Should I Sell My Home During the Winter?

By Gwen Daubenmeyer

Gwen Daubenmeyer is the founder of our team. She brings an unwavering commitment to her clients and a get-it-done attitude. Gwen is unapologetically competitive. Marketing and negotiation are her Olympic events; if she could medal, she would. While winning is her “what,” her clients are her “why.”

Do you need to sell your home soon but are afraid no one will want to buy before spring?

Conventional real estate wisdom says that buyers are not looking to buy this time of year. After all, it’s cold, the roads are snowy, and people are catching up from the holiday spending, right? Except, not really.

The truth is that most people buy a home when they need to, not when they want to. You can still get a great price for your home during the early season; in fact, there are even a few key advantages. Here are three reasons to consider selling your home during an off-season.

#1 People are in a “change” mindset.
Just look at all the New Year’s resolutions. Changing diets, habits, and other life changes. Buying a house is often on that bucket list for people.

#2 Inventory is lower this time of year.
When you list your home, you want the least amount of competition possible so that you’re in a stronger negotiating position with buyers. Fortunately, December, January, and February are when homes for sale hit a year-long low. This means buyers don’t have as many homes to choose from and you’ll stand out.

#3 Buyers are highly motivated.
You don’t have to worry about window shoppers and unqualified buyers this time of year. If a buyer is interested in your home during the off-season, it means they’re a serious buyer and probably need to make a move soon.

This could be because they got a new job, they need to move tax reasons, or in semester break for the kids. Whatever their motivation is, you can be sure they’re serious about buying your home and following through with the deal.

If you want to sell in Q1 of this year, please call or email me for a free pre-listing consultation. It always pays off to plan ahead. I’ll go over everything you need to make sure you get the best deal possible. I look forward to hearing from you!