5 Reasons to Sell Your House This Spring

When selling a house, most homeowners hope for a quick and profitable transaction that puts them in a position to make a great move. If you’re waiting for the best time to win as a seller, the market is calling your name this spring. Here are five reasons why this is the perfect time to sell your house if you’re ready.

1. There’s high demand from homebuyers.

Buyer demand is strong right now, and buyers are active in the market. ShowingTime, which tracks the average number of buyer showings on residential properties, recently announced that buyer showings are up 51.5% compared to this time last year. Daniil Cherkasskiy, Chief Analytics Officer at ShowingTime, notes:

“As anticipated, demand for real estate remains elevated and continues to be affected by low levels of inventory…On average, each home is getting 50 percent or more requests this year compared to January of last year. As we head into the busy season, it’s likely we’ll push into even more extreme territory until the supply starts catching up with demand.”

When your house is positioned to get a ton of attention from competitive buyers, you’re in the best spot possible as the seller.

2. There aren’t enough houses for sale.

Purchaser demand is so high, the market is running out of available houses for sale. Recently, realtor.com reported:

“Nationally, the inventory of homes for sale in February decreased by 48.6% over the past year, a higher rate of decline compared to the 42.6% drop in January. This amounted to 496,000 fewer homes for sale compared to February of last year.”

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) also reveals that, while home sales are skyrocketing, the inventory of existing homes for sale is continuing to drop dramatically. Houses are essentially selling as fast as they’re hitting the market – in fact, NAR reports that the average house is on the market for only 21 days.

It’s this imbalance between high buyer demand and a low supply of houses for sale that gives sellers such an advantage. A seller will always negotiate the best deal when demand is high and supply is low. That’s exactly what’s happening in the real estate market today.

3. You have a lot of leverage in today’s market.

Clearly, many more people are interested in buying than selling this spring, creating the ultimate sellers’ market. When this happens, homeowners in a position to sell have the upper hand in negotiations.

According to NAR, agents are reporting an average of 3.7 offers per house and an increase in bidding wars. As a seller, this means the ball is in your court – so much so that you can use your leverage to negotiate the best possible contract. Demand is there, and now is the perfect time to sell for the most favorable terms.

4. It’s a great way to use your home equity.

According to the latest data from CoreLogic, as of the third quarter of 2020, the average homeowner gained $17,000 in equity over the past year, and that number continues to grow as home values appreciate. Equity is a type of forced savings that grows during your time as a homeowner and can be put toward bigger goals like buying your next dream home.

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, notes:

“As homeowners gain equity in their homes, they are more likely to consider using that equity to purchase a larger or more attractive home – the wealth effect of rising equity. In today’s housing market, fast rising demand against the limited supply of homes for sale has resulted in continued house price appreciation.”

5. It’s a chance to find a home that meets your needs.

So much has changed over the past year, including what many of us need in a home. Spending extra time where we currently live is enabling many of us to re-evaluate homeownership and what we find most important in a home.

Whether it’s a house that has the features suited to working remotely, space for virtual or hybrid schooling, a home gym or theater, or something else, selling this spring gives you a chance to make a move and find the home of your dreams.

Bottom Line

Today’s housing market belongs to the sellers. If you’ve considered making a move but have been waiting for the right market conditions, your wait may be over. Let’s connect so you’ll be positioned to win when you sell your house this spring.

How to Be a Competitive Buyer in Today’s Housing Market

To Renovate or Not To Renovate Before You Sell

When thinking about selling, homeowners often feel they need to get their house ready with some remodeling to make it more appealing to buyers. However, with so many buyers competing for available homes right now, renovations may not be as vital as they would be in a more normal market. Here are two things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of selling this season.

1. There aren’t enough homes for sale right now.

A normal market has a 6-month supply of houses for sale, but today’s housing inventory sits far below that benchmark. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there’s only a 1.9-month supply of homes available today. As a result, buyer competition is high and homes are only on the market for about 21 days, during which time many receive multiple offers from hopeful buyers.

