Tips for Selling Your Home in the Winter
Posted on Dec 1, 2015 8:05am PST
Even if you live in a place like Buffalo, New York where the snow could cover the ground for nearly half the year, it's still possible to sell your house when it's blanketed in snow, and fetch a price as good as you'd expect in the summer.
It's common for houses to sell for more money during the winter than the summer. That's because of supply and demand. We advise sellers to be flexible because it's hard to predict how long it'll take to sell a home and showings can be limited due to the weather.
The people who put their homes on the market during the winter are usually serious about selling, and buyers are serious as well. January is a notoriously busy month for corporate relocations and buyers without school-age children aren't motivated to wait until summer to buy a home.
Realtors start getting calls in January, and they usually advise sellers not to wait until spring to list.
Staging a Home for Sale in the Winter
Staging a home for sale is important no matter what time of the year it is, and the tactics are different in the winter, especially when green grass or flower beds are absent due to the chilly weather. Naturally, sellers have to change gears because snow changes things.
Tips for selling your home in the winter:
- Shovel snow off the sidewalk and driveway
- Create a cozy feeling in your home
- Utilize tasteful holiday décor
- During the day, bring in the light
- Clean out the gutters, and show that you're meticulous about maintenance
When inventory has been low, the winter real estate market has a way of being especially strong. Often, homes that are put on the market during the winter sell quickly, and sometimes above asking price with numerous offers because there is a high demand.
For more selling tips, contact a real estate lawyer near you!