Summer is the most popular time of year to move for several reasons. The weather is more predictable, the days are longer, and for those moving with children, it is much easier to transition between school years. It is a natural window to get settled into a new neighborhood before the busier autumn months arrive.
If you are picturing a moving truck in your driveway this July, it might feel like you have plenty of time. However, a successful move usually takes longer than people realize. To enjoy a move that feels like a milestone rather than a scramble, you have to work backward from your goal.
If you wait until summer actually arrives to start the process, you will likely find yourself rushing to keep up. Here is why a successful summer move actually begins in April.
Step One: The Preparation (2 to 4 Weeks)
Before the first buyer walks through your door, your home needs to look its absolute best. Buyers today are looking for spaces that feel well maintained and move in ready. This phase involves decluttering, touching up paint, and handling those small repairs that are easy to overlook.
This is also when we discuss staging. Whether we are rearranging your current furniture or bringing in professional pieces to highlight your home’s potential, staging is a key step in helping buyers visualize themselves in the space. Once the house is polished and staged, our team brings in a professional photographer to create your marketing materials.
Note: If you are planning more substantial updates like new flooring, major landscaping, or full home professional staging, your preparation phase will need more time. Reach out to us for a consultation so we can help you estimate a realistic start date based on your home’s specific needs.
Step Two: The Market and The Search (30 Days)
The real estate market is more balanced right now. This means homes are not necessarily selling in minutes like they did a few years ago. It is normal for a properly priced home to be on the market for about 30 days before the right offer is secured.
This 30 day window is also when your own home search moves into high gear. While we are busy marketing your current property, we are also touring homes with you to find your next one. Ideally, we want to align your purchase with your sale so you only have to move once.
Keep in mind: The time it takes to find a buyer can vary depending on your specific neighborhood and price point. Additionally, finding your next home can happen in a weekend or take several weeks. Starting early ensures you have the flexibility to find the right match for both.
Step Three: The Closing Process (30 to 45 Days)
Accepting an offer is a huge milestone, but the journey continues from there. Once a contract is signed, the closing process begins. The buyer will need time to schedule a home inspection, and their lender will need several weeks to order an appraisal and finalize the mortgage paperwork.
If you are also buying a home, our team coordinates both closings to happen back to back. This standard waiting period usually takes another 30 to 45 days to ensure both transactions are legally and financially sound.
Pro Tip: In a balanced market, most purchase offers are “contingent” on the sale of your current home. Managing this overlap is where having an experienced team is most valuable.
Doing the Math
When you add these steps together, a smooth and successful sale takes about 90 days from our first conversation to the day you hand over the keys.
If you want to be unpacking boxes in your new house by mid July, the clock is already ticking. To hit that target, your 90 day countdown starts right now in mid April.
Let Our Team Guide You
The secret to a stress free move is having a clear plan and a great team in your corner. You do not have to figure out this timeline on your own. We know how to manage the details, prioritize your preparation, and coordinate the search for your next home so the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
If you are thinking about selling your current property and looking for a new home this summer, the best time to start planning is today. Reach out to our team to start the conversation. We would love to help you make your summer move a reality.
Summer is the most popular time of year to move for several reasons. The weather is more predictable, the days are longer, and for those moving with children, it is much easier to transition between school years. It is a natural window to get settled into a new neighborhood before the busier autumn months arrive.
If you are picturing a moving truck in your driveway this July, it might feel like you have plenty of time. However, a successful move usually takes longer than people realize. To enjoy a move that feels like a milestone rather than a scramble, you have to work backward from your goal.
If you wait until summer actually arrives to start the process, you will likely find yourself rushing to keep up. Here is why a successful summer move actually begins in April.
Step One: The Preparation (2 to 4 Weeks)
Before the first buyer walks through your door, your home needs to look its absolute best. Buyers today are looking for spaces that feel well maintained and move in ready. This phase involves decluttering, touching up paint, and handling those small repairs that are easy to overlook.
This is also when we discuss staging. Whether we are rearranging your current furniture or bringing in professional pieces to highlight your home’s potential, staging is a key step in helping buyers visualize themselves in the space. Once the house is polished and staged, our team brings in a professional photographer to create your marketing materials.
Note: If you are planning more substantial updates like new flooring, major landscaping, or full home professional staging, your preparation phase will need more time. Reach out to us for a consultation so we can help you estimate a realistic start date based on your home’s specific needs.
Step Two: The Market and The Search (30 Days)
The real estate market is more balanced right now. This means homes are not necessarily selling in minutes like they did a few years ago. It is normal for a properly priced home to be on the market for about 30 days before the right offer is secured.
This 30 day window is also when your own home search moves into high gear. While we are busy marketing your current property, we are also touring homes with you to find your next one. Ideally, we want to align your purchase with your sale so you only have to move once.
Keep in mind: The time it takes to find a buyer can vary depending on your specific neighborhood and price point. Additionally, finding your next home can happen in a weekend or take several weeks. Starting early ensures you have the flexibility to find the right match for both.
Step Three: The Closing Process (30 to 45 Days)
Accepting an offer is a huge milestone, but the journey continues from there. Once a contract is signed, the closing process begins. The buyer will need time to schedule a home inspection, and their lender will need several weeks to order an appraisal and finalize the mortgage paperwork.
If you are also buying a home, our team coordinates both closings to happen back to back. This standard waiting period usually takes another 30 to 45 days to ensure both transactions are legally and financially sound.
