Selling Your House in the Winter

Often when people think of selling their home, the summer seems to be the ideal time. It is easier to keep the wet snow out, the floor clean, and do a major clean-up. But the truth remains that sometimes people need to sell their homes in the winter - regardless of whether it’s the most ideal time of the year or not.

Likewise, there are buyers who want or need to make that purchase before spring rolls around. If you’re thinking about selling your home in the winter, here’s what you need to know.

Fewer Homes to Compete Against

Because most people opt to sell their homes during the spring season, home inventory tends to be at its lowest during the winter. This is especially true during the holidays: most home sellers opt to put off selling their homes, if they have the option to, rather than trying to juggle holiday planning and home selling at the same time.

If you’re a home seller, low inventory means less competition for interested buyers. Instead of being able to look at five available homes in your neighborhood, buyers may have only one choice this time of year: yours.

Buyer Intent is High

Buyers are often more serious in their intent if they’re looking for a new home during the winter. Most winter buyers likely have life circumstances that require them to move now. Others have been trying to land a home for a while and want to get it done before the next pool of spring buyers comes around.

-During the holidays, many people are looking to close a deal quickly rather than linger over back-and-forth exchanges . This can work to your advantage as a seller - you’ll spend less time dealing with people who come to open houses on a whim, or who schedule out 20 home showings without any real interest.

Winter Can Give Your Neighborhood a Boost

According to the New York Post, about 60% of Americans surveyed report putting out holiday lights every winter. Others decorate with wreaths, outdoor decorations, and more. The winter season can help show your neighborhood in the best possible light and help drive home the sort of warm feelings people want to associate with a place they’ll potentially live: neighborly, homey, and inviting.

Less Listings equals More Agent Attention

During the busiest season of the year, agents often have to split their time between numerous clients. Even the best agents may need extra time to answer your pressing questions when the springtime rush hits. In winter, though, fewer people trying to sell their homes means faster responses and more one-on-one attention from your agent.

Winter Can Highlight Your Home’s Cold-Prep

Do you have an energy-efficient HVAC? What about newer, draft-proof windows? Winter is when buyers pay more attention to the nitty-gritty of utility bills and energy efficiency.

While winter may not always be the best time to sell a house for various reasons, thousands of people buy and sell homes every winter. If you need to sell your home in winter 2021, contact us today. We can help you map out a path to a successful sale.