MONDAY MOMENTS WITH MICHELLE – Is Winter a Good Time to List Your Home?

Welcome to Episode 15!

 

So, you want to sell your home. Is Winter a good time to list?

 

There is no “best” season to list your home. Any time can be the right time when you are ready to sell. Using the services of an experienced REALTOR® ensures that your home will be properly priced for the current market.

 

Here Are Some Reasons Why to List Your Home in Winter

 

Less Competition

 

Historically, listing inventory decreases in the winter. This gives you an advantage as there is less competition! Less competition in your neighborhood, on your street and in your price range or product type means that not only will your home stand out, but there will be fewer options for potential buyers to choose from.

 

Interest Rate Cuts 

 

The recent Bank of Canada rate cuts have stimulated the economy by lowering borrowing costs. This makes mortgages more affordable and drives the housing market activity. The boost in affordability encourages buyers to enter the market sooner.

Rate cuts in Winter have the added effect of targeting a period when serious buyers are looking for value. Sellers who keep their homes on the market are better positioned to attract these buyers who are often committed to purchasing quickly.

 

Who's Buying in Winter, and Why?

 

Winter buyers are often less affected by seasonality and instead, act out of necessity. Winter buyers are often motivated by practical needs such as job relocations or life changes as opposed to Spring and Summer browsers. Winter listings may see a 15-20% higher offer-to-view ratio. Winter buyers are more focused and tend to convert showings into offers at higher rates than the Spring and Summer crowds.

 

Less Focus on Curb Appeal

 

A nice advantage of listing in the winter is that you can worry a bit less about exterior curb appeal; especially if there is snow on the ground. Shovel the driveway and de-ice the walkways but you can skip mowing the lawn, tending to flower beds and keeping your landscaping in picture perfect condition.

 

Highlighting Winter-Specific Features

 

Winter is an excellent time to showcase features that buyers find valuable in cold months like energy efficiency, insulation quality or a newly serviced heating system. Winter allows Sellers to emphasize features like well-insulated windows, energy efficient appliances and quality heating systems. Homes with efficient energy saving features can stand out. Create a warm, inviting atmosphere: add cozy furnishings, light candles and play soft music.

 

Reinforcing Buyer and Seller Leverage

 

Selling in Winter not only offers the benefits of a focused Buyer pool but also sets you up advantageously for the Spring season if you plan to buy another property. By selling in Winter, you can enter the Spring market as a cash-buyer with proceeds in hand giving you leverage over buyers who still need to sell. Early sales create financial flexibility providing funds to purchase or invest as soon as new listing emerge.

 

Realtor and Legal Expertise

 

A quieter Winter market often means realtors and legal professionals can offer a more personalized approach, dedicating more time to each client. During peak seasons, agents juggle multiple listings making it challenging to give each client individual attention. Winter listings allow agents to concentrate more intensively on fewer clients leading to better showings, targeted marketing and follow ups that keep serious buyers engaged. Also, with fewer clients, legal teams can more carefully manage unique needs such as accelerated closing processes, etc.

 

If you’re ready to list your home, Winter could be the perfect season to take the leap. Call me to discuss how you can maximize the Winter market’s potential for a successful sale!

 

Next week, I will talk about “Home Inspection”, Yay or Nay? Stay tuned!!

 

Feel free to reach out to me regarding this content or to suggest subjects you would like to learn about.

 

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Have a great week! Definitely call me if you want exceptional real estate service!