Thinking of selling your home later this year? Why wait? Even though there are less homes on the market, buyers are out there buying at a steady pace. That’s great news for you winter sellers!
If you’re ready to sell your house, you don’t have to wait. Selling in the winter doesn’t have to spell disaster. You may be surprised that there are actually advantages to selling your home in the winter! Here are some of our favorites.
#1 The Internet Doesn’t Care About Seasons
Traditional home buying and selling seasons have evolved as a result of instant internet access to property listings. While spring is still the hottest home-buying season, serious home buyers are always on the lookout, checking out the latest listings on their tablet before bed or while waiting for their kid’s basketball game to end. Today’s buyers do most of their home searches online, and that’s especially true when the weather outside is not so great.
#2 Competition. What Competition?
Come spring, sellers will flood the market and your home will be just another fish in a great big pond. But right now, you’ve practically got the market to yourself.
Since 2014, existing home inventory has fallen an average of 15% from November to December. That’s 15% less competition on the market if you list your home during the winter! Buyers have fewer homes to choose from, and that means you could sell your house faster!
#3 Winter Brings Out Serious Buyers
Most of us want to curl up under a blanket next to a warm fire on a cold winter day. So, if a buyer is out trudging around in freezing weather to look at your home, they must be serious. That’s because many winter buyers are working against a deadline, whether it’s an expiring lease, relocation, or a contract on their current home.
#4 Tax Breaks
Winter home buyers may also be motivated by the tax benefits of buying a new home before year-end.
Home buyers can write off some of the expenses of their home purchase on their taxes. There are usually multiple tax benefits of owning a home they can take advantage of, too. Typically, a homeowner can count on the following being tax-deductible:
- Mortgage interest
- Private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums
- Real estate taxes
#5 New Parents Looking To Upgrade
The baby boom in September may lead to more buyers later in the year. According to data from the Center for Health Statistics and the Social Security Administration, there are more birthdays in the month of September than any other time of the year. Therefore, there’s likely to be a crop of growing families looking to buy a larger house.
3 Tips to Setting the Buying Mood
Nothing says welcome home quite like walking out of the cold into a nice, warm house.
It’s easier to make a house feel like home in the wintertime. Here are a few tips to help you set the buying mood.
- Keep it simple. Decor should accent—not overpower—a room. Less is more.
- Crank up the cozy. Light a fire in the hearth, play soft music in the background, and prepare fresh-baked goods or mulled cider for guests.
- Shine a light outside. Winter days get dark early. Brighten your home’s exterior with outdoor spotlights.
Remember … the nicer your home presents itself, the more likely it is to sell—and for more money!