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Selling Your Home
Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Why You Should Consider Selling Your House in the Winter

selling in the winter attracts home buyers
Selling in the winter attracts home buyers

The season you sell your home can impact how much you get for your home and how quickly it sells. In the southern United States, spring home listings typically have the most success in selling quickly and commanding top dollar. This is a good time of year to gain interest from families moving to new school districts. Plus, the season has more convenient weather for moving. 

Because of this trend, some real estate professionals or people you know recommend waiting to list your home until after the colder months if you’re not in a rush to sell. However, avoiding the Winter is a huge misconception in the housing industry. Waiting can cause homeowners to miss out on opportunities.

If selling a house in winter is an idea that won’t leave your mind, keep reading for a few reasons that will convince you that it’s quite reasonable.

Benefits Of Selling In The Winter

A two-story house covered in snow, surrounded by snow-laden trees, presents a cozy winter charm. The brick section and large windows enhance its appeal. Ideal for those selling their home in the winter, the graphic with a hexagon and "ez" sits on the right, promising ease in every season.

Don’t overlook the winter weather when selling your house! The year’s colder months may offer peculiar advantages that’ll put you ahead in your market. Let’s dig in deep snow for the advantages of selling a house in the Winter:

There Can Be More Serious Buyers In Winter

Keeping your house on the market in the Winter might bring the ideal buyer to your front door. Studies have shown that winter buyers buy because they need to move immediately, either for a relocation or a personal situation. They will want to close quickly, allowing for a much smoother sale.

Limited Inventory Offers Significant Advantage

Sure, many Southern real estate markets will have fewer listings during the winter months. Most people assume Winter is the wrong time to sell because of the reduced inventory. 

Let’s flip that script. Prospective buyers are always looking, no matter the time of year. Consider what fewer homes on the market do for your home: your home gets more attention and less competition. 

There Is Less Competition

Consider what fewer homes on the market do for your home: your home gets more attention and less competition. Keeping your house on the market in the Winter might bring the right buyer to your door. 

In addition, fewer homes experience bidding wars in the cold season, which means a higher chance of selling your house at market value or above. This is more likely to happen in less competitive markets. In that sense, make sure you properly price your home to sell.

Your Agent Will Give You Their Best

Real estate agents tend to be less busy during these months, so they will commit more time to selling your home. Once you find the right real estate professional for the job, expect them to be more focused and motivated during this time rather than in warmer months of Spring or Summer.

Your agent will have more time to market your home to buyers, help set an appealing home stage, and coordinate the showings. 

A Cozy, Attractive Home Staging 

There’s only one chance to create a lasting first impression, and in the Winter, you can stage your house for a cozy first date with its potential owner. Pay attention to the proper illumination, a fireplace’s welcoming ambiance, and anything that highlights your home’s features. 

That may work if you manage the home staging process with your agent’s help. However, selling your home in Winter is already a tough endeavor, and you want to take as few risks as possible. Consider hiring a professional home stager in your area. There will be additional costs, but it’s worth it.

Leverage the Curb Appeal

There are diverse opinions on what the exterior of homes for sale in Winter should look like. Some Internet sources indicate home sellers should take advantage of the snow-filled “winter wonderland” vibe while enhancing their property’s curb appeal. 

On the other hand, other sources, agents, and real estate specialists defend the importance of having an inviting exterior with winter-appropriate decor that is clear enough so potential buyers can see the actual condition of the house grounds. 

Take into account that removing the snow involves an extra effort or cost and can be disappointing if it is not managed correctly. 

Whatever you choose to do, make sure your home’s exterior is cared for, scenic, and magical. 

Tax Benefits May Motivate Buyers Further

Listing your home near the end of the year can provide potential tax incentives for homebuyers, encouraging them to meet your asking price. This selling strategy can be effective in a fast-moving seller’s market with a lack of inventory inventory.

Winter Home Sales Aren’t As Slow As You Think

A "For Sale" sign with blank spaces is displayed in front of a snow-covered suburban house, perfect for selling your home in the winter. The wreath on the door adds charm, while a blue hexagonal pattern with an "ez" logo enhances the image's left side.

