It’s winter. I am in Nashville, TN, but I suspect it’s winter all over the country.
And winter is cold and sloppy. It is too sloppy for a house to look good. It is too sloppy for someone to get out and look at houses. It is WAY too sloppy for someone to want to move all their furniture and personal items right now.
Houses just don’t sell in the winter, right?
Well, not quite.
1. Winter Buyers Mean Business
It is right, in a way, that the weather is generally too nasty for sane people to want to look at and buy houses, much less move to one. But when somebody’s personal circumstances causes sanity to leave them, they are general on a serious mission to get the deed done. They often don’t fool around about the process. There are fewer of what the car business call tire-kickers.
In the summer, sometimes people are looking at houses in terms of wishful thinking. The are sometimes just getting ideas for their own houses. Sometimes they are at your open house just for something to do.
But in the winter, more of the lookers are, indeed buyers. They are often serious based on their job or their finances.
2. January Sometimes Brings Job Relocations
With the year-end comes a number of people relocating for a new job or job location. Consequently, they will need a place to live. They are more serious and motivated buyers. They may be in some kind of temporary hotel room until they find a home – which usually takes some time. They want to find a new house, and they may want to find it sooner than may be possible.
A family just moved in two doors from me in my neighborhood. After I had introduced myself, he told me his company had transferred him here from Kansas. His company wanted him here as soon as possible, and were willing to pay the price for any extra inconvenience.
He told me his wife had come down two weeks ago and looked at three or four houses before the decision was made. Sometimes in the summer, people look at houses by the dozens. If my house is for sale, I like those winter odds better.
3. Fewer Homes on the Market Mean Less Competition
It’s this simple. There are fewer homes for sale in the winter. Most sellers prep their homes and try to sell in the summer. In the summer, the market is almost saturated. Potential buyers may have 20 or 30 houses to choose from. Yet, in the winter months, they might have only a half dozen. The inventory of homes falls instantly in some places during the fall and winter. It simply increases your chances of selling.
You May Get Closer to Your Asking Price
Winter-time buyers are more serious and are more urgent, which also increases your chances of getting closer to your asking price, since there re fewer options out there. The market inventory is much less. Buyers can’t be as cavalier when making an offer. You’re also more likely to actually get any offer on your home. Sometimes, during the competitive summer months, you could go without a single offer.
You’ll Be Real Estate Agents’ Focus
In the summer months, a real estate agent might be quite busy. You don’t feel like your home is getting enough showings. This isn’t a problem in the winter. Winter is their slower season. They are sometimes just looking for homes to sell.
Let’s face it. An agent is in the business to make a living. This means they’ll want to sell your home in the winter. Come summer, they’ll be loaded down. Right now, you’re their top priority. You’ll get more attention. And it will definitely be showcased.
Tips for Selling Your Home in the Winter
Don’t Forget to Salt and/or Shovel any snow that blocks your entry. Someone coming to view your house doesn’t need to slip on the way in.
Make Your Home Warm and Welcoming – The outside may be cold and dreary in the winter. The best way to show off your home is by making it cozy, and warm.
If you have a fireplace, start a fire. Throw blankets or pillows, on the couch will make your home a welcoming sight when coming in from the cold outdoors.
Natural Lighting – Try to schedule showings earlier in the day, since the sunlight fade early in the winter. Be sure your windows are clean, your drapes and shades open. Turn on all lamps and other lights, if you can.
Fresh scents or light holidays scents. Also you might make your home smell like freshly baked cookies! This can raise your score with some people.
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Photo by Stéphane Juban on Unsplash