Best season to list your home in Central Florida (Orlando: mortgage, foreclosures)

[mattncind]

Well we are looking to put our home on the market sometime this year. All the "experts" are saying that we should see somewhat of an upswing in the housing market by mid year so hopefully that happens.

So does anyone have any advice as to what time of the year is best to put your home on the market in Central Florida? Specifically this year. Or does it make sense to hold onto early next year (keeping in mind that the latest we would like to list it is first thing 08)

Thanks in advance

[Floridasunshine]

We were always told the spring is best time to put home on market, due to lots of families wont move during school season. But we did sell our last home in December to older couple. We are considering it ourselves but not sure if market is ready yet.

[AJ67]

no the market is not ready, and according to some experts if something is'nt done about our crippiling economy then no time in the hear future will be a good time.. The Us Dollar with in the next 5 yrs will become worthless...because this govt owes EVERYONE...so unless the GOVt gets their heads out of their BUMMS no one will be selling or buying anywhere

[Jammie]

If there's any way that you can hold on to your home for a few more years, it may be the best for you. Right now the news stories that are out are talking about the ARMS starting to readjust from the early 2000s. They still have 2003-2006 to go through for the readjustments. The market is becoming flooded because of foreclosures and houses for sale because many people are bailing out since the cost of HOI and taxes are so high. It's a buyer's market and a renter's market so unless you bought your home several years ago and can sell it for a low price, it doesn't appear to be the best time for you to sell.

[Floridasunshine]

We sold our last home at 2 yrs ( to avoid the capital gains tax) we made 51,0000, money in Dec 2004. Now the home is on the market for another 100 thousand, curious to see if it sells. The victims are the northern who come down here and think our prices are good. The vacant investor home next door to me has sat empty since June last yr. 3 across the street from me are rentals now. So they cannot sell. But southern Homes is selling to first time buyers like crazy, I wonder if it is the mortgages we are reading about in paper today.

[bsmiles35]

sorry to say i think you are in a bad spot.we got out just in time,bought in 2000 and sold last nov.we made almost $150,000 but the sellers market was stopping,im in construction and i tell you it stopped dead down there,we made the move just in time.now we are in forest city n.c..and it is building here,of course nothing like central fl. did.i soo dont miss it,was born and raised there but no way would i ever go back..good luck..

[WCFORME]

I think this holds true in any market, slow or piping hot. If your property is priced fairly, is clean as it can possibly be, free of defects and beautifully staged it will sell - it just may take a few months and you may not make a killing. Be patient and pray to St. Joseph - he will intercede on your behalf if you ask him to. We've used him for every purchase and sale and it's never failed us yet! Good Luck, you'll be fine

[AJ67]

St Joseph...don't youhave to bury his statue in the front yard upside down? for anything to happen

[jbravo]

Actually activity has picked up last 2 weeks. Got two full price offers on my house and chose the one I thought has best chance of closing. Curiously, rejected the "cash" offer. Accepted doctors offer he's puttting 20% towards purchase. None can say for sure. Prices may go down to 2001 prices before they rebound, or lower. Then again, the powers that be are trying to stop that. Funny how no one has posted that the insurance rate decreases and tax breaks being talked about are just that, a desperate effort to avoid a meltdown in prices. Will it work? I don't know. I close on the 13th or earlier next month(April) I'll rejoice!

[leaving-orlando]

Originally Posted by mattncind

Well we are looking to put our home on the market sometime this year. All the "experts" are saying that we should see somewhat of an upswing in the housing market by mid year so hopefully that happens.

So does anyone have any advice as to what time of the year is best to put your home on the market in Central Florida? Specifically this year. Or does it make sense to hold onto early next year (keeping in mind that the latest we would like to list it is first thing 08)

Thanks in advance

I wouldn't expect an upswing in the market by mid-year. I'd list it now and price it to sell. By "price it to sell" I mean take an honest look at homes in your immediate area that have sold in the last three months. Price it in that range and you'll sell it. If you follow most sellers and price it like it was August of 2005 you'll sit for months and months like everyone else. There are 22,000 homes on the market in MetroOrlando these days. If you don't price it right, you don't have a chance.