What to Know About Home Selling in a Buyer's Market

When a real estate market is flooded with homes, buyers can afford to be choosey. Sellers, however, may see themselves at a disadvantage in a buyer's market because buyers can choose from more available properties and are more likely to include contingencies within a contract. However, it is not necessarily a bad time to sell a home if it is a buyer's market. Sellers simply need to know what to expect from potential buyers and understand how to navigate the market when selling a home.

Learn more about selling a home in a buyer's market today.

What Is a Buyer's Market?

In a buyer's market, there is more supply of houses than demand. Because of this, home buyers can choose to be more selective about the homes they purchase, which puts sellers in a position where they may have to accommodate certain requests in order to get their house sold. Buyers can often negotiate a price reduction or specific terms when making a serious offer on a home.

What can a seller expect when selling in a buyer's market? Houses may remain on the market for more time and may sell for less. There is more competition between those selling, especially when multiple homes with similar features are available in a community. Sellers may need to put more effort into a home to sell it quickly, such as by lowering the price or making upgrades to get it into excellent condition.

Know About Contingency Clauses

Contingency clauses are typical in a real estate contract. Such clauses need to be met for the sale of a home to go through, as clauses that are not met allow parties to back out of the agreement to buy a home. This is related to a buyer's market in that such clauses will be more likely to be included in contracts when buyers have more options. In a seller's market, a buyer may choose to forgo contingency clauses to appear more attractive to a home seller.

Canadian home-buying contingencies generally include a sale and settlement contingency, along with the settlement contingency. Certain actions are expected to be performed within specific periods in order to move the sale of a home along and safeguard the interests of contracted parties.

Tips to Sell a Home in a Buyer's Market

Selling a home in a buyer's market can be tricky, but with the right strategies, homeowners can maximize their chances of selling for a great price. Here are ways to help you get the most out of your sale.

Offer Incentives

Sellers can position themselves in a better position in a competitive housing market. This can include paying for closing costs for a buyer without wiggle room rather than reducing the asking price. This may work as a nice incentive as a potential homebuyer would then have more money initially to take care of immediate needs.

Know the Buyers

It's also important to know what potential buyers are looking for. First-time buyers may appreciate the inclusion of major appliances in the purchase of a home. Extras, such as home warranties or lawn equipment, can be thrown in to sweeten the deal if a potential buyer is interested. In addition, households with children may want to close before the start of the school year. Negotiating a contract with that in mind can motivate buyers and help sellers close faster on a home.

Price the Home Properly

Pricing your home correctly in a buyer's market is essential for it to sell quickly. Researching comparable property prices in the same area and setting a reasonable price can help attract potential buyers. Setting a higher price can be off-putting and make your house unappealing, but if it's too low, people will assume there's something wrong with it.

It's also important to remain flexible on the asking price—if you're not getting any offers or interest, it might be time to lower the price slightly. Some experts suggest pricing at least 5% below what you hope to get; this can entice buyers who are looking for a bargain and may result in multiple offers coming through.

Another consideration related to the price is sellers may find they need to make repairs on a home. This may occur prior to listing or after a home inspection. Some sellers may choose to lower their price on a home rather than taking the time to make requested repairs.

Marketing Efforts

It's important to consider creative home marketing efforts to attract potential buyers in a competitive market. Homeowners should focus on showing off the unique features of the property and emphasizing its advantages over other homes for sale in the area. Quality photos and videos that showcase the home from various angles can be helpful, as can writing a detailed description of its amenities, such as updated appliances or modernized decor. Taking advantage of online tools like social media campaigns and email blasts can reach a large audience quickly and efficiently.

Being Patient in a Buyer's Market

Buyers and sellers need to understand that there is a process, and challenges may come up when selling a home. Sellers may need to exert additional patience and effort in order to attract ideal buyers and have them close on a home. Extra efforts may be needed for those homes lingering on a market or which need significant upgrades. Speak with a reputable local agent to learn more about what to expect from buyers in a buyer's market.