in this issue…
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995™
• HBA BBQ Bash • Keller Williams Realty Lake Travis Casino Night • Champions School of Real Estate Career Fair • and much, much more!
Associates in Progress
Associates in Progress
page 17
TM
page 23
OCTOBER 2011 • VOLUME 16 • ISSUE 6
Selling Homes During the Holiday Season a home during the holidays.
by Autumn Rea Carpenter
W
hile the holidays are meant for celebrating family traditions, logging travel miles and consuming gingerbread, it’s also the time of year dedicated to serious shopping. But amongst all of the retail therapy, remember that the holidays can also be the ideal time for the more substantial purchase of real estate. Just because the cookie exchange has begun doesn’t mean that the home selling process goes on vacation. Unfortunately, misconceptions abound about holiday home selling.
Printed on recycled paper.
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Austin, Texas Paid Permit #715
Misconception No. 1: Potential homebuyers are too busy to purchase
There are often fewer homes on the market during this time of year so buyers have the advantage with less competition for the home seller. “A serious buyer won’t delay their search,” says Angie Moore of The Power of 4 - Team Excellence. “Couples with children can manage hectic schedules by one person conquering the social obligations while the other views homes.” Sellers tend to take a break during the holidays, making showings easier. “Some clients have more flexible schedules during this time of year,” says David Burton of Horizon Realty. “Find out their holiday schedules since buyers will want to see the property and tree trimming and baking time could be interrupted.” Blackout certain days when clients are
Visit us online 24/7 at www.myRealtyLine.com
P. O. Box 81366, Austin, Texas 78708
TM
Putting a Face on Real Estate since 1995
austin
the beginning of November,” says Paula Brent of The Power of 4 - Team Excellence. “Many companies transfer employees or new hires at the beginning of their fiscal year, which is often in January. In the past, I have even sold houses on December 23!”
Misconception No. 2: The holidays are expensive enough without including a house down payment A gift budget and house down payment are two separate expenditures. Disciplined buyers understand that a house down payment should not be touched, because it goes toward an important investment. “I don’t think holiday expenses affect buyers during the holidays,” says Brent. “My husband and I bought our
Front Page: Continued on page 16
Upcoming Events Wednesday, October 19 WCAoR Desert and Wine Scholarship Event Highland Homes Model in Arbor Place 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 20 Sunbelt Builders Show Begins Austin Convention Center
RL
hosting parties in order to avoid rescheduling showings. REALTORS can request that listing agents include these dates in the confidential remarks for buyer’s agents on MLS. If the “no show” dates increase, consider taking the property off the market until the next year instead of moving to the bottom of buyer’s broker lists. According to Debbie Fontenette of Keller Williams Realty, holiday house hunters are overall more motivated buyers. “People who are looking during the holidays are typically interested in buying quicker, or are seeking a great deal.” Lenders, agents and other real estate professionals often have more availability during the holidays and should take advantage of selling opportunities, “There is definitely a wave of buyers that begin looking at houses at
NARI General Membership Meeting Dave and Busters - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Milestone Community Builders Ravenscroft Grand Opening Ravenscroft - 12 to 2 p.m. NAPMW 18th Annual Mortgage Monster and Bottle Auction Bash Holiday Inn Northwest - 5:30 to 9 p.m. More at www.myRealtyLine.com
Saturday, October 22 NARI 2011 Tour of Remodeled Homes 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday, October 23 NARI 2011 Tour of Remodeled Homes 12 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 26 ABoR Realty Round Up Austin Convention Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, October 27 HBA Texas Wildfire Relief Golf Tournament and Dinner Teravista Golf Club - 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. WCAoR Halloween Membership Mixer WCAoR Office - 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, November 10 Independence Title Chili Cook Off REALTOR Challenge Independence Title Round Rock Location 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sente Mortgage Power Luncheon Sente Mortgage - 12 to 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 15 NARPM Monthly Meeting Balcones Country Club - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. HBA Georgetown Chapter Bob's Catfish 'N More - 12 to 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 16 NAHREP Monthly Meeting Cool River Café - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.