Is winter a good time to be selling your home? There is no doubt that the spring season is a great time to be selling and buying real estate. However, contrary to popular belief, there are several distinct advantages to putting your home on the market during wintertime. Here are several reasons why selling your home now may be advantageous to waiting until the spring.
Searching is All About the Internet
It used to be the winter season’s short days and bad weather inhibited prospective buyers from looking for property. In today’s market, the search dynamics for exploring prospective properties have changed dramatically. There is no doubt the Internet has taken over how buyers search for properties. Today’s future homeowners search for homes online while at work, on their smartphones, and at home after dark. Sellers who adapt to these new online searching habits have a significant advantage over their competition.
Less Competition
Historically, sellers wait for the arrival of spring to list their homes. The sun is shining, the rains have passed and flowers are in bloom showcasing a property in its best light. But, it’s all about supply and demand. A great reason to list your home now and not wait until the spring market is there is sure to be less competition. The fewer number of comparable homes for sale, the greater the probability buyers will look at your home. If there are less home for sale, there are less homes that a potential buyer can choose from, therefore increasing the demand for your home.
Serious Buyers Are Out There
Serious buyers are looking no matter what the season. You may have fewer showings but you’ll have more qualified buyers. Potential buyers will continue to look at homes no matter what time of year and will want to see a prospective property’s characteristics rain or shine. Serious buyers are always out there.
More Time to Get Top Dollar
Less competition increases the probability that an offer will be received and you will get the maximum amount of money for your home. With less competition, by marketing your home early you may very well secure a higher price. While buyers have a variety of homes to choose from during the spring market, the limited inventory during the winter market has motivated buyers choosing your home. And keep in mind that January is the biggest transfer month. More corporate moves happen during January than any other month of the year. Transferees who need to buy a house now simply cannot wait for the spring.
Quicker Transactions
Fewer transactions mean quicker transactions. Fewer transactions mean mortgage lenders, appraisers, and home inspectors have more time to process your deal leading to a quicker transaction and closing. Despite the best intentions, a real estate transaction can be very stressful. A quicker transaction is a less stressful transaction for all parties involved.