Furthermore, the idea of winter home sales slowing is outdated. New research shows that foot traffic in listings, website views, and sales activity are actually more robust during the fall and winter months. 

In some Southern current markets, like Florida and Georgia, January and February are prime selling months! Retirees and the soon-to-be-retired flock southward, searching for a warmer winter climate to spend their retirement years. January brings the relocation buyers and pushes up the prices in many markets.

Tips For Successful Winter Home Sales

A person uses a snow blower to clear a path in a snowy yard, perfect for selling your home in the winter. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting shadows on the pristine snow. A cozy house is visible on the left, with an "ez" logo subtly positioned on the right side of the image.

To make the most out of selling your home in the Winter, do what you can to maximize the home’s curb appeal. Sure, the spring flowers aren’t out, nor are the fiery fall leaves on the trees, but you can still play up your home’s features to gain top dollar.

Scrub The Windows

Clean your windows inside and out to maximize light from the winter sun. Clear, streak-free windows allow natural light to fill the home, making it feel brighter and more inviting during showings in the darker winter months. 

This simple task improves the overall appearance of your home and helps showcase any beautiful outdoor views, creating a more open and welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers.

Revamp Your Yard

A clean and well-maintained yard is a must during house viewings; it signals potential buyers that the property is cared for. Here are some tips to have a yard in optimal condition while selling a house in Winter:

  • Use a straw to cover muddy patches in your yard to hide them and prevent wandering home buyers from tracking them back into your home.
  • Clear the walkways to ensure safety and improve curb appeal. Paths should be free of snow and ice, and you can add a fresh layer of gravel or salt to prevent slipping. 
  • Consider pressure washing pathways and other yard areas to remove dirt and grime.
  • Clear away any yard debris, and store any decorations from other seasons.

Play Up The Home’s Unique Features

Keep an eye on your home’s key selling features and put those up front. Whether it’s original hardwood floors, the outdoor space, or beautiful forested views, every property has enchanting details that set it apart.

Highlighting these distinctive elements adds charm to the residence and appeals to buyers looking for something special that makes them inclined to your home for sale and not others. 

Showcasing these features through quality photos in the listing or the staging process creates an emotional connection and can be a significant advantage in a competitive market.

Add Plants and Greenery

Living interior plants and greenery are a touch of warmth any home decor during Winter. Once you’re ready to welcome buyers for a viewing, soften the atmosphere of you indoor spaces with the fresh touch of plants. Indoor plants improve air quality, add coziness, and visually contrast the cold outside.

Types of indoor plants you can consider are: Peace lily (Spathiphyllum), fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), snake plant (Sansevieria), philodendron, pothos (Epipremnum aureum), monstera deliciosa, and rubber plant (ficus elastica).

Keep Extravagant Decor to the Minimum

Tasteful, strategically placed Winter or Holiday decorations can be an asset to any home for sale. When selling a home in Winter, avoid going over the top with decorations. Keep accessories and other embellishments to the minimum and give priority to elegant ornaments. Remember: more is less, always. 

A Squeaky Clean Home

Keep the interior extra clean, as home buyers will pay more attention to it. Dust-free surfaces, spotless floors, and fresh-smelling spaces create a lasting impression. A tidy living space also helps buyers in winter months focus on its features rather than potential cleaning tasks, making it more appealing overall.

Lighting is Crucial

Light is a very important topic when selling a home at any time of the year, but in winter, the topic is particularly neuralgic. During the cold months of the year, there are fewer hours of natural light, so it’s a good idea to play up with daylight hours to squeeze showings within that time frame so the buyer. 

As far as indoor lighting is concerned, keep it warm and soft for that homely feel you want to achieve. 

Care for the Curb Appeal

We discussed the importance of a well-taken-care-of yard during Winter, but there’s more to the curb appeal. During Winter, it’s all about getting homebuyers excited about the home; consider a fresh coat of exterior paint, change the address numbers or the mailbox, trim shrubs and trees, replace or polish door hardware, upgrade the outdoor light fixtures, and more.