In a competitive market that’s moving so quickly, it makes sense to sell your house when buyers are scooping homes up as fast as they’re being listed. Spending costly time and money on renovations before you sell might just mean you’ll miss your key window of opportunity. While certain repairs on your house may be important, your best move right now is to work with a real estate advisor to determine which improvements are truly necessary, and which ones are not likely to be deal-breakers for buyers.

Today, many buyers are more willing to take on home improvement projects themselves in order to get the home they’re after, even if it means putting in a little extra work. Home Advisor explains:

“When it comes to the number of home improvement projects completed, Gen Z homeowners are leading the pack, completing an average of 3.5 projects. Millennials closely follow Gen Z, taking on an average of 3.3 projects, followed by Gen X at 2.8 projects. Boomers completed an average of 2 projects, and the Silent Generation completed the fewest projects, on average, at 1.8 per household. Compared to 2019, millennials are spending 60% more on home improvement and doing on average 30% more projects.”

In this market, it may be wise to let future homeowners remodel the bathroom or the kitchen to make design decisions that are best for their specific taste and lifestyle. As a seller, your dollars and time might be better spent working on small cosmetic updates, like refreshing some paint and power washing the exterior. Instead of over-investing in your home with upgrades that the buyers may change anyway, work with a real estate professional to determine the key projects that will maximize your listing, without overdoing it.

2. Focus on getting a good return on your investment.

When planning any bigger projects to tackle, you and your real estate agent will want to discuss the potential return on your investment and if those projects are worth the cost. Some homes do need a kitchen or bathroom renovation, roof repairs, or other major work, but definitely not all of them. You might be surprised by how well your house could fair in today’s sellers’ market. Hanley Wood states:

“The 2020 Cost vs. Value report shows a predictable increase in costs for all 22 remodeling projects but a consistent dip in the perceived value of those projects at the time of home sale, as estimated by real-estate professionals in more than 100 metro areas across the U.S. This results in a slight downturn on the return on investment for nearly all projects relative to the trends we saw in last year’s report.”

Ideally, homeowners getting ready to move should try to avoid over-investing in big renovations if they won’t make that money back when they sell their house. According to the 2020 State of Home Spending report from Home Advisor:

“The average household spending on home services rose to $13,138, an increase over last year’s survey results, where homeowners who did projects spent $9,081 on average in 2019.”

Before you renovate, contact a local real estate professional to see if it’s the best course of action. You may find out that putting your house on the market as-is will help you sell quickly, and it may result in the best return on your investment. Every home is different, but a conversation with your agent is mission-critical to make sure you make the right moves when selling this season.

Bottom Line

We’re in a strong sellers’ market, and that means you have the leverage to sell your house on your terms. Let’s connect today to determine if renovating is really the best way to spend your time and money before you sell.

How to Make a Winning Offer on a Home

Today’s homebuyers are faced with a strong sellers’ market, which means there are a lot of active buyers competing for a relatively low number of available homes. As a result, it’s essential to understand how to make a confident and competitive offer on your dream home. Here are five tips for success in this critical stage of the homebuying process.

1. Listen to Your Real Estate Advisor

An article from Freddie Mac gives direction on making an offer on a home. From the start, it emphasizes how trusted professionals can help you stay focused on the most important things, especially at times when this process can get emotional for buyers:

“Remember to let your homebuying team guide you on your journey, not your emotions. Their support and expertise will keep you from compromising on your must-haves and future financial stability.”

A real estate professional should be the expert guide you lean on for advice when you’re ready to make an offer.

2. Understand Your Finances

Having a complete understanding of your budget and how much house you can afford is essential. The best way to know this is to get pre-approved for a loan early in the homebuying process. Only 44% of today’s prospective homebuyers are planning to apply for pre-approval, so be sure to take this step so you stand out from the crowd. Doing so make it clear to sellers you’re a serious and qualified buyer, and it can give you a competitive edge in a bidding war.

3. Be Prepared to Move Quickly

According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average property sold today receives 3.7 offers and is on the market for just 21 days. These are both results of today’s competitive market, showing how important it is to stay agile and alert in your search. As soon as you find the right home for your needs, be prepared to submit an offer as quickly as possible.

