Why You Should Consider Selling in the Winter

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, typically spring home listings 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 winter is over 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.

Advantages of selling in the winter

Sure, many southern real estate markets will have fewer listings during the winter months. Most people assume, because of the reduced inventory, that winter is a bad time to sell. 

Let’s flip that script. Potential buyers are always looking, no matter the time of year. Consider what fewer homes on the market does 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. 

Studies have shown winter buyers are buying because they need to move right away, either for a relocation or a personal situation. They will want to close quickly and allow for a much smoother sale.

Real estate agents also tend to be less busy during these months and commit more time to getting your home sold.

Winter home sales aren’t as slow you think

On top of that, the idea of winter home sales slowing is outdated. New research shows that foot traffic in listings, website views, and sales activity is actually more robust during the fall and winter months. In some southern markets, like Florida and Georgia, January and February are prime time for selling! 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.

A few tips for winter home sales

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.

• Clean your windows inside and out to maximize light from the winter sun
• Use straw to cover any muddy patches in your yard, both to hide it and prevent wandering home buyers from tracking it back into your home.
• Keep the interior extra clean, as home buyers will pay more attention to it.
• Play up the home’s unique features, like original hardwood floors or beautiful forested views.
• Lean into what makes winter fun in your area. If your home is in a colder climate, like the North Carolina mountains, think cozy. 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.

Bottom Line

Don’t let winter stop you from selling your home. Home buyers are always looking, and in some markets, winter is the “go” time to find the right home. 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 2023