It often surprises clients when I tell them that fall and winter are excellent times to list and sell their homes.
From added curb appeal to reduced competition, there are several reasons for this:
1. An abundance of opportunities to boost curb appeal.
Thanksgiving.
Halloween.
Christmas.
Notice a trend here?
From now through to the end of the year — and let’s be honest, even into January and February! — there are lots of great excuses to beautifully decorate the exterior of your home.
There are lots of great excuses to beautifully decorate the exterior of your home.Click To TweetA few tasteful decorations out front can be a simple and fairly inexpensive way to boost curb appeal.
From pumpkins and ghouls to wreaths and lights, give potential buyers a reason to slow down and gawk.
2. Generally speaking, only serious buyers brave the elements to view properties.
Canadian winters can be…well, downright unpleasant, if I’m being honest.
If you have folks bundling up and traipsing through the snow and ice — especially young families with children! — odds are fair to good that they have some degree of interest in what you have for sale.
In the summer, it’s a totally different story.
Let me just say from experience that your nosy neighbors are looking for any reason in the summer to snoop on your home:
- To get out of the heat and into that crisp air conditioning?
- To head out back and catch a whiff the freshly cut grass?
- To snatch up one of the gourmet cookies I brought to the open house?
You get the idea.
When it's -17° C in the dead of winter, only serious buyers brave the elements to view properties.Click To TweetBut when it’s -17° C in the dead of winter (-44° C with windchill), those same neighbors tend to stay home.
3. Fewer properties on the market means less competition.
Homeowners often believe that spring is the best time to list and sell. While it is true that the annual spring market results in more homes listed and sold overall, there also ends up being a lot more competition.
The more homes on the market to choose from, the greater the advantage potential buyers have in negotiations.
- High(er) Supply = Low(er) Demand
With less inventory to choose from throughout fall and winter, your home is likely to fetch a higher final selling price. It might even sell faster in October or November than it would have in April or May.
Not ready to move until spring?
No problem.
Consider listing in January or February and requesting 60-90 days for closing.
(Yes, you can do that…)
4. Cold weather highlights features that may be overlooked in the summer.
Do you have an inviting six-person hot tub out back?
How about a gas fireplace in the den?
What about that extra insulation you paid to have sprayed in last year, trapping all that beautiful warmth indoors?
These are the types of features that can turn any typical house into a cozy family home. At the same time, these sorts of features are not likely to be top of mind for buyers in July and August.
Call me for a free opinion of value.
If you aren’t already working with a realtor, would you consider getting in touch with me?
I would be happy to come out this fall and give your home a free opinion of value.
You may also wish to check out this short article:
Questions? Just call or text me at 905-626-8826. I’d be happy to chat.
Brent is a sales representative with RE/MAX Niagara Realty Ltd., Brokerage. He’s the host of The Fort Erie Podcast and proud to call Fort Erie his home.