All over the country, aspiring home sellers are kicking themselves for failing to put their property on the market during the pandemic, when owners reigned supreme. That’s when multiple offers were the norm, not the exception, and eager buyers sought to outdo each other with escalator clauses that pushed prices over list.

Yet smart sellers should keep perspective on the current, more balanced market, “which continues to offer them many positives,” says Stacy Berman, a real estate agent who’s sold homes for more than two decades.

“You may not get the super-escalated price available to you during the pandemic, but you’re going to get a good deal on the next home you buy,” Berman says.

Danielle Hale, the chief economist for Realtor.com, the home listing service, doesn’t anticipate a major decline in home values. Rather, she says “price growth is slowing moderately as the housing market resets in a relatively balanced fashion.”

List prices are down in most parts of the country, it’s true. But homeowners who choose to sell this winter, either before or after the holidays, should fare relatively well, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors (nar.realtor).

“The upcoming months should see a return of buyers, as mortgage rates appear to have already peaked and have been coming down since mid-November,” Yun says.

Berman insists that in most parts of the country, the winter months are typically a favorable period to sell. Demand has been especially strong in recent years, given that so many young adults have entered their prime home-buying years. This population cohort includes a large number who failed to score a purchase to date in 2022.

“Pent-up demand remains excellent for sellers, especially among first-time buyers,” she says.

Here are a few pointers for those who want or need to sell in the near future:

-- Consider the advice of pros in the real estate field.

Sid Davis, author of “A Survival Guide to Selling a Home,” notes that those wishing to sell during the holiday season are especially likely to challenge the counsel of the listing agent they hire. Often, they want to set a higher price for the property than their agent recommends. They’re also inclined to question the need to spend for pre-sale home improvements.

But those who are determined to sell in the near future should try to avoid such conflicts. The best way to do so is to carefully select a listing agent you trust to give you the best possible advice.

“Look for an agent who is thoroughly familiar with property values in your area. Try to find someone who has sold homes there for at least two to three years. Also, ask for references and then question former clients about whether the agent’s advice proved sound,” Davis says.

-- Clarify your timing priorities if selling in December.

Many people are unusually busy in December, when holiday-related activities crowd their already hectic schedules. But because home-sale preparations can eat up many hours, Davis suggests that sellers on a tight deadline consider simplifying some of their holiday plans.

“You’re going to have to triage. Over the long run, it’s probably a lot better for your pocketbook to put your heart and soul into selling rather that expending all that energy on ultra-fancy holiday arrangements,” Davis says.

-- Don’t cancel your plans for holiday decor.

Though it’s never necessary for sellers to decorate extensively for the winter holidays, a simple and elegant type of décor is not a bad idea, assuming it’s tastefully done.

“Go ahead and put up lights and bring in holly and evergreen boughs if that’s what you normally do. You can also use a Christmas tree if you’d like, but don’t get one so big that it makes your place seem crowded,” Davis says.

-- Ensure that your home is accessible for as long as it’s on the market.

These days many prospective buyers are able to wrap up their property search quickly because they preview property on the internet.

“Most buyers are doing a huge amount of pre-screening on the internet before they even set foot in a single place. People are extremely web-savvy, and prior to a property tour they’ve already done an extensive review of the available homes,” Davis says.

What does this mean for wintertime home sellers? He says this makes it imperative that your home be available for showings every day and that you don’t let holiday activities block access to potential buyers who may be home shopping for just two or three days.

“A big penalty is inflicted on those who refuse to let prospects into their home when it’s inconvenient. You’ve got to keep your home accessible or risk missing some of the most eager buyers of the year -- people who have to make a major move during the first quarter,” Davis says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

It was four years ago this month when a musician and his wife, a pharmaceutical company manager, happened upon a Victorian house that thrilled them. Built in 1901, the place featured high ceilings as well as classic moldings and built-ins. Also, it was set on a full acre lot on a restful roadway.