4. Make a Fair Offer

It’s only natural to want the best deal you can get on a home. However, Freddie Mac also warns that submitting an offer that’s too low can lead sellers to doubt how serious you are as a buyer. Don’t make an offer that will be tossed out as soon as it’s received. The expertise your agent brings to this part of the process will help you stay competitive:

“Your agent will work with you to make an informed offer based on the market value of the home, the condition of the home and recent home sale prices in the area.”

5. Stay Flexible in Negotiations

After submitting an offer, the seller may accept it, reject it, or counter it with their own changes. In a competitive market, it’s important to stay nimble throughout the negotiation process. You can strengthen your position with an offer that includes flexible move-in dates, a higher price, or minimal contingencies (conditions you set that the seller must meet for the purchase to be finalized). Freddie Mac explains that there are, however, certain contingencies you don’t want to forego:

“Resist the temptation to waive the inspection contingency, especially in a hot market or if the home is being sold ‘as-is’, which means the seller won’t pay for repairs. Without an inspection contingency, you could be stuck with a contract on a house you can’t afford to fix.”

Bottom Line

Today’s competitive market makes it more important than ever to make a strong offer on a home. Let’s connect to make sure you rise to the top along the way.

Strategies for Reducing Your Debt and Saving for a New Home

Debt can be a major barrier to buying a new home, but there are ways to manage your debt while preparing for a home purchase. Paying off debt can be challenging, especially for those who are on a fixed income. Think about ways you can cut back on expenses, and be sure to connect with a trusted realtor from North Texas Top Team as you search for a new home.

Know (and own) your debt

For people who have large debts, it may seem easier to avoid thinking about how much you actually owe. While this may relieve stress in the short term, it won’t help you with big goals such as purchasing a new home. Instead, dig into your finances to wrap your head around each line of credit or loan in your name so you can make a plan for paying it off. It may be beneficial to work with an experienced financial consultant who can help you create a budget and get your debt under control.

It’s vital to pay your bills each month: not only will it help pay down what you owe, but it will also keep you in good standing for future credit inquiries and improve your credit score. At the very least, pay the minimum amount due, but keep in mind that if your interest rates are high, you won’t be able to pay off your debt very quickly. Decide which debts you should pay off first, typically focusing on the debts with the highest interest rates. Rank your debts and determine what you can reasonably pay to eliminate those and save money on interest in the long term. Get savvy with goal setting, and write down your plans for paying off your debts, one credit card or loan at a time. Remember that you can still buy a house when you have bad credit, but it will make the process more challenging. If you have a low credit score, for example, this can make it difficult to secure a loan since lenders view you as a high risk. So, it’s important to make sure you have your credit in good standing before you decide to purchase a home.

Create a budget

Once you’re an expert on your debt situation, it’s time to budget. Budgeting is a great tool for saving money and can allow you to realistically plan what you can afford to spend money on each month. If you’ve struggled with budgeting in the past, consider using a budgeting app to help you get started again. If you’re gearing up to buy a new house, consider some guidelines to help you save. First off, determine what you can afford for a down payment. While 20 percent can help you avoid mortgage insurance, it’s possible to put down as little as three percent when buying a new home.

Decide what you can realistically pay for your new monthly mortgage payments. A good rule of thumb is no more than 25 percent of your income; any more than that, and you won’t be able to save money for emergencies. When you figure out your ideal monthly payment amount and what you can afford for a down payment, you can do the math to determine the price range you should be looking at for a new home.

Prepare to sell your current home

As you begin to think about buying a new home, be sure to consider how to prepare your current home for sale. This will include necessary updates and repairs, such as painting rooms in neutral hues, realigning drawers, fixing cracks in the ceiling, and refinishing wood flooring. Curb appeal should also be kept in mind, with everything from a newly-painted mailbox to sprucing up the landscape to trimming bushes and shrubs. You can also boost curb appeal by hiring a tree service to pull out any dying trees or trees that are too close to your home. Remember to also think about staging for the interior. Remove large furniture, put away keepsakes and photos and open the space to make it more welcoming to buyers.

