Spring is generally the most popular time of the year to sell a house, with an abundance of buyers looking to move into a new home before the school year begins. But if you decide to sell your home during the winter, experts say you could reap a reward in cold, hard cash.
Read on for the top reasons why you should consider selling when the temperatures begin to drop!
1. Low inventory = less competition
Since spring is the most popular home-selling season, the housing market is crowded with options at that time of year. But in the winter, there are fewer homes for sale, and minimal competition which can make winter an ideal time to sell your home.
2. You get to show your home’s winter-readiness
Selling in the winter also gives you the opportunity to show that a home is designed to handle the harsh elements. Plus, during winter months, homes with features like fireplaces and hot tubs can look more appealing to buyers.
3. New parents may be looking to upgrade
The baby boom in September may lead to more buyers later in the year. According to data from the Center for Health Statistics and the Social Security Administration, there are more birthdays in the month of September than any other time of the year. Therefore, there’s likely to be a crop of growing families looking to buy a larger house.
4. Winter brings out the serious buyers
Not everyone looking at houses intends to make a purchase. Some people are contemplating moving and may just want to see what’s on the market, plus the desire to own a home does not stop when the holidays come around. Buyers who were unable to find their dream homes during the busy spring and summer months are still searching!
5. Corporate relocation
You could also encounter buyers who are relocating for a job.
Relocation buyers are out there and typically have a limited amount of time to uproot their families and, as a result, don’t have the luxury of spending a lot of time looking at properties. The kids need to get settled into school and dealing with selling their old home can add another level of urgency and stress. So, it’s likely that once they find a home that meets their requirements, these buyers will be ready to sign on the dotted line.
Source: Realtor.com and Keeping Current Matters