Pro Tip: In a balanced market, most purchase offers are “contingent” on the sale of your current home. Managing this overlap is where having an experienced team is most valuable.
Doing the Math
When you add these steps together, a smooth and successful sale takes about 90 days from our first conversation to the day you hand over the keys.
If you want to be unpacking boxes in your new house by mid July, the clock is already ticking. To hit that target, your 90 day countdown starts right now in mid April.
Let Our Team Guide You
The secret to a stress free move is having a clear plan and a great team in your corner. You do not have to figure out this timeline on your own. We know how to manage the details, prioritize your preparation, and coordinate the search for your next home so the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
If you are thinking about selling your current property and looking for a new home this summer, the best time to start planning is today. Reach out to our team to start the conversation. We would love to help you make your summer move a reality.
Searching for a new home should be an exciting experience. This spring, as more houses hit the market, buyers finally have real options to choose from again. Having choices is a fantastic feeling. However, a sudden increase in options can sometimes make it tempting to pause your search and wait for a house that checks every single box perfectly.
While patience is important, putting your home search on hold can actually cost you more than you might expect. If you are thinking about waiting on the sidelines, here are a few hidden costs to consider and how a quick shift in strategy can help you find a great home today.
The Myth of Timing the Market
Many buyers decide to pause their search because they want to time the market perfectly. They decide to wait for interest rates to drop further or for prices to dip.
The truth is that predicting the real estate market is almost impossible. While you wait on the sidelines, home values often continue to slowly rise. At the same time, you are likely still paying rent, which means you are building equity for your landlord instead of yourself.
The best time to buy a house is simply when you are financially ready and plan to stay in the area for a while. Waiting for the stars to align perfectly often means you end up paying more in the long run.
Dealbreakers vs. Your Wish List
When there are more options available, it is surprisingly easy to get distracted. You might tour a house with a stunning outdoor kitchen and completely forget that it lacks the home office space you actually need.
To avoid getting distracted by shiny objects, you need a clear plan.
That is why we sit down with our buyers before we ever look at a house. We help you separate your absolute dealbreakers from your wish list. A dealbreaker is something you cannot easily change, like the neighborhood, the commute, or the size of the lot. A wish list item is something you can add or change later, like granite countertops or a specific paint color.
When you know exactly what you need, you can look at houses with a clear head.
Embracing the 80 Percent Rule
A great way to approach your search is to keep a simple concept in mind. If you find a home that meets 80 percent of your core needs and falls comfortably within your budget, it is a fantastic find.
You can always upgrade the remaining 20 percent over time to make the home truly your own. In fact, adding your own personal touches is one of the best parts of homeownership. Waiting for a home that checks 100 percent of your boxes usually leads to frustration and missed opportunities.
How Our Team Can Help
Finding the right home requires strategy, and you do not have to figure it out alone.
Our team is here to help you cut through the noise. We keep you focused on your true priorities so you do not get overwhelmed by the options. We also have the experience to spot the hidden potential in a home that you might have otherwise scrolled past online.
If you are ready to stop waiting and start building your future, let us help you find a great home today. Reach out to our team to talk about your goals, and we will help you turn your must-haves into a reality.
Searching for a new home should be an exciting experience. This spring, as more houses hit the market, buyers finally have real options to choose from again. Having choices is a fantastic feeling. However, a sudden increase in options can sometimes make it tempting to pause your search and wait for a house that checks every single box perfectly.
While patience is important, putting your home search on hold can actually cost you more than you might expect. If you are thinking about waiting on the sidelines, here are a few hidden costs to consider and how a quick shift in strategy can help you find a great home today.
The Myth of Timing the Market
Many buyers decide to pause their search because they want to time the market perfectly. They decide to wait for interest rates to drop further or for prices to dip.
The truth is that predicting the real estate market is almost impossible. While you wait on the sidelines, home values often continue to slowly rise. At the same time, you are likely still paying rent, which means you are building equity for your landlord instead of yourself.
The best time to buy a house is simply when you are financially ready and plan to stay in the area for a while. Waiting for the stars to align perfectly often means you end up paying more in the long run.
Dealbreakers vs. Your Wish List
When there are more options available, it is surprisingly easy to get distracted. You might tour a house with a stunning outdoor kitchen and completely forget that it lacks the home office space you actually need.
To avoid getting distracted by shiny objects, you need a clear plan.
That is why we sit down with our buyers before we ever look at a house. We help you separate your absolute dealbreakers from your wish list. A dealbreaker is something you cannot easily change, like the neighborhood, the commute, or the size of the lot. A wish list item is something you can add or change later, like granite countertops or a specific paint color.
When you know exactly what you need, you can look at houses with a clear head.
Embracing the 80 Percent Rule
A great way to approach your search is to keep a simple concept in mind. If you find a home that meets 80 percent of your core needs and falls comfortably within your budget, it is a fantastic find.
You can always upgrade the remaining 20 percent over time to make the home truly your own. In fact, adding your own personal touches is one of the best parts of homeownership. Waiting for a home that checks 100 percent of your boxes usually leads to frustration and missed opportunities.
How Our Team Can Help
Finding the right home requires strategy, and you do not have to figure it out alone.
Our team is here to help you cut through the noise. We keep you focused on your true priorities so you do not get overwhelmed by the options. We also have the experience to spot the hidden potential in a home that you might have otherwise scrolled past online.
If you are ready to stop waiting and start building your future, let us help you find a great home today. Reach out to our team to talk about your goals, and we will help you turn your must-haves into a reality.
