With six more weeks of winter – Happy Groundhog Day! – Use some of the following tips to sell or buy your LBI home in this winter season
If you are selling a Long Beach Island home…
- List your LBI property today-the buyers that are looking in the winter are serious buyers.
- Price to sell it-trust your realtor and the comparable market analysis
- The deal may go quicker (loans, inspections, etc.) in a slower winter market and your buyer will be anxious to get in before summer to enjoy their new beach home or get those rentals secured if it is an investment property.
- Brighten up the house –keep windows uncovered –people want to see that view when they walk in especially if you are selling an Oceanfront or Bayfront home! Don’t hide one of the most important reasons of buying a house at the shore-the view.
- Most homes on LBI are second homes (vacation or investment homes) and homeowners close up their homes in the winter so, make sure the seasonal clutter is cleared away. Don’t pile up all the patio furniture in your living room especially in front of windows. Give the house a good cleaning before closing it up for the season.
- This season on Long Beach Island, there already has been several snowfalls so, when it snows, shovel the sidewalk, walkway, and steps and put sand or salt down to prevent ice from forming.
- Place a doormat by the front door so mud and snow are not tracked through your home.
- Hang summer pictures to create the mood-display beach photos, spectacular Long Beach Island sunrise and sunset photos, photos taken anywhere on LBI to create and promote the wonderful LBI community.
- If your house has been on the market for a while, try a fresh coat of paint and fun seashore décor to create a “life is better at the beach” attitude.
- A furnished home helps people visualize the rooms better.
If you are buying a Long Beach Island home…
- Buy your LBI property today-you’ll have the house to enjoy for the summer or secure summer rental income for your investment property.
- There may be less competition from other buyers before things pick up in the spring.
- Lower prices may be negotiated if you find a motivated seller and because there are fewer buyers on the market today.
Refer to my Long Beach Island Waterfront Supply vs. Demand article for more information on the number of LBI Waterfront Buyers and Sellers.
Also, refer to my LBI Oceanfront and Bayfront Statistics page.
- The deal may go quicker (loans, inspections, etc.) in a slower winter market and you’ll get in before summer to enjoy your new beach home or get those rentals secured if it is an investment property.
- Dress warmly –summer homes on LBI are shut down without heat and water and you want to be able to spend time looking at your future investment.
- Try not to track mud and snow into the house.
- Come back when the snow melts to check parts of the property that are hidden by a snowfall especially the roof or foundation.
For properties currently available for sale and for those under contract, please feel free to call me. I would be happy to e-mail, mail, or fax current Multiple Listing Computer detailed reports
If a property is no longer being used, now is the time to sell to a buyer that enjoys LBI and the dreams LBI creates! Most buyers are excited that they can now afford a vacation home on LBI! With attractive mortgage interest rates and lower prices, along with a variety of properties to choose from, it’s a great time to buy or sell on LBI!