“They loved the house but because this was before the frenzied pandemic-era seller’s market, they could take their time mulling over the purchase. Then, after their bid, they could hire a home inspection firm -- which ultimately led to a price reduction due to the discovery of roofing and electrical problems,” says Rich Rosa, the real estate broker who represented the couple.

Rosa, who co-owns a realty firm with 18 brokers, says current buyers are once again able to enjoy the benefits of a more balanced real estate market.

“Of course, mortgage rates will continue to stay high until the Federal Reserve beats inflation out of the economy. But that problem won’t last forever, and in coming years you can refinance when rates come back down,” says Rosa, who since 1997 has refinanced his own mortgage 17 times.

He discourages those with stable jobs and down payment funds from staying on the sidelines if they’re able to afford a first home in the near future.

“Don’t try to time the market if you’re in a position financially to buy now and intend to stay in the same house for five to seven years,” says Rosa, president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (naeba.org).

Of course, many renters are not currently in a good position to buy a home. Realistically, they must wait until mortgage rates moderate and inventories loosen.

“It’s OK to stay on the sidelines for a matter of months, so long as you use the time to get your ducks in a row and that includes contacting more than one mortgage lender to learn about available home loan programs,” Rosa says.

Here are a few pointers for would-be buyers:

-- Inform yourself on mortgage products.

The mortgage market is always evolving. In addition to the traditional 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, new loan products are constantly developed by the industry.

Most mortgage innovations involve adjustable rate mortgages of one type or another. But they can differ dramatically relative to their names, terms and conditions.

“It’s always a good idea to know what you want before you start shopping around for a mortgage,” says Keith Gumbinger, a vice president at HSH.com, which tracks home loan markets across the country.

He says first-time buyers need as much lead time as possible to educate themselves on mortgage basics, to cull through alternative home loan choices and to compare lenders and rates.

“One way to learn is through internet resources,” says Gumbinger, who suggests mortgage shoppers seek consumer information through his firm’s website.

Of course, most home loan applicants now favor traditional fixed-rate mortgages. But Gumbinger says buyers who expect to stay in the home they buy for a relatively short time might also consider a so-called “hybrid loan,” in which the interest rate stays firm for three to 10 years before adjusting to market levels.

-- Insist on an in-person meeting with at least one mortgage lender.

Gerri Detweiler, a consumer finance expert and author of “The Ultimate Credit Handbook,” encourages first-time buyers to seek a lender who will instruct them on the intricacies of home loans.

“A reputable mortgage lender should spend at least 30 to 60 minutes with you on the fundamentals and should help you to begin fixing flaws on your credit reports,” Detweiler says.

How do you find a sympathetic lender?

Gumbinger says real estate agents are usually a good source for names. But he says you should look beyond their suggestions.

“Besides that co-worker from your office, ask friends and family who’ve bought homes lately,” he says.

-- Prepare in advance for in-person meetings.

To streamline the process, there’s no substitute for gathering key documents in advance of your meeting. Ideally, these should include recent pay stubs, your latest W-2s and a couple of years’ worth of federal tax returns, as well as bank and savings account statements.

“It makes sense to find these documents up front because you’ll need to provide them eventually anyway. Also, they’re necessary to help your lender set the upper limit on how much you can afford, a process known as pre-approval,” Gumbinger says.

By providing these documents early, your lender can quickly calculate your top borrowing limit and also assess your eligibility for various lending programs.

“Once you’ve found a house and are ready to apply for a loan, having had this tutorial will clarify your situation,” Gumbinger says.

What if the lender you contact resists your request for a tutorial? If so, he says you should move on to another lender.

“You deserve to have your questions answered -- and in human language, not mortgage industry jargon,” he says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

A couple of retired U.S. Foreign Service officers recently turned 80. But until this month, they’d given little thought to selling the two-story colonial they own in a Washington, D.C., suburb. Indeed, as active seniors who still bike and canoe, they imagined living there to the end of their lives. But that was before the wife tripped and fell during a neighborhood walk.

