If you’ve been tasked with deciding whether to go ahead and list your home for sale during the winter months or wait until spring rolls around, you may be wondering what the advantages are to one over the other. Spring is often hailed as the best time of the year to sell, with summer coming in second. 

Often, parents are scrambling to get into a home before the school year kicks off and with closings taking approximately 30-60 days, homes sold in June or July can still be ready for families to move in before classes start. Fall is the third most popular season to sell a home. However, with school back in session, families are more busy and may not have as much time to look for a home. Sellers will want to ensure that their home is in as good of shape as possible, to attract buyers that are looking for a home in move-in condition.

Winter is typically considered the slowest time of year to sell a house because of the cold temperatures and the ultra-busy holiday season. But that doesn’t mean that selling during the winter is impossible or even discouraged.

Why is Spring Considered the Best Time to Sell a House?

It’s important to keep in mind that homes sell year-round, so you don’t need to let the season determine your home-selling schedule. At the end of the day, consulting with your realtor and considering your financial situation are the best ways to determine when the right time to sell your house is. However, there are several reasons worth considering as to why spring is widely considered to be the best time to sell. 

The peak buying season according to the National Association of Realtors is from April through June, with an average number of existing homes sold per day at 16,500+ and the average number of new homes sold per day at 2,000. Median days on the market averaged out at 33.

Prices tend to rise in the spring and early summer and flatten throughout the rest of the year. The spring months see the following combination of factors that can help sellers maximize profits and benefit from as many potential offers as possible.

Timing Potential

Families want to get settled into their new homes before the school year kicks off. This often means buying a house in the spring and closing in the summer. After all, nobody wants their kiddo to be the student who has to show up to class midway through the fall semester as they move into a new home.

Comfortable Weather

In most parts of the country, the weather is becoming bearable (pleasant, even) and the days are longer in the spring. This gives homebuyers more time to go out and look for a home.

Market Activity

An influx of sellers and buyers is great for both sellers and buyers. Sellers generally benefit by having a wider selection of potential buyers, which can lead to multiple offers and higher prices.

Maximized Exposure

This goes hand in hand with increased market activity, leading to more exposure for your home. A wide array of people with different home preferences and various timelines creates increased competition and perhaps even a bidding war — which may just drive up the selling price.

Preparation Time

If you opt to wait until spring to sell your home, you have several months to complete any repairs, small renovations, and time to stage your home perfectly for maximum appeal. Also, keep in mind that repairs and renovations can be easier to manage without the constraints of the sometimes difficult-to-predict winter weather.

Better Curb Appeal

It’s no secret that a home looks extra homey when flowers are blooming and lawns are green and full. With the sun shining and the weather warming back up in March and April, spring can make house hunting extra welcoming and fun. Adorn your porch with blooming flowers and ensure your lawn is in tip-top shape to create an image in a potential buyer’s head about what their life could look like this time next spring.

When Should You Sell Your Home Now?

Depending on your personal timeline, you may be unable to wait until the spring to list your home. If you need to sell quickly, then winter may be your best option. If you have a bit of leeway to play with, then weigh out the pros and cons of selling in the spring vs selling in the winter to determine which route is best for you.

There are a handful of advantages when it comes to selling your home during the winter months. In fact, there’s almost guaranteed to be less competition than there is in the spring and summer — so properties listed during the winter have the chance to stand out more to serious buyers. You may also find that buyers searching for a home during the frigid winter months are more motivated, because they may have pressing needs such as needing to relocate or facing an expiring lease. These buyers may be willing to commit quickly and without much negotiation.

The National Association of Realtors notes that while the winter months (December through February) have the lowest activity, the numbers are still nothing to sneeze at! In fact, the average number of existing homes sold per day is over 11,000! The median days on the market do increase to 49 days, and while there may be additional challenges to getting a house sold during the cold months, sellers may find that they can benefit from less competition.

Other benefits of selling during the winter include possible faster transactions due to lenders, inspectors, and agents becoming less busy and being able to provide quicker processing times for eager buyers and sellers.

Tips for Selling a Home During the Winter Months

Selling a home during the winter can be a highly effective strategy. To maximize your success with a winter sale, keep these top tips in mind to attract motivated buyers and maximize your profits.

Focus on Curb Appeal

Adding seasonal touches, such as tasteful lighting and evergreen plants can curate a welcoming, cozy vibe for buyers and allow them to picture themselves in the home when the holidays roll around next year. Don’t underestimate the power of crafting a scene for the buyer! Stage for the season with comfy rugs, pillows, and warm decor but make sure to avoid overly festive holiday decor, as it may result in buyer polarization.

Remove Snow and Ice

For the safety of buyers, sellers, and real estate agents — snow removal is integral when trying to sell a home during the winter. Clear any and all walkways so that visitors can use them safely. Keep some rock salt or sand on hand to ensure everyone keeps their feet underneath them.

Highlight Winter Features

If you live in a cold climate such as Michigan’s, then highlighting winter-friendly touches like energy-efficient windows, a heated garage, or additional insulation, can all be pluses for interested buyers. Make sure to also showcase any other amenities, such as fire pits or hot tubs, as they can appeal to winter buyers even more so than they do during the spring and summer months.

Use Exterior Lights

Winter days get dark early, which can cause endless frustration for people looking to tour a home after work and being unable to see details and key features. As a seller, make sure to brighten the exterior with outdoor lighting which can create not only a more inviting atmosphere but allow the buyer to visualize themselves walking into what could potentially be their new home sweet home.

Post High-Quality Photos 

High quality photos are never a bad idea but they’re especially important during the winter. It can take a lot to motivate a buyer to find the time to tour a home when there’s snow on the ground and the temperatures are sub-freezing. Help give them a nudge by using professional photos to showcase the home in the best possible light.

Seek Out Motivated Buyers

When selling a home, a motivated buyer is always a great transactional partner! During the winter, motivated buyers are often the ones with immediate needs to fill — such as needing to relocate now or wanting to take advantage of year-end tax benefits. Compared to buyers who are just casually shopping during the winter, buyers with an immediate need are much more likely to close a deal without too much negotiating.

Partner with the Right Agent

Partnering with a professional real estate agent is important in all seasons, and can add much-needed value during the winter when the market is facing a slowdown. An experienced agent will offer insights into the local market and can help sellers use the winter season to their advantage.

Closing Thoughts on Selling Now vs. Waiting for the Spring

Making the decision whether to sell your home now or waiting until the peak buying months roll around will ultimately depend on your unique circumstances and life factors, as well as the dynamics of your local market. Speak to a professional real estate agent at Reinhart Realtors to discuss the pros and cons in depth and to determine the best strategy for you.