Getting ready to buy a new home is a big undertaking, so be sure to get your finances in order by assessing your debt and making a plan for paying it off. Start budgeting to help you save money for a down payment, and determine what you can reasonably afford for your mortgage payments. Lastly, don’t forget to prep your current home for sale, which will include making repairs and cleaning up your landscaping. Before too long, you’ll be well on your way to buying a new home to enjoy in retirement.

Are you thinking about buying a home in North Texas? The North Texas Top Team can help

you find the new home of your dreams! Call (469) 759-3899 today to make an appointment!

Did you know that REALTORS have access to the MLS which provides the most current and complete list of properties available for sale?  This helps home sellers get maximum exposure when they want to sell...and helps home buyers have the widest choice of homes available to purchase.

This is just one of the benefits of working with a REALTOR. 

REALTORS are members of the National Association of REALTORS, and we are held to a higher standard that other real estate professionals.  Next time you need real estate advice or information, hire a REALTOR to help you.  That's Who We R.

Want to know more?  Check us out online or call our office at 469-759-3899.  

Roadmap to Home Ownership 

Finding your way through the home buying process can be tricky. That's where our team of home buying experts come in. North Texas Top Team, Realtors knows what it takes to buy a home in the North Texas area. So rather you're a first time home buyer, needing down payment assistance, transitioning from renting, or just need a new house to call home- we're here for you through the entire process. If you're looking to buy a home in North Texas, give us a call today!

Have you bit hit with financial difficulties due to Covid-19?

Facing foreclosure or unable to catch up after forbearance?

Were you unemployed due to the pandemic and you are behind on your mortgage payments?

Divorced or separated and need to get the house sold fast?

Did you inherit a house and don't want to get it ready for the market?

If you need to sell a house, but don't want to make updates to get it sold, then maybe selling the house as-is would be the best option for you.  If you want or need to sell your house as-is without making any updates, we can help.

NOW could be the BEST time to sell your house!

The real estate market is a STRONG seller's market right now in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If you have been thinking of selling a house, we can help you get the maximum amount if you sell right now. Get that cash out of your house and into your pocket!!


No matter what your reason is - Get that cash out of your house!  We offer a free consultation to help you get the facts about your specific situation.

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We love sharing the success of our agents!  This Google Review from Christina made us smile.

"Jami helped guide us as first time home buyers during a really hectic time! Super professional and understood what we were looking for even if we didn’t sometimes. Great knowledge of north Texas neighborhoods!"

Christina V.

If you want outstanding service and knowledge from your real estate agent, call the North Texas Top Team, REALTORS today.  We will be sure to guide you through the home buying process and give you the top-notch service that you deserve!

The real estate market is a STRONG seller's market right now in the DFW area.  If you have been thinking of moving, you can get top dollar if you sell right now.  Get that cash out of your house and into your pocket!!

Are you adding more people (or pets) to your family?

Did your kids grow up and move away?

Are you tired of going up and down the stairs? Ready for a single story home?

Were you affected negatively by the pandemic in 2020?  Get that cash out of your house!

Do you want to move closer to family?

Would you rather have a new house so you don't have to make repairs at your current house?

No matter what the reason is - YOU can cash in BIG by selling your home right now.  Even if your home needs some updates, buyers are shopping and ready to pay.  Now is the BEST time to sell a house!

Below are stats from January 2021

Allen, TX - 55% of homes sold ABOVE list price

Carrollton, TX - 52% of homes sold ABOVE list price

Little Elm, TX - 67% of homes sold ABOVE list price

Murphy, TX - 75% of homes sold ABOVE list price

Plano, TX - 49% of homes sold ABOVE list price

Richardson, TX - 40% of homes sold ABOVE list price

Wylie, TX - 59% of homes sold ABOVE list price

If you want to get the most money for your house when you sell - give us a call at 469-759-3899 TODAY.  Our experts can show you how much money you could get when you sell your home today!