Should You List Your Home in the Winter?
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By Janet Gummelt
Should a seller put their home on the market in the winter? YES, YES, and YES!!! Typically, spring and summer are the busiest times for home selling and buying. Many homeowner changes revolve around the school calendar. However, listing your home in the winter has many advantages.
The current market, especially in most areas in Texas, has a low inventory. There are buyers, but few sellers. It is definitely a seller’s market. Timing is dependent upon supply and demand. We are experiencing a period of a small supply and a huge demand. Listing in the winter assures there is less competition from other listings. Your home can be sold before the heavily listing period of spring and summer arrives.
If you decide this is the time for you to list your home, follow these strategies to get that home SOLD!
Price it to Sell
With the help of your Realtor, check the sold prices of comparable properties for the last 30 days. Compare the listing prices of current homes for sale and price your home at market value.
Make it Winter Weather Proof
Schedule a maintenance checkup for your HVAC system and make any necessary repairs. Clean the fireplace and repair any issues there. Make sure the roof is winter ready by replacing or securing any loose shingles. Add any missing or degraded weather stripping. Clean the gutters and make sure barren limbs are not hanging over your home.
Be sure and crank up the heat when your home is being shown. If you have a fireplace, display its beauty. A chilly home will call for a cold response from buyers.
Lighten it Up
Winter weather is often very dreary. Do not let your home radiate a gloomy appearance. Go for some curb appeal by checking a local nursery for colorful plants that can handle the colder winter temperatures. Clean the windows, trim the shrubs, rake the leaves and fix any chipped paint. Install outdoor landscape lighting if your home doesn’t have any.
Inside your home choose neutral walls with splashes of warm colors in seasonal wreaths, pillows, rugs, and throws. Add extra lamps to rooms to make sure they have adequate lighting. Go for a winter cozy atmosphere. Stacked wood and subtle spice scents will add to an overall homey feel. Buyers should be able to see themselves “wintering” in the home.
Regardless of the time of year, sellers should always de-clutter and depersonalize. Take out the family crests, large initials, and family photographs. It will be hard for buyers to see themselves in your home if all they can see is YOU in the home. Display pictures that show your home in the spring and summer. They should appreciate how beautiful the pool and backyard are in the summer.