Everywhere you turn you hear how the market is picking up and prices are increasing.  This is definitely true.  However, even if you think your house will be worth more in a year or two, today might still be the best time to sell your home.  This is especially true if you’re trying to move up into a larger house.  Here are a few factors why:

1. Interest rates are still very low.  Recently we’ve seen them start to move up, but overall they’re still low and there are more buyers when the rates are low.  It makes your house that you’re selling easier to purchase and afford.  As rates go up into the higher numbers, we might see the buyer pool dwindle.  When a buyer has limited income and the rates go up, the amount of a loan a bank will give them goes down.
2. If you’re looking to move up into a home, not only will that home you want to move into most likely cost more in a year or two, but it will be harder to finance.   Selling today will allow you to lock in a lower interest rate and a lower sales price on your purchase.
3. Inventory is very low.  The private equity groups that are buying thousands of homes at a time are really depleting the remaining inventory for the consumers.   That means when a house comes onto the market, it usually doesn’t last that long.  When the ducks are quacking, feed ‘em!  It’s a good time to sell because of all the pent up demand.  If you drive around Southwest Florida, you’ll see new developments popping up all over town.  It’s only a matter of time before buyers once again are overwhelmed with choices.  That leads to a slowing market.
4. Investors are on the prowl.  There are still plenty of investors all over the market trying to buy up whatever they can find.  Today is a good opportunity to sell to one of them – will a year or two from now also be a good time?  I’m not sure.  I’ve read that consecutive months of price appreciation have been going at a rapid pace, almost creating a bubble.  I think that we were so low on the bottom after the market crash that it’s inevitable, but there is also some truth to that.

You can never call the top or bottom, so if you are seriously considering selling in the near future, now is a good time.  Don’t forget the crash we all just went through! It’s not fun to be the last one holding the bag.  Good luck selling!

Gabe Mellein was voted a Top Real Estate Agent – Exceptional in Service and Overall Satisfaction by Gulfshore Life Magazine in 2012 and 2013.  He is the broker of Gulf Pointe Properties, Inc and has over 9 years experience in the SW Florida Real Estate Market.  He is a member of The Naples Area Board of Realtors, Bonita Springs – Estero Association of Realtors, Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, The Florida Association of Realtors, The National Association of Realtors, and is nationally certified in Feng Shui for Real Estate.  Need real estate help?  Please contact Gabe at:  239.825.2234, Gabe@GulfPointeProperties.com  or www.GulfPointeProperties.com