I hear
it all the time. “I should have my house ready to list by spring when the grass
is green”. A myth that many home sellers
believe, is that is
you should wait until Spring to put your property on the market. In fact there
are many advantages to listing in the Winter. Selling your home in the Winter
attracts a different type of buyer. It also enables me to do some different
types of marketing. Here are my top 12
reasons why Winter is the time to sell. For even more reasons give me a call!
1. Many
people wait for spring which translates to more selection for the buyers. More inventory or homes for sale in the spring
means more competition – not good if you’re a Seller.
2. Buyers who take the time
to put on their winter boots, toques and mittens to go house hunting
are serious. They aren’t just nosy Nellies. They are motivated and ready to
make a move.
3. January is
the biggest month for company relocations. Is it because companies have
new budgets and business plans? No matter the reason, the relocating Buyer is
motivated and can make a quick decision. Often have time limits and incentives
from their employers.
4. If you’ve got a fireplace
and cozy living room or a boring backyard, your house
might actually look better in the winter. Furry blankets on the couch
make
buyers think of snuggling up with family which brings more emotion into their
decision.
5. New Year, New You. Many of
us (myself
included)
look at the arrival of January as a time of new beginnings. So in between
visits to the gym and eating healthy food, a new home purchase might be just
the thing to ring in a new year. January is also a time people think of
downsizing or upsizing.
6. If you’ve invested in
making your home energy efficient, winter is the perfect time to show that
energy efficiency off. Potential Buyers who live in drafty houses and cringe
when the gas bill arrives will undoubtedly welcome a high-efficiency furnace,
new windows and attic insulation. Homes feel
warmer and more inviting.
7.
Fewer properties on the market means it’s easier for the marketing for
your home to stand out. If you’re one of only a few houses on the market in
your neighbourhood, you’ll undoubtedly get more showings.
8. We always notice an increase in
traffic to our website in the cold months when people stay home more-shouldn’t
those Buyers be seeing your home?
9. Non-contingent buyer. If
you’re looking to buy, then you’d want to be able to sell now because by the
time Spring arrives you have the opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer.
Which means that if you find the home you love, you’ve already sold your
current home and you won’t have to make an offer conditional on sale. In
addition, because more homes are for sale during the Spring, this could drive
down market prices meaning you have the ability to sell high and buy low.
10. Curb appeal matters,
and turning on twinkly lights is so much easier than weeding your
garden every day! Of course you’ll need to shovel and use generous amounts
of snow melter, but
isn’t that better than mowing the lawn every few
days?
11. Fewer showings. I know,
that sounds counter-productive, but do you really want 100 people
traipsing through your house? I’d rather have 30 qualified and motivated
Buyers any
day.
12. Money, money,
money! The highest sold price to listing price ratios always happen in the
cold months.
If you’re
thinking about selling and want to find out what your home is worth or want to
discuss the pros and cons of listing your home in the winter, get in touch
with me. It’s never too early to start planning for
your sale!