Sep. 27—JAMESTOWN — While spring and summer are the popular seasons to purchase or sell a home, people don’t stop doing that in fall and winter, said a local real estate agent.
“There’s always people moving around,” said Tim Perkins, Realtor, RE/MAX Now. He said people may be relocating during that time due to a job or need to downsize or purchase a larger home if their family dynamics are changing.
Jamestown, at this writing, had 45 active listings for homes, Perkins said. Another 25 listings were under contract, meaning an offer had been accepted, he said.
“As far as what the market is currently like, I think kind of what we’re seeing is, especially the higher-end listings or higher price listings, those are definitely staying on the market longer,” Perkins said.
Nineteen of the 45 properties listed at this writing were in that higher price range, over $350,000, he said.
Perkins said the properties staying on the market longer might be due to buyers waiting for potential interest rate cuts as well as going into the fall season.
“There’s buyers in our market and there’s still people definitely looking to buy, but I think people are slower to make decisions right now,” Perkins said.
Perkins said the average sale price of a home in Jamestown is around $261,000.
“I would say that we have a shortage for kind of that middle price point, right around that average sales price,” he said. “We just need more of those houses …”
That middle price point would be in the $250,000 to $300,000 price range, he said.
It also might be hard for first-time homebuyers to get into homes in a price range of $125,000 to $150,000, he said.
“There’s really not a lot of good properties that have move-in ready houses or conditions that are good (in that price range),” he said.
Perkins said fall is a good time to look for a home. He said in his opinion, the most important thing for buyers is to be preapproved and ready to act quickly.
“Even in the slower months, so to speak … good homes still go fast … so you’ve got to be prepared and ready to act quickly,” he said.
He said for buyers, it’s about identifying needs versus wants.
“When you get preapproved, you’re talking with your banker, and they’re kind of creating that overall picture, what your monthly budget’s going to be with insurance and taxes,” Perkins said.
That helps buyers understand what their overall payment’s going to be so they know what they can afford and still do the daily life activities that they want, he said.
Buyers should consider the “non-negotiables” that they have to have and what they can do away with, such as the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, he said.
“Maybe some of the finishes or things that are of a want versus a need,” Perkins added. “So something they could be OK with for right now and maybe upgrade down the road when they have a better financial situation.”
He said creating that picture can help buyers have a better relationship with their real estate agent, giving them a clear picture of what they’re looking for, which in turn helps the real estate agent identify a better search for the buyer.
Perkins recommends buyers be flexible, patient and prepared so if the right house does come up, they’re able to act.
For sellers, in the fall/winter season, curb appeal is important, Perkins said.
“Trying to make that look as nice as you can with the weather conditions we have,” he said.
That includes keeping the yard maintained, raking leaves and cleaning out gutters. Ensure the windows and heating system are in good shape and change filters. Change batteries in smoke alarms. Adding seasonal decor can also add to the appeal, Perkins said, making it more inviting.
Decluttering is also important, he said.
“I would always say in getting ready to list, ‘less is always better too,'” he said. “You don’t want to overdo it either. Just having that simplicity is (a) nice clean look.”
If they know they’re going to list a home, the seller should do professional photos before winter arrives, Perkins said, so buyers can see what it looks like outside of winter.
It’s also helpful if sellers are able to be a little flexible with showings, Perkins said. With shorter daylight hours to view a prospective purchase, it can help to accommodate earlier showing times. Turning on lights and opening blinds to bring in the natural light can help show the house better, he said.
He recommends sellers try to be patient when they’re having their house listed and make sure their agents are doing everything they can to help market it to buyers.
