Where’s the Beef Inventory?
In a post last month titled, “Inventory Glut? Not in These Twin Cities Neighborhoods,” I related the surprising (and growing) lament amongst would-be Buyers and Buyers’ agents scouring various high-demand, local neighborhoods, only to find slim (or no) pickings.
What accounts for that?
Part of the explanation is that this year’s never-ending Winter has delayed various Seller projects and repairs (ice dams, anyone?) that typically precede putting your house on the market.
Another reason is that Sellers who have discretion about timing are (still) waiting for warm weather to punch up their barren front lawns and curb appeal.
Skittish Sellers, Fussy Buyers
However, there’s a third reason gaining currency amongst many Twin Cities Realtors (including this one): skittish Sellers are acutely aware that it’s a Buyer’s market, and are doing more pre-market prep than ever before.
Which makes sense.
If today’s Buyers are beating up anything that isn’t well-priced and move-in ready — and they are — if you want to sell . . . your home had better be well-priced and move-in ready.
Unfortunately, if you own an older home and have been there for years (decades?), that can take some doing — and time.
Maybe this is the year that the “Spring housing market” arrives — along with Spring — closer to Summer.
