Should You List Your Home Now or Wait Until Spring?

Real estate agents are often asked, "Is it okay to list my home during the winter or should I wait until spring?" Really, there is no right or wrong answer to this question.  It typically depends upon the individual needs of the homeowner.

It's easy to understand why some homeowners ignore the wintertime as an option to list their home for sale.  The weather is cold, fewer homes are on the market and people wind down to wait out the arrival of warmer weather. While there is no doubt that these are some unique considerations when selling a home this time of the year, there are also serious advantages to putting your home on the market during the winter months.

Selling a house in the winter is all about looking at things from a different perspective and seeing opportunity where many other sellers would see a road block. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at some of the most common complaints about selling a house in the winter, and why many of those common complaints don't hold up to closer scrutiny.

• It's Too Cold – While a nasty winter storm may grind things to a halt, the average winter day isn't nearly enough to discourage determined home buyers. Cold weather has its advantages. It's a lot easier to maintain your curb appeal when you don't have to worry about tending to the landscaping constantly--although you'll still want to keep your yard nice and clean.
• Nobody Is Buying – This is a very common claim about winter selling, but it tends to be vastly overstated. There will always be someone looking to buy and a quieter market makes it easier for your home to stand out. The first quarter of the year is also a very common time for job relocation and other life changes which isn't always the case once the calendar flips to spring.
• My Listing Will Languish – Nobody wants to see their listing start to collect dust and give buyers a reason to wonder why the home has been on the market for so long. Fortunately, winter buyers tend to be very motivated. Since so many sellers simply wait until spring, listing your home in the winter allows you to pitch those motivated buyers while you've got less