Real Realty

20/01/2023

08/12/2022

With a little planning and budgeting, your dream destination is closer than you think

Is your family longing for some time away? A holiday is the perfect opportunity for y'all to take a break from work and school, get away from it all and spend quality time together. Whether your family craves action and adventure or is more laid back, it's important to plan ahead to make the most of the experience.

Planning the 'where' and "when' of your next getaway is probably the best part, but how you're going to pay for it's also crucial. After all, you don't want to go into debt for a holiday. We've put together 5 practical tips on how to plan and save for your dream family holiday.

Choose a destination in advance
Deciding on a destination and committing to a specific time frame makes your savings goal more tangible. The internet has revolutionised the way people plan their trips, and a little online research will give you a good idea of how much you need to set aside for a stress-free holiday.

Having trouble deciding on a destination? In reality, some destinations are more expensive than others. So set your maximum budget first:

How much you want to spend at most
How long you want to stay
Once you know how much you want to spend, you can narrow down the list of destinations to those that are within your budget.

Consider the costs
Flights and accommodation are the biggest expenses, but you also need to think about other things, such as:

Meals
Excursions
Shopping
Transport/car hire
Souvenirs/Gifts

By planning for these expenses, you can avoid unexpected surprises. It's also a good idea to budget for extras that come up during your trip, such as eating out more often than you'd originally planned.

Work out how much you need to set aside each month
Once you've worked out how much you need to save, you need to calculate how much you need to set aside each month and how long it'll take you to save the full amount. Our free online savings calculator will help you calculate this monthly amount.

Use a budget planner
When you break out the spreadsheet for budgeting, it can get more complicated to keep track of your income, expenses and financial goals. An accessible, user-friendly budget planner can make all the difference in managing your money.

22Seven is a free budgeting app you can download to keep track of how you spend your money. You can also set specific goals you want to save for, like a family trip. Go to the 22Seven app here. Use our online budget calculator to get an insight into the breakdown and earn great rewards in the process!

Holidays are definitely more relaxing when you don't have to worry about how much debt you're accumulating in your beach chair.

07/12/2022

Now that we are soon approaching the holiday season, one of the most frequently asked questions about selling a home is, "Should I sell my home during the vacations?" Depending on who you talk to about this topic, you will hear different opinions.

Some will say that you should definitely not sell your home over the holidays and should wait until after the new year. Others will say that you should offer your home over the holidays.

Before we get into the top 10 reasons to sell your home over the holidays, I always want sellers to realise that in most cases, spring is the best time to sell your home. That does not mean that offering your home during the holiday season is a waste of time, because there are some great reasons and benefits.

Below you will learn what are the 10 best reasons to sell your home during the vacations. Homeowners who are faced with the decision of whether to list their home during the holiday season or wait and prepare for the spring real estate market should consider these 10 reasons before making a decision.

Motivated buyers buy year-round
The holiday season is filled with Christmas parties, family gatherings, gift shopping and a host of other time-consuming tasks. The holiday season is often the reason many buyers abandon their home search because they are too busy with other things.

These types of buyers are the same type of people who usually go to viewings. Yes, I am talking about your nosy neighbours or window shoppers who have no intention of buying your home.

One of the most important reasons to sell your home during the holidays is that the quality of potential buyers of your home improves significantly. Motivated buyers are looking for a home all year long, even during the holiday season. These serious buyers want to take advantage of lower interest rates instead of waiting and potentially being affected by an interest rate increase.

These are the kind of buyers you want when you tour your home, plain and simple!

Buyers have more time to search for and buy homes
It's common for people to have more time off from work during the holiday season. This means that potential buyers have more time to search and shop for properties.

The number of people searching my website for homes for sale in Rochester NY increases exponentially during the holiday season. Imagine a motivated buyer getting together with their family at Thanksgiving and showing their loved ones the homes they are interested in to get their feedback and opinions, because that is actually happening. The Internet has made searching for real estate incredibly easy.

Not only do buyers spend more time searching for properties online during the holidays, but they also have more time to look at properties in person because they have more time off from work. The extra time motivated buyers have to search for properties is another great reason to list your home during the holidays.

Fewer competitors during the holidays
Fewer competitors is a great reason to list your home during the holiday season!
Fewer competitors is a great reason to list your home during the holidays!

One of the main reasons why selling a home during the fall or winter months can be beneficial is that there are fewer competitors. This means that many of your neighbours will wait to sell their home until after the holidays, or perhaps even until spring. It's also not uncommon for some homeowners to ask to take their home off the market during the holidays.

Having fewer homes for sale is a good reason why you should list your home during the holiday season. This is especially true if your home resembles many homes in your neighbourhood.

For example, if your home is a traditional 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath colonial and many of the homes in your neighbourhood also look like that, it's a good idea to list your home during the holiday season. On the other hand, if you are selling a luxury home that is extremely unique and rare in your area, the competition is probably not high at any time of the year and it might be the best decision to wait until after the holidays.

Homes sell better during the holidays
An excellent tip for preparing for viewings is to make sure your home is clean, neat and organised. If you are having family over for the holidays, chances are you will be cleaning and organising every inch of your home.

The holiday season is also a popular time for homeowners to bring out their inner cooking and baking skills. During the holidays, cookies, pastries and dinners are baked, which means your home will smell wonderful during showings. The smell test is not to be ignored when selling a home, as foul odours are one of the most common ways to scare away a potential buyer.

