Selling Your Home During the Winter

The Internet Has No 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 football game to end.

Today’s buyers do the bulk of their home searches online and that’s especially true when the weather outside is not so cheerful. This means your online listing and photos are especially important. Make sure you use high-quality photos that show off your home’s selling points. Photos of the exterior in all seasons can help, as can including a video tour and night shots of the exterior with all the lights on.

Competition Dries Up

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, which means you could sell your house faster.    

Buyers Mean Business

Most folks want to curl up under a blanket next to a warm fire on a cold winter day. If a buyer is 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.

Time Off 

You may think people are less likely to see your home in the midst of their hectic holiday schedules. That can definitely be true, but keep in mind most people have more time off around the holidays. That means more time for browsing their favorite home apps, dreaming about their future decor, and even scheduling home showings.

3 Tips to Setting the Buying Mood

Nothing says welcome home quite like walking out of the cold into a nice, warm house that’s dressed up for the holidays. Admit it: Your home looks goo-ood this time of year!

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. Decorations should accent—not overpower—a room. Less is more. You don’t want your Christmas tree to take up half the living room.

• Crank up the cozy. Light a fire in the hearth, play soft holiday 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. A few holiday lights are okay. Just save the Clark Griswold light show for next year.

Remember . . . the nicer your home presents itself, the more likely it is to sell—and for more money. 

See Original Article at : https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/selling-your-home-in-winter