Reasons to Sell Your Home in the Winter
Written By: Mark H Stowers
Sleigh bells have been ringing and the stockings are hung by the chimney with care and it’s also a great time to sell a home. The winter season brings challenges but also opens up the home market for those willing to take that sleigh special winter home selling ride. Here are our reasons to sell your home in the winter!
Reasons to Sell Your Home in the Winter
Darrin Roberts, a listing agent with Jim Shaffer and Associates explained the benefits of selling a home in the winter.
“A lot of people are setting up New Year’s resolutions and are wanting to buy a new home in the new year. Home buyers are extremely motivated after Christmas. And it makes a good Christmas gift.”
In addition, winter weather filters out buyers who aren’t serious and don’t want to get out in the cold. It puts those “just looking” at home and keeps the motivated buyers and sellers on the market. And with January being a prime time for job relocations, finding a new home in the winter months and end of the year bring out motivated buyers as well.
Some homes have a warm, cozy feel in the winter and are more attractive to buyers. Holiday decorations, a blazing fireplace bring inspirations not seen in the summer months of house hunting. But keep those sidewalks and driveways clear of ice and snow to keep those motivated buyers on sure footing throughout the process.
Selling in winter can bring a higher price. Fewer homes are listed and those looking are usually in great need with not much time to work with. Competitively priced homes will be at the top of the list of winter home buyers. And with less home selling competition in the winter months.
“Generally, inventory is lower in the winter and less competition with other homes and there’s still an abundance of buyers willing to purchase in the winter,” he said. “We may have 20-30 homes for sell in the spring but only three or four in winter means that one will have more eyes on it. Buyers are less picky and more motivated. Your home will be seen more often.”
And getting the deal done in the winter can be quicker.
“Some are closing things in two to three weeks. The process moves quicker because everybody has a little more time to focus on fewer properties,” he said. “Title companies are a little less busy, lenders are a little less busy.”
He noted that it’s better to lock in interest rates and get the deal done as they have been rising the past few months.
“People spirits are up a little bit higher during the holiday season and generosity goes a long way when writing offers and contingencies. They are very respectful of the holiday season and occupancy needs are a little more lenient. And when it comes to price, sellers have the upper hand.”
If selling your home is on your Christmas list, get it listed and hopefully Santa will be by shortly with an offer or two – whether you’ve been naughty or nice.