“It wasn’t the worst-case scenario; my brain and body are still intact. But the fall was a big wake-up call. There’s no hurry, but the writing is on the wall. We know eventually we must move to a one-level condo or assisted-living place,” the wife says.

What’s confounding the couple now is they don’t know how urgently to move forward with their home sale, due to the rapidly changing real estate market. Higher mortgage rates have sidelined many would-be buyers. Meanwhile, fears of falling prices abound.

Joan McLellan Tayler, a longtime realty firm owner, doesn’t know the couple in this true story. But she advises those in similar circumstances to thoroughly investigate their local market before crafting their selling plans.

“When timing your sale and establishing your asking price, your best guidance always comes from full-time agents who have a depth of experience in your local area,” says Tayler, the author of several real estate books.

Here are a few pointers for those weighing a home sale:

-- Get real on pricing, but don’t freak out.

Obviously, selling a suburban house was much easier during the pandemic. Smart sellers acknowledge that and adapt, says Koby Sway, a Nebraska real estate broker.

“Sellers can no longer put a for-sale sign outside their home and expect the offers to pour in. They have to roll up their sleeves and make necessary repairs and home improvements before listing their home for sale,” Sway says.

Even so, in most areas, sellers need not worry about steep drops in home values, given that underlying housing demand remains strong among young adults in their 20s and 30s. Also, the overall shortage of inventory is a point in sellers’ favor.

Market trends vary widely from neighborhood to neighborhood. But, on a national level, price growth has slowed but not come to a full stop, says Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com, the home listing company.

Given the market dynamics, there’s no point in postponing your selling plans.

“If your selling plans are solid, it’s usually a mistake to try to play the timing game,” she says.

-- Seek a seasoned listing agent.

Tayler says too many people take a casual approach to picking an agent, noting that some make the mistake of hiring a relative, a friend or a young agent looking to get started.

Ideally, sellers should opt for an agent with experience in handling lots of different deals. Those with a track record, she adds, are most apt to identify problems before they happen.

If, for personal reasons, you’re determined to choose a newcomer, she suggests you ask that agent to share the listing with an established pro from the same office.

“With two agents on your side, you’ll benefit from both their strengths,” Tayler says.

-- Ask for financial details on prospective buyers.

Due to affordability concerns, many home buyers continue to rely on government-backed low-down-payment financing.

But to prevent a repeat of the mortgage crisis of more than a decade ago, lenders and their government regulators continue to hold would-be purchasers to stringent standards.

“Since the last big recession, we’ve never returned to the era of super-easy money,” says Eric Tyson, co-author of “Mortgages for Dummies.”

Wise sellers are careful to check the financial standing of would-be purchasers before ratifying any offer.

Before accepting an offer, sellers should insist on seeing a genuine “pre-approval” letter from a known lender. This should show that the prospective buyers have had their credit checked, their employment confirmed and their assets verified.

In addition, prospects can be asked to supply other details about their creditworthiness, such as their credit scores. The most common of these, known as FICO scores, range from 300 to 850.

“To be safe, look for buyers with a FICO score of at least around 700 or better,” Tyson says.

-- Anticipate issues that could arise in the home inspection phase.

These days, a majority of buyers exercise their right to a home inspection. And, if they can get away with it, many use the process to better their deal.

“Some buyers view their inspector’s report as a chance for a second round of negotiations. They see problems cited on the inspection report as an opportunity to cut their price for the property,” Tyson says.

During the pandemic, many buyers voluntarily waived their right to an inspection to make their offer more competitive. But it’s always unwise for sellers to try to talk buyers out of their own home inspection. In fact, smart sellers may wish to pay for their own inspection even before the property goes on the market.

“The sellers’ inspector probably won’t detect the same small problems that the buyers’ inspector will. But both should identify really serious issues,” Tyson says.

“If your house is more than 10 or 15 years old, you need to be particularly careful to identify hidden problems,” he adds.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)