Buyers are emotional during the holidays
The holidays are filled with love, joy, happiness, peace and a host of other emotions. Another good reason to sell your home during the holidays is to

06/12/2022

Why the Holidays Are a Good Time to Sell a House

Low inventory and serious buyers are two reasons—and year-end issues

By DONNA FUSCALDO Updated January 30, 2022

Reviewed by LEA D. URADU

Fact checked by TIMOTHY LI

When it comes to real estate, the ideal time to sell your home often falls in the spring months. After all, many people hunker down during the winter months or are too busy with the holidays to think about purchasing a new home. And don't forget, people like to start shopping in the spring to make sure they are settled in their homes before the start of a new school year.

But what if you can't wait until the weather warms up to get your house on the market? Should you consider putting your house up for sale around the holidays?

It may not seem like the most ideal time, but the holiday season does have its benefits—provided you position your home in just the right way. You might not get in the middle of a bidding war, but you are going to deal with serious buyers who are ready to close a deal. Here are six reasons why the holidays are a good time to sell a house.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Inventory is low during the holidays so, while you may not end up in a bidding war, you may be able to command a higher price.
Buyers tend to be more serious during the holidays.
You can make your house comfy and homey during the holidays, creating an emotional connection for buyers.
The holidays may be a time for potential buyers to consider job transfers and end-of-year tax breaks.
1. There's Less Housing Inventory During Winter
Conventional wisdom says people should wait until the spring to get the most from a home sale. After all, inventory normally picks up in the spring as the weather gets warmer. This often leads to price wars breaking out in coveted neighborhoods. A home in a great area with a lot of potential buyers can sit on the market for just a few weeks or, in some cases, even days.

But that doesn't mean people don't look—or buy—at other times of the year. In fact, there are plenty of homes listed around the holidays that may command more money, even if the inventory is limited. If you play your cards right, you may even be able to sell your home quicker than the ones listed in the spring.

One reason is the lack of competition during the holidays. Many sellers don't want to list their houses just before or during the holidays—some don't want people tracking in snow and dirt during each showing, while others just want to enjoy the holidays as family time.

Whatever the reason, don't discount the holidays. Serious buyers won't have an endless list of homes from which to choose, so there's more time for them to focus on yours. Furthermore, the limited range of options available to buyers means you may be able to command a higher asking price for your property.

If you do your research, stage your home properly, and price it right, you could attract the perfect buyer and be on your way out the door into a brand new home.

2. Winter Buyers Are More Serious
Most open houses take place during the spring and early summer. It isn't unusual to see people saunter into a property without a clear plan to buy. People often check out homes just for the sake of looking. After all, hitting open houses is a favorite pastime for many Americans.

But if your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy. Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer—they aren’t going to spend their precious time around the holidays seeing how the other half lives. Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale.

3. That Warm and Cozy Feeling
The holidays are often a time when people gather around fireplaces, drink hot chocolate, and bake cakes and cookies. Homeowners who put their houses up for sale during the winter months can stage their house to give off the comfy and homey vibe that appeals to many buyers.

Some people may argue that showing a house in the winter is hard to do because there’s snow on the ground, the house is drafty, and the curb appeal is lacking. But turning the heat up, having a yummy treat in the oven, and keeping the sidewalk and driveway clear of snow and ice can boost a home’s appeal.

Not to mention that buyers tend to be more emotional during the holidays and may be more likely to make decisions based on the feeling a house conjures up. During the spring, there is a lot more foot traffic in homes that are up for sale. Some buyers may not be able to do a thorough walk-through with so many distractions.

Hiring a reliable real estate agent can help bring more serious buyers to the table during the holidays.
4. Festive Neighborhoods Are Inviting
One of the staples of the holiday months is that many people adorn their homes with festive lights and decorations. That is also true of local communities where lit-up snowflakes and wreaths can be found on lampposts up and down the main streets.

People purchasing a home during that time may see the neighborhood in a different light—more festive and cheerful—and may be more willing to consider an area that they may have been on the fence about.

Again, this is all about tugging on the heartstrings. People who buy during this time of year may be more prone to emotional purchases, so it bodes well if there are plenty of triggers that can reel them in from an emotional standpoint.

5. Year-End Job Transfers
Another good reason is timing. The end of the year is typically the time when people get notified they will be moving because of a job transfer, or perhaps an offer comes through from another company that's just too good to pass up.

Those people are going to need a home sooner rather than later and, as a result, they'll be hunting for a new home during the holidays. These buyers can’t wait for spring, which is one reason why listing during the holidays can get the home sold—and sold quickly.

6. End-of-Year Tax Breaks
Reducing the property tax bill may not be the main reason buyers purchase a new home, but it could be why serious buyers make a move during the holidays. That’s because buyers can deduct the mortgage interest, property taxes, and interest costs of the loan if a sale closes on or before December 31. New tax laws limit the deduction, of course, but the tax benefits could still prompt a buyer to move during the holidays instead of waiting until spring.

The Bottom Line
Nobody wants their home to languish on the market nor do they want to have to lower their asking price. And while many fear that reality if they list their home during the holidays, this often isn’t the case.

When you sell your home during the holidays, you will face less competition, find more serious buyers, and may even be up for a quicker sales process. It also presents a unique opportunity to create a warm and cozy environment that you can’t present during the spring and summer months.