Selling Your Home Starts With a Smart Plan
Boutique guidance, realistic timelines, and thoughtful preparation to help you sell with confidence.
What Most Sellers Aren't Told, But Should Be
Selling a home isn't just about pricing and photos.
It's about understanding how your home's condition, maintenance history, and updates affect timing, buyer perception, and final values.
Our role is to help you:
Understand where your home truly stands in today's market
Focus on what actually matters before listing
Avoid over-improving or under-preparing
Create a strategy that fits your timeline and goals
Elite Broker Blogs
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December 2025 Merrimack Valley Real Estate
Sopris Realty LLC | By: Kat Jalbert
Boutique Real Estate in the Heart of the Merrimack Valley
What's Really Happening This Month
Winter may slow down showing activity in New England, but the quality of buyers actually increases. There are fewer buyers "just looking" and more "ready to write an offer."
A few highlights for December:
Interest rates continue shifting daily. Buyers who stayed on the sidelines this fall are re-entering the market.
Inventory remains tight across Southern, NH & North Central MA, keeping well-priced homes competitive.
Sellers who list now benefit from motivated buyers, less competition, and faster closings heading into the new year.
Why Winter Sellers Win👊
Most people assume spring is the best time to sell, but December often creates the perfect conditions for a strong sale. Here's Why:
Low Inventory: Your not competing against 15 other listings.
Motivated Buyers: Year-end job changes, personal deadline, relocations, and life transitions drive serious offers.
Cozy Factor: Homes show beautifully with warm lighting, tasteful decor, and holiday charm.
Faster Timelines: Lenders, inspectors, and attorneys
often have more availability.
Pro Tip: If your home needs light updating (paint, flooring, kitchen refresh), to help your home stand out, we can help you prepare everything based on current market trends for maximum appeal.
Realtor Tip of the Month
If your home has been sitting, It's time to adjust your strategy.
A few high-impact updates can drastically change a buyers perspective on the home. Here are a few suggestions under $5,000:
▶️ Fresh interior paint (whites & soft creams)
▶️ Updated light fixtures
▶️ Modern hardware on cabinets
▶️ Deep clean & professional staging
▶️ Declutter & simplify shelving
These updates can create a 3-5x ROI and can increase showing activity.
🙋 Have questions about which updates matter most? I can walk your property and create a customized plan for you.
🚨 Hot off the Press! 🚨
New Fannie Mae Update: Lower Credit Score Requirements
As of November 16th, Fannie Mae removed the 620 minimum credit score requirement. This Means:
More buyers can qualify for conventional loans
Pre-approvals may broaden
Credit scores still impacts interest rate
(higher scores = better pricing)Stronger opportunity for first-time and lower-
down-payment borrowers.
If you've been hesitant to start the pre-approval process, now is a great time!
We can connect you with a trusted local lender.
✨ Community Spotlight
Local Holiday Events in the Merrimack Valley
🎄Milford Holiday Stroll | December 6th, 9am - 2pm
🎄Nashua Winter Holiday Craft Fair | December 6th, 11am - 4pm
🎄 Londonderry Christmas on the Common | December 7th, 3pm - 6pm
🎄Hollis Town Tree Lighting | December 13th, 10am-7pm
🎄Litchfield's Holly Jolly Journey | Now through January 11th, 4:30 pm daily
Active Listings 🏠
For Sale | 195 Corning Rd, Manchester, NH | $4245,000
Solid 3 bed, 2 Bath home with potential, perfect for a buyer wanting to personalize their own space for instant equity. New price reflects adjustments based on current market.
For Rent | 107 Russell St. #2, Manchester, NH | $1,850/Mo
Second floor 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment in Manchester, NH. Charming New England character, hardwood floors throughout, includes an enclosed porch and small deck.
Pets allowed, No off-street parking.
💚Life Lately with Kat
This season has been full of gratitude, balancing motherhood, clients, and preparing for another baby on the way🤭. It has reminded me why I’m so committed to simplifying the real estate process for families here in New Hampshire & Massachusetts. In the past few months I've been working on our brokerages social media presence, developing new business models to help our sellers, and continuing to help place homeless Veterans into safe homes. We are working through a small home project, expanding a safe place for our boys to play. I am so excited to get into 2026 and continue building this beautiful life with you all!
🤝 How I Can Help You This Month
Whether you're buying, selling, downsizing, or planning a land + build project, I offer:
Complementary home value assessments
Buyer strategy sessions
Land + ADU consultations through Kinstruct Tiny Homes
Listing consolations & prep to get high visibility for your home in the first week
Reach out any time, even if you're in the "just thinking about it" stages.
[email protected] | (603) 833-5191
Thank your for being a part of the Sopris Community.
Wishing you warmth, peace, and momentum as we head into the new year. 🍾
-Kat Jalbert
Sopris Realty LLC
Your Neighbor. Your Guide. Your Real Estate & ADU Specialist.
How Ready Is Your Home for the Market?
This quick self-check helps you understand where your home falls and what the smartest next step might be.
Give yourself 1 point for each statement that is true.
A. Overall Maintenance & Systems (0-5 points)
Roof, windows, or siding have been replaced or updated in the last 10 years
Heating and cooling systems are 10 years old or newer
Plumbing and electrical systems have been updated or well-maintained
No known active leaks, moisture issues, or recurring maintenance concerns
Regular upkeep and servicing has been done through out ownership
Score: 0-5
B. Ownership, Updates & Major Improvements (0-5 points)
You've owned the home less than 10 years or completed updated during long-term ownership
Kitchen and/or bathrooms have been updated in the last 10-15 years
Flooring has been replaced or refreshed within the last 10 years
Major appliances were replaced in the last 5-7 years
Any past renovations were completed professionally or with permits where required
Score: 0-5
C. Cosmetic & First-Impression Factors (0-5 points)
Interior paint feels neutral, clean, and move-in ready
Lighting, hardware, and fixtures feel updated and cohesive
Curb appeal has been maintained or improved (landscaping, entry, exterior details)
Layout functions well for today's buyers (flow, storage, usability)
Home shows well with minimal clutter or deferred cosmetic items
Score: 0-5
Total Score: 0-15
What Your Score Means
0-5: Strategy & Preparation Recommended
Your home may benefit from a pre-listing walkthrough to identify what will matter most to buyers and what you can safely ignore.
Best Next Step:
We'll discuss the few things that make the biggest impact along with practical options.
6 - 10: Solid Foundation With Opportunity
Your home is in good shape, with a few areas that could improve presentation or market positioning.
Best Next Step:
We'll align prep, pricing, and timing to help you maximize value without over-investing.
11 - 15: Strong Market Readiness
Your home appears well-maintained and competitively positioned for today's market.
Best Next Step:
Let's confirm pricing, timing, and launch strategy.
This self-check is meant to create awareness, not replace a professional evaluation. Every home and market is different.
A More Realistic Selling Timeline
Every home is different. our Job is to help you choose the timeline that fits your goals, whether that's speed, value, or a balance of both.
🕒 Market-Ready Homes
Prep: 1-2 weeks
On Market: 1-3 weeks
Contract → Close: 30 days
🕒 Homes Needing Light Prep
Prep: 3-6 weeks
On Market: 2-4 weeks
Contract → Close: 30 - 45 days
🕒 Homes Needing Significant Prep
Prep: 6-10+ weeks
On Market: Varies
Contract → Close: 30 - 45 days
Our Boutique Listing Approach
Honest Prep Guidance
We tell you what matters and what doesn't for listing prep.
Strategic Pricing
Based on data, buyer behavior, and local nuance.
Elevated Marketing
Clean presentation, thoughtful positioning, and storytelling.
Clear Communication
You will always know where things stand.
Answering Your Most Common Selling Questions
How do I know when it's the right time to sell?
The right time depends on your goals, not just the market. We help you weigh timing, condition, and life changes to determine the best moment for you.
Do I need to renovate before selling?
Not always. Many renovations don't return their full cost. We help you identify which updates add value and which ones you can skip.
What if my home isn't "perfect"?
Most homes aren't. Buyers expect lived-in homes. The key is understanding how condition affects pricing and buyer perception.
How will my home be priced?
Pricing is based on comparable sales in the area, current demand, condition, and market momentum.
It's part data, part strategy.
Depending on the condition of your home (you can use the self-check quiz above) it may make sense to have one of our agents come out and do a pre-listing consultation. This will give you a realistic understanding of where your home stands in the current market.
What costs should I expect when selling?
Common costs include agent fees, transfer taxes, and potential concessions. We walk through everything upfront so there are no surprises.
Selling Starts With Clarity
Whether you're just thinking about selling or actively planning your next move, we're here to hep you understand your options, without pressure.
Ready to Explore Your Next Move?
Let's connect and create a strategy tailored to your investments and goals.
Equal Housing Opportunity. A Proud Equal Opportunity Real Estate Brokerage
Sopris Realty LLC, the Sopris Realty LLC logo, and other various trademarks, logos, designs, and slogans are the registered and unregistered trademarks of Sopris Realty LLC.
Corporate Responsibility, Privacy & Legal Notices: Sopris Realty LLC is a licensed real estate brokerage in NH & MA. No guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind is made regarding the completeness or accuracy of descriptions or measurements (including square footage measurements and property condition), such should be independently verified, and Sopris Realty LLC expressly disclaims any liability in connection therewith. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. © Sopris Realty LLC 2025.
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