Why Selling in the Winter Often Results in Higher Sale Prices

Many people believe that the best time to sell a home, here in New England, is during the Spring months. As a realtor, who has sold homes in every season, listing in Winter has its advantages including the following:

Less Competition - Real Estate sales depend upon supply and demand. Low supply and high demand means higher sale prices. Conversely, higher supply and lower demand means lower sale prices.

Are there fewer homes for sale in the Fall and Winter? Yes, because many sellers often want to hold off until the Spring. As a result, those who do list at this time of year, have far less competition, and buyers have fewer choices.

It's similar to the stock market. Most people buy when the market is peaking and pay premium prices. Then, when the market starts to decline, they pull out. Smart investors, however, do the opposite. They buy during the bear markets and sell when they see bull markets.

Fewer Window Shoppers - Buyers wiling to take the time to go out and look at homes, during these months, tend to be ready to buy. Compare that to the families, with no interest in buying, taking the Sunday drive and stopping at open houses to give them something to do.

Relocations occur 12 months a year. People get relocated all the time, and when it happens, they don't have lots of time when it comes to home buying. They usually have to buy very quickly.

Bottom line, homes that sell during the Winter months often command higher sale prices than those sold in the Spring. Want to get a high price for your home? List it when inventories are low, and competition is scarce.

Many homeowners are reluctant to list their homes in the Winter. There is often a perception that people won't buy in the Winter. I've personally sold more homes around the Christmas Holiday period, than during holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day.

And one of the reasons that Christmas time often has a surge in sales, is because homes show well during this period when many of them are nicely decorated. And lots of homeowners bake more during this time which also makes homes much more appealing on the inside.

Another reason for reluctance to sell in the Winter is convenience. It's not a lot of fun keeping snow and ice clear to allow buyers to view their homes. This however, may be a small price to pay when potential returns are higher than waiting until most of the competition arrives once the weather gets nice.