Winter, spring, summer or fall? When is the best time of year to sell a house?
Answering that question correctly depends on a few things, such as supply and demand and the popularity of your neighborhood and community. But as we know, there are statistics for everything, and today’s statistics indicate that spring is one of the best times of year to sell a house.
Where you live — and the weather you experience —may impact the best time of year to sell a house. Warmer weather and more daylight are proven to be beneficial to the home-selling process. Homeowners who follow this guideline tend to sell faster than average, and at a higher premium.
In addition to warmer weather and more daylight, there are other factors that impact the home-selling process, such as the school calendar. Homeowners with children prefer to be settled in well before the beginning of a new school year.
Let’s face it, homes look better in the spring than in the winter. Sunlight, green grass and blooming flowers will do that, and curb appeal is very important to home buyers.
Keep in mind that every state, every city, and every neighborhood can be different, and with the current high demand for homes in our area, it’s always a good time to sell!
Your best bet is to seek the advice of an experienced real estate team that has been through this process hundreds of times and knows everything about the communities where they do business — including the seasonal tendencies of home buyers and sellers. For more information and assistance, please contact The Olear Team today.
Think you’re ready to sell? Check out our free article “Five Costly Seller Mistakes,” to learn even more about the selling process.
When a dear friend or family member passes and has named you executor of his or her will, it should truly be viewed as an honor. But what does it mean to be executor of an estate?
In simple terms, it means that you have been chosen to work within the laws of the state where the deceased individual resided to liquidate and close out the estate. Consider it the very last wish of your friend or family member.
Depending on the amount of property, investments and personal belongings owned, and debts to be paid, it can also be a lengthy and complicated process.
What does it mean to be executor of an estate?
If you find yourself asking that question, here are some highlights to familiarize yourself with:
First, ask yourself if you have the time to serve as executor. Even if you were named in the will, you can still decline. Serving as executor will require time to gather and secure all property, notify beneficiaries and others that need to be notified of the death, working with real estate agents and attorneys to liquidate assets, visiting probate court and more.
If you’re lacking in certain skills, especially organizational skills, you might also want to reconsider serving as executor. A good executor is someone who is well organized and willing to keep a record of all conversations and transactions relating to the liquidation of the estate.
As executor, you’ll need to follow the letter of the law as it pertains to the state where the individual resided. Laws governing executors vary from state to state, so it’s best to work with an experienced Realtor and estate attorney to help you through the process. Probate court officials are also helpful in answering any questions you may have.
Once you’ve made the decision to move forward as executor of an estate, you will be tasked with many duties, including:
Contacting probate court
Gathering all legal documents, financial records, deeds to property, etc.
Locating and securing all property that will eventually be liquidated.
Paying all bills, such as the homeowner’s mortgage, utility and credit card bills, and taxes.
You also have to file tax returns on behalf of the deceased.
Upon approval of probate court, you may distribute the assets of the estate to any and all beneficiaries.
Finally, you will need to return to probate court to officially close the estate. Again, depending on the size of the estate, this could take many months to complete.
While it may sound a bit overwhelming at first, it’s not impossible. Estate are closed on a daily basis in this country. If you need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact The Olear Team today!
If you have to sell a house for someone else as executor or power of attorney and have questions or would like more information on how we can help, complete the form below and we’ll contact you at a convenient time for you.
Are you thinking about selling your home this spring? Here are some steps that help explain how to get a house ready to sell.
Get your papers in order. Start gathering your utility and tax bills and any other papers related to your home and mortgage. These will be very helpful when it’s time to sit down with a Realtor.
Start gathering moving supplies such as boxes, packing tape, newspapers and bubble wrap.
No one likes walking around in the dark, so make sure all the lightbulbs are all working. If a room still seems a little too dark, increase the bulb wattage or consider adding another lamp to brighten more area.
Tackle small home improvement projects. A fresh coat of a neutral paint will really freshen up a room. In bathrooms and the kitchen, consider updating the fixtures and make sure the faucets aren’t dripping.
The bathroom should be sparkling clean, and that includes the shower door, tub and toilet. If the home was built a couple of decades ago and the toilet is original, you should consider replacing it with something a little more current.
The kitchen should also be spotless, from the floor to the countertops to the top of the refrigerator. Don’t forget to clean under the appliances, too. And clean out the appliances if they are part of the sale. Add an attractive fruit bowl and you’ll be good to go!
Declutter the bedrooms and remove as many personal items as possible. You want perspective buyers to see themselves in the home … not you and your kids. Don’t forget those dust bunnies under the beds!
Spend some time preparing the basement — declutter, clean and organize! Invest in some shelving to get items off the floor and create the appearance of more usable space.
Buyers love closet space, so this is a good time to go through everything, set aside items and clothing you’re no longer using, and make a drop-off at your local Goodwill store.
Don’t forget the floors. If they’re in good shape, a standard cleaning should be enough. If you have pets and a muddy yard, you may want to hire a professional cleaning service to do a deep cleaning.
Once the inside is looking good, turn your attention to the exterior. Windows should be washed, the lawn should be maintained, etc. Think curb appeal! If the outside is a mess, they probably won’t come inside.
Are you a pet owner? If so, get them out of the house when showing the property, and remove all reminders such as toys and bowls.
Because so many people now do their house-hunting online, take some eye-catching photos of your property, inside and out. If photography isn’t your thing, ask a friend or consider hiring a professional.
Does your house pass the smell test? After all this cleaning, it should! But keep in mind that it never hurts to light a pleasant-smelling candle.
And finally, when you’re figuring out how to get a house ready to sell, find an experienced Realtor who knows the neighborhood, has a successful track record and seems easy to work with. You’ll be spending a lot of time together over the coming weeks, so you may want to interview several Realtors until you find the perfect match.
For more information and assistance, please contact The Olear Team today!
Want to learn even more about how to get a house ready to sell? Fill out this form to receive our free article “Six Money-Making Staging Tips.”
If you’ve been named as an executor of an estate, there will likely come a time when you will ask the question, Can the executor of an estate sell property? While the simple answer is yes, these situations are far more complicated and require more than a simple yes or no answer. And, there are two ways an executor can sell property; you can sell through probate or without going through probate, depending on the particulars of your situation.
Probate is usually necessary when someone dies without making specific plans for the property. The executor must then be granted authority through probate court to legally act in the best interest of the estate.
The executor’s power to liquidate an estate and sell property comes from two sources — the will of the deceased individual and state law. However, being an executor is never as simple as just selling a home.
There are many other responsibilities that an executor is charged with, including:
Paying all outstanding debts (utility bills, mortgages payments, etc.)
Paying all required taxes.
Securing all property such as personal belongings, real estate, finances, automobiles, collectibles, jewelry, etc.
Communicating with beneficiaries and the court throughout the process.
Help is always available
This is just a very rough guideline, and things can get more or less complicated due to a number of factors such as living trusts, jointly held real estate and the wishes of the beneficiaries named in the will. Our best advice to you is to consult with an experienced Realtor and a real estate attorney for guidance as it pertains to your current situation.
Remember that no two situations are ever the same, and the laws that govern executors and estate vary from state to state. Please contact The Olear Team for additional advice and assistance.
Can the executor of an estate sell property?
If you still have questions or have to sell a house for someone else as executor or power of attorney or would like more information on how we can help, complete the form below and we’ll contact you at a convenient time for you.
