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Smart phones are the new desktop; quinoa is the new rice, Uber is the new taxi and for the real estate market, winter is the new spring. Yes, winter (Dec. 21 through March 20) is an opportune time to sell your home!

To be honest, this actually isn’t breaking news in most real estate markets, especially in Georgia. The winter months have predictably been very good for home sellers, perhaps even better than the spring. A property not only sells, but it sells faster than if it were listed in the spring. Buyers are more motivated this time of year (fewer tire kickers) and there is less competition: the perfect combination of factors to sell a home where the seller is in the driver’s seat.

I always anticipate being very busy in January and February. I currently have a number of new listings coming on the market in the next few weeks and more in the pipeline.

So if you are considering selling your home now, I want you to start thinking about answers to these questions before we meet:

What is your time frame to move? It’s not unusual for sellers to rent back from their buyers (particularly for families with school-aged children) if they need additional time to find a new home.

May we set up a lockbox to access your home? Using a lockbox exposes your home to far more potential buyers than by “appointment only” by allowing licensed realtors to obtain your key. You can stipulate times when you don’t want your house shown and I will always know who came by so I can follow up to obtain feedback.

Would you consider having your home inspected in advance? If you have an older home, it may be worth the $400 investment (on average) to find out in advance what may need addressing. This gives your potential buyer a huge warm fuzzy.

Would you be willing to have your home staged if necessary? As the saying goes, “Homes that show well, close well.”

Would you consider making key repairs and/or renovations if necessary? In almost all cases the cost to make a home repair or improvement is less expensive than the perceived cost to potential buyers.

Can we hold an agent caravan on a Tuesday during the week to showcase your home? When I list your home, the first thing I do is invite agents to tour your home. Many of them are shopping properties for clients and this is a great way to get on their radar!

Would you be willing to negotiate on closing costs if necessary? While this may not be necessary, it’s always a good idea to be armed with small incentives to close a deal.

How do you want to handle multiple offers? Each transaction is different and I will advise you on the best course of action to take to ensure that you receive the most money for your home or the best outcome for your needs!