Turn On The Fireplace

Nothing says winter magic like a crackling fire in the fireplace. Try to take advantage of this classic feature to sell your home in the Winter. If the real estate agent schedules a home viewing, try to have the fireplace ready and functioning while they are at the property. If you (or the stager) have the time to create a space with a cozy feeling filled with fluffy pillows and throw blankets right by the fire, you’ll surely get extra points. 

Clean Up The Garage

While selling their houses during Winter, many sellers find it easy to use the home garage as storage while decluttering and organizing the home. 

This seems like the easiest way to proceed, but homebuyers will most likely request to take a look at the garage, and the least you want is to ruin all the hard work to invest in your staging by taking them to the “backstage” of your show. 

So go the extra mile. Instead of taking the easy step and filling the garage with stuff, rent an off-site storage unit. It is not the easiest mode, particularly during Winter, but it’s the best way to proceed. 

Create An Environment With Nice Smells

Even before entering a home for sale, the smell anticipates what the home buyer may encounter inside. You decide if it will be a funky smell or a memorable scent. Whatever your pick, here are some valuable tips 

  1. Avoid using strong aroma products to mask odors.
  2. Ensure pleasant scents that enhance, rather than overpower, your home staging. Traditional winter smells or just a batch of cookies fresh from the oven can do the trick beautifully.
  3. Avoid mixing conflicting smells from different areas of the house.
  4. Stick to subtle, consistent fragrances that create a fresh, welcoming, and warm ambiance.

Lean Into What Makes Winter Fun in Your Area

Think cozy if your home is in a colder climate, like the North Carolina mountains. Light that fireplace and some unscented candles. But for Florida condos, the vibe is tropical, even in February. Open the curtains wide on those beach views.

FAQs About Selling a House in Winter

Is it a good idea to sell your house in the Winter?

While many real estate experts consider the winter days inconvenient for home sellers, selling your house in the cold season can be a positive experience. With fewer homes on the housing market, you’ll face less competition, and buyers looking during this time are often more serious about purchasing. 

Furthermore, end-of-year tax incentives and lower interest rates can attract motivated buyers, increasing your chances of a successful sale.

What are some common mistakes when selling a house in the Winter?

Here are some of the most common mistakes seller make when selling their home during the winter season: 

  • Deficient snow removal
  • Use outdated photos that won’t retain the attention of buyers (summer or spring photos).
  • Not cleaning the windows correctly.
  • Not giving your prospective buyers your undivided attention.
  • Not properly preparing the home for showings (leaving the house cold or dull decor).
  • Hire just any agent to handle the real estate transaction.
  • Planning major updates to the home.
  • Incorrectly pricing your home for sale.
  • Not being flexible in scheduling visits amid events during the holiday season.

What is the slowest time of year for home sales?

Due to the low homebuying activity, January and February are universally considered the slowest months for sellers. 

This applies almost exclusively to real estate markets with snowy winters. For sellers living in states with year-round warm climates, winter months tend to be the best home-selling month. 

Are houses harder to sell in Winter?

A common misconception is that selling a house in Winter is harder than selling in other seasons. However, many Internet sources describe the process as not ideal because this time of year favors fewer offers, lower listing prices, and lower curb appeal. Sellers have also reported that showings in the cold weather are less convenient than at other times of the year. 

What’s an essential part of selling a home in Winter times that many sellers overlook?

Many sellers ignore the importance of a good, updated online listing when selling a home in winter. During the winter months, homebuyers spend most of their time online, and this is the first interaction they have with your property. 

Your listing should be descriptive, with High-Resolution photos and other tools like virtual 3D tours. Your goal is to motivate prospective homebuyers to contact your agent and request an in-person visit—partner with an agent connected to a listing platform. The site should have everything you need to put you ahead of the competition. 

Bottom Line

Don’t let Winter stop you from selling your home. Home buyers are always looking; Winter is the “go” time to find the right home in some markets. Or, the fewer homes listed make for a more competitive market, allowing your home to see more buyers. Listing in the Winter helps buyers in a hurry to move to consider your home. Who knows? With the right strategy and market conditions, you could sell for more money than you would have in the spring.

 Updated October 2024

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Preston Guyton

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