work with an agent to price your house at market value, it could still sell quickly because today’s buyers are craving more options – and your home may be exactly what they’re searching for.
3. You can determine the days and times that are most convenient for you for home showings. That can help you minimize disruptions to your own schedule, which can be especially important during this busy time of year. Plus, you may find buyers are more flexible on when they’ll tour a house this time of year because they have more time off from work around the holidays.
4. And finally, homes decorated for the holidays appeal to many buyers. For those buyers, it’s easy to picture gathering with their loved ones in the home and making memories of their own. An article on selling at this time of year offers this advice:
“If you’re selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they accent—not overpower—a room. Less is more.”
Bottom Line
There are plenty of good reasons to put your house on the market during the holiday season. Let’s chat and see if it’s the right time for you to sell.
How To Winterize Your RV
RV campsite in snow at Estes park, Colorado.
Winter’s hard on all of us, but it can be particularly hard on RVs, including new and used motorhomes. With lots of plumbing and areas for water and moisture to hide, winterizing your RV is a critical step in saving yourself a lot of expensive fixes once things start to thaw in the spring.
In the video above, we list a step-by-step walkthrough of the winterization process. If it feels overwhelming, don’t fret! The trained service technicians at your local Camping World can winterize your RV for you. However, if you want to take on the process yourself, follow along with our step-by-step process. We break down the details of the video in 8 easy steps below.
Please note every RV is different, from fifth wheels to travel trailers and every class in between, and some may have additional items that are harder to winterize, such as icemakers and refrigerators or dishwashers, but our guide covers the basics. Let’s dive in!
Tools Needed Before You Begin
For proper winterization, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:
- cordless power drill with #2 square tip driver bit
- socket wrench and 1-1/16″ socket
- flashlight
- new anode rod or plastic plug
- 3-4 gallons of antifreeze (a little extra never hurts)
- 2 crescent wrenches or a set of open-end wrenches
- siphoning kit (if the pump is not already equipped)
- water heater bypass kit (if not already equipped)
- needle nose pliers or a screwdriver
Steps To Winterize Your RV
RV campsite in snow at Estes park, Colorado.
If you follow all of the steps as outlined, your RV will be as ready as it can be for winter storage. A properly winterized RV means less headache and stress when spring comes around again.
- Drain and Flush the Black and Gray Water Tanks
It’s extremely important to not let wastewater sit in your RV all winter long. Not only can those tanks be a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria, but the water can also freeze and cause issues. Drain both, starting with the black water tank and then the gray water tank. Once both are drained, clean the black tank with a special black tank cleaner or a cleaning wand.
- Drain and Flush the Water Heater
You’ll also need to get the water out of your water heater. This means you need to turn it off and let it cool down, and not be under pressure. Hook up city water to your RV with the water turned off. From there, you can use your socket wrench to remove the drain plug or anode rod and open the pressure relief valve.
This will let the water drain out. Don’t drain the water heater if it’s hot or has pressure built up. Wait until the temperature and pressure come down. Once drained, turn the water pressure on and flush out the sediment for 2-3 minutes. Remove the anode rod if old and leave it out during winter; make a note to install a new one in the spring.
- Bypass the Water Heater
Before adding anti-freeze to your RV, you need to make sure you bypass the water heater. You don’t want any antifreeze making its way into the water heater. Some RVs will have a bypass already installed.
To find the water heater, locate where the water heater service door is on the RV’s exterior and line that up with where it feeds inside. More often than not, there’s an access panel inside that you will need to remove. Using your drill and square tip driver bit, remove the panel to access the valves and adjust them to properly bypass the water heater.
- Drain the Fresh Tank and Low Point Drains
Be sure the water pressure is off before removing the plug and draining the freshwater tank. It’s a good idea to open the faucets to help facilitate flow. When finished, close all the faucets and plug the low-point drains.
- Locate the Water Pump
Attach the siphoning kit, or if your RV is equipped, locate the siphoning hose and place it inside your gallon of antifreeze. Open the valve. Turn on the water pump to allow the antifreeze to start flowing through the water system.
- Open External Faucets and Valves on the Outside of the RV
Beginning with the lowest valve and working your way up, open low-point drains valves or loosen the low-point drain plugs to allow water to run out. Do so until the water turns pink (this is the antifreeze making its way thoroughly through the pipes), then close the valves or retighten the plugs. Turn on any outside showers or exterior faucets, running one side (hot or cold) until it runs pink, then close it and run the other.
- Open Internal Faucets, Showers, and Toilets
Repeating the process from step six, run the faucets inside (kitchen, bathroom, and showers), starting with one side until it runs pink, then closing it and running the other side. Then do the same thing for all toilets until you see the antifreeze.
- Pour Antifreeze Down P-Traps
After that, you should pour some additional antifreeze down the drain of each sink, shower, and toilet in the RV to ensure the exterior termination pipes don’t freeze over winter. With all that done, you should double-check that the water heater’s heating element is turned off and all faucets are closed.
Get Help With RV Winterization If You Need It
Doing it yourself can be rewarding, but paying professionals to handle your home on wheels is never a bad idea. So, if the steps above sound too complicated, or they’re just not something you want to do this season, no worries–pay a professional.
For other winterization tips and tricks, check out your RV’s owner’s manual. It’s common for different classes of RVs, such as Happier Camper, and different appliances to have additional needs before you can properly store your RV for the winter. After all, a successful winterization leads to a successful spring when RV season rolls around again.
Home Price Seasonality Is Coming Back (Video)
Want to know what’s really happening with home prices? Prices are still growing, just at a more normal pace for the market. Want more information on home prices in our area? Let’s connect.
2024 Housing Market Forecast
Some Highlights
- Thinking of buying or selling a house and wondering what the new year holds for the housing market? Experts forecast home prices to end this year up 2.8% and to rise another 1.5% in 2024. And climbing prices help make homeownership a good investment.
- Plus, home sales are projected to increase in 2024. That’s good news because it means experts are forecasting more activity as people continue to move.
- If you’re planning to buy or sell, it’s helpful to know what experts project for the housing market. Let’s connect to talk about the latest forecasts and craft a plan together.
