The day after Thanksgiving, known as “Black Friday,” is the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Given the demand for houses here in the Treasure Valley, a new home for the holidays seems to be at the top of many people’s Christmas wish list.
Even amidst a pandemic, the Treasure Valley has seen unprecedented demand for homes. The downside to the demand is that there isn’t much supply available, and home prices continue their speedy, record-breaking ascent.
So, unlike most Black Fridays, where retailers slash prices and offer doorbusters to entice people to shop, sellers in the Treasure Valley are going to be in the driver’s seat from a negotiation standpoint. Even as home sales tend to slow approaching the holidays, demand continues to be robust for housing as people move into the area from out of state while others are looking to trade up to take advantage of historically low-interest rates.
If you’re in a position to sell your home, make sure you use a REALTOR® to ensure you get top dollar for your home. Buyers are willing to make concessions in their offers as there usually are lots of people vying for the same property. Having an agent represent you gives you peace of mind knowing that you have an advocate on your side, working on getting you the best possible deal.
The same is valid for people looking to buy a home. While this market is extremely competitive, you need someone who has access to tools and a robust network of connections to find a house to your liking. Homes listed in the MLS as “coming soon” have showings scheduled before the listing is even “active,” and people who have REALTORS® looking for properties on their behalf will know about opportunities before they’re publicly available. And, since many of the homes that hit the Boise area market tend to go pending as soon as they’re listed, those are missed opportunities for people who aren’t working with an agent.
Also, working with an agent to buy a house helps make sure any offers you submit will be competitive, as they have seen what works and what doesn’t in terms of bidding on a home.
So, on this Black Friday, if a new home is on your wish list, be sure to connect with a REALTOR® to help you in your search. And as an added bonus, working with a Mike Brown Group agent helps area non-profits through the Together We Give Foundation.
