Sell Your House During the Winter Sweet Spot

A lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to sell a house. And sure, buyer demand usually picks up at that time of year. But here’s the catch: so does your competition because a lot of people put their homes on the market at the same time.So, what’s the real advantage of selling your house before spring? It’ll stand out.Historically, the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the cooler months – and that means buyers have fewer options to choose from.You can see how that trend played out over the past few years in this data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Each time, the supply of homes for sale dipped during these cooler months. And then, after each winter lull, inventory started to climb as more sellers jumped into the market closer to spring (see graph below):Here’s why knowing how this trend works gives you an edge. While inventory is higher this year than it‘s been in the last few winters, if you work with an agent to list now, it’ll still be in this year’s sweet spot. So, while other sellers are taking their homes off the market, you can sell before the spring wave of new listings hits, and your house will have a better chance of standing out.Why wait until spring when you can get ahead of the curve now?Fewer Listings Also Means More Eyes on Your HomeAnother big perk of selling in the winter? The buyers who are looking right now are serious about making a move.During this season, the window-shopper crowd tends to stay busy with other things, like holiday celebrations, and avoids looking for homes when the weather’s cooler. So, the buyers out looking aren’t casually browsing—they’re motivated, whether it’s because of a job relocation, a lease ending, or some other time-sensitive reason. And those are the types of buyers you want to work with. Investopedia explains:“. . .  if your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy.”Bottom LineWith less competition and serious buyers on the hunt, you’ll be in a great position to sell your house this winter. Connect with a local agent to get the process started.

Investors Are Not Buying Up All the Homes

Some HighlightsThere’s a misconception Wall Street is buying all the homes on the market. But data proves that isn’t true.​Experts agree the share of homes bought by investors is declining – and most are smaller investors, like your neighbor who owns a second home, not Wall Street.No matter what you’ve heard, the majority of homes are still being purchased by everyday homebuyers like you – not big investors. Connect with an agent if you have questions.​

Make Your House the Top Thing on Every Buyer’s Wish List This Season

With the holidays right around the corner, homeowners planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait? Some may even consider taking their house off the market until next spring. But is that the best choice? Because at this time of year, your home can really stand out.Here's the thing: there are plenty of buyers out there who want to be in a new home by the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. As an article from Redfin says: “. . . there is typically less inventory in the housing market this time of year, allowing your home to easily stand out among the available inventory. And though there are technically fewer buyers overall, the homebuyers that are looking are far more serious about finding a home within a specific timeframe. . . selling your home during the holidays might be your best present this year.”Here are four key reasons you may not want to wait to sell your house.1. Serious Buyers Are Looking Right Now The holiday season doesn’t put a pause on the desire to own a home. Sure, some buyers might delay their search until next year, but others have a reason they need to move now. These buyers are highly motivated and ready to make a serious offer. As Investopedia says:“Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer. Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale.”2. You Have an Inventory EdgeWhile there are more homes coming to the market right now, overall, the number of houses available to buy is still low. So, what does that mean for you? If you work with a trusted agent to price your house right, it could still sell pretty quickly. That’s because today’s buyers are on the hunt for quality options – and your home may be exactly what they’re searching for.3. You Have Control Over Your Showings Selling during the holidays doesn’t mean constantly disrupting your schedule. You have the flexibility to set up showings at times that work best for you. This is especially helpful during a busy season, and many buyers are likely to be more flexible with their schedules since they often have extra time off around the holidays.Now, it’s always better to offer more flexible access to your house. But the reality is, you don’t have to stop the process entirely – especially when you have a great agent to help you navigate each step along the way.4. Holiday Décor Can Make Your House ShineFor many buyers, a tastefully decorated home can create a warm, inviting atmosphere. It’s easy for them to imagine holiday gatherings and cozy nights in a space that feels just right. Keep your choices simple to let your home’s charm shine through. An article on holiday home-selling advises:“If you’re selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they accent—not overpower—a room. Less is more.”Bottom LineThere are plenty of good reasons to put (or keep) your house on the market during the holidays. Reach out to a local real estate agent and see if this is your moving season.