Five Essential Tips for Selling Your Home This Winter

Historically, winter is one of the slowest times of the year for real estate. But that doesn’t mean things come to a standstill. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, an average of 11,380 existing homes and 1,640 new homes are sold daily from December through February.

So, while homes might sell differently during the spring and summer, there is still an opportunity to sell your home during the winter months. It might just take a little extra planning.

Why Sell a Home In the Winter?

Yes, most people prefer to sell their homes during the summer because the weather is nicer and more buyers are looking. However, selling in the winter can have advantages of its own.

• Less Competition: Because there are few homes on the market, there are few sellers to compete with. This can make your listing more visible to active buyers.
• Serious Buyers: Most buyers don’t mind looking for homes when the weather is nice. However, when it’s cold and snowy, people looking to buy are doing so because they’re particularly motivated to find a home and make an offer. A good bargain might mean you can save on the costs of selling your house.
• Additional Curb Appeal: The holiday season can give you another way to showcase curb appeal. With well-planned holiday decorations, you can make your home stand out and help buyers feel more at home.

Tip 1. Display The Year-Round Beauty of Your Listing

When the weather is less than ideal, you must make your home irresistible. Your listing photos will be more important than ever. You need to showcase the interior and exterior beauty of your home. Unfortunately, this can be a little tricky in the winter when the lighting isn’t as great.

Don’t be afraid to use photos that might be from the previous summer. These can help show different rooms with optimal lighting and can also help show the curb appeal when the lawn is in peak condition and the flowers are in full bloom.

Tip 2. "Warm and Cozy" is Key

The weather might be chilly, but you can still make your home seem warm and cozy for buyers. When you have scheduled showings, make sure the temperature inside is ideal for everyone. Try and keep the thermostat set between 70 and 72 degrees. This is going to be ideal for a larger number of prospective buyers. If you have a fireplace, you can turn it on to add to the coziness feel.

However, making your home feel warm and cozy goes beyond just the temperature. Don’t be afraid to add an extra throw blanket and plush pillows to your couch. Additionally, the lighting inside your home needs to make people feel comfortable. If you have a darker room in the winter, turn the lights on and stage it to feel brighter.

Tip 3. Remember That Lending Will Still Be Tight This Winter

Even though the Federal Reserve has begun lowering interest rates, mortgage rates are not providing much relief. With interest rates still hovering around seven percent, many buyers are still cautious about how much they spend.

Even though buyers are mindful of their budgets, it’s important to make sure your listing price is competitive with the market in your area. Frequently, sellers assume that because they’re selling at a slower time of the year, they need to price their homes to sell. This actually isn’t the case.

Because many buyers in the winter have motivations for buying, such as job relocation, they’re not necessarily looking for a bargain. Work with your agent to understand the market value in your neighborhood and price it accordingly.

Tip 4. Take Advantage of The Holiday Season

While some might want to avoid buying or selling a home around the holidays, it can offer the perfect staging opportunity. By having well-thought-out Christmas decorations, you can help your potential buyers envision themselves enjoying the holidays and making the home their own.

However, it’s vital you remember that the holiday season eventually ends. If your home is still on the market after New Year's, make sure you’re taking down the holiday decorations. Not much will turn off prospective buyers more than seeing Santa inflatables in the front yard in February.

Tip 5. Keep The Sidewalk and Driveway Clean

If you live in an area of the country that experiences frequent winter snowstorms, you should be on top of snow removal. Once the snow has stopped, clear the sidewalks and driveway before ice has a chance to build up. Because you never know when a prospective buyer will want to have a showing, you’ll want to ensure they can get into your home safely.

Pros and Cons of Selling Your Home in the Winter

If you’re considering selling your home this winter, you should consider a few pros and cons first.

Pros

• Less Competition: Because fewer homes are on the market in the winter, there is less competition to grab a buyer's attention. This means your listing will stand out more to buyers.
• Real Estate Agents Have Time to Give: Because fewer homes are on the market, real estate agents aren’t nearly as busy. This means your agent will likely have more time to dedicate to helping you get your home sold.
• Buyers Are Motivated: Anyone looking to purchase a new home in the winter usually does so for a reason. Maybe they’re relocating for a job opportunity or because of family. Motivated buyers typically want to wrap up the process as quickly as possible.

Cons

• Weather Challenges: Selling your home in the winter presents extra challenges that aren’t common in the warm months. Snowstorms and shorter daylight hours can make showings a little more difficult. They can also delay inspections and the overall closing process.
• Potential for Less Curb Appeal: The spring and summer allow you to boost curb appeal with colorful plants and flowers and lush green grass. This can help your home stand out compared to others on the market. Unfortunately, that’s not the case during the winter.
• Lowball Offers: Many winter buyers are motivated. However, some buyers are just looking for a good deal. These buyers will be more likely to submit lowball offers, hoping to get a price below market value.

Is It Worth It to Sell Your Home During the Winter?

Even though winter is a less desirable time for many people to buy and sell a home, it can be a great opportunity. Not only are there fewer homes on the market, which can help put more attention on your home, but there are also many motivated buyers, which can help you receive a more competitive offer.