Ask a Realtor: Is Winter a Bad Time to Sell a Home?

Q:  I am thinking about selling my house.  However I’ve heard that Spring is the best time – is that true?  Should I wait until March/April?

A:  For a long time there has been a stigma that winter, especially December, is a bad month or time to list and sell a home in.  Maybe in certain northern states where snow plays a role, this may be true.  However, in case people have forgotten – we live in FLORIDA!  The #1 month that many people have job relocations is in December – so those relocating here are actively looking between November and January.  The rest of the would-be home sellers not in the know are waiting until March or April to list their homes, when there will be a bit more competition on the market.  These job relocation buyers are GREAT buyers – often many have cash and they do not play around when it comes to inspections and closing fast.  This is the kind of buyer you want for your home!

A year ago – December – I sold my own home in the Harbor Isle neighborhood for the full asking price of $549,000.  You would think that December might be slow but I had multiple offers, a great house to market, and a top Realtor (moi!) listing it using out of the box marketing techniques that no other agent has access to.  The result?  100% of asking price.  Done and done.

Supply & Demand 101: What happens when there is more supply?  Demand is less, and drives prices down.  What happens when there is less supply?  Demand increases, prices go up.  So based on this theory – when do YOU think is the best time to sell your home?

The inventory of homes for sale right now is extremely LOW – which means this is a great time to sell.

Another reason to sell during the holidays?  Holiday cheer.  Yes, it’s true – houses show better with the decorations, lights, the gorgeous Christmas tree.  Buyers love the staging and this is a time when emotional purchasing is at it’s PEAK.

Sometimes home sellers are reluctant to list their home for sale during the holidays is due to the nature of the busy holiday season. Holiday parties, family functions, shopping and other gatherings can make it difficult to show your home whenever a buyer wants to see it. We understand that and will set showing time restrictions that work for you. Even if you sell your home during the holidays, we can sometimes negotiate extended occupancy terms (called a leaseback) that will allow you to remain in your home after it sells, not just through the holidays but perhaps into the New Year. This will take stress of having to move during the holidays off your plate.

Thinking about selling?  Stop thinking, and pick up the phone or shoot us a message.  Let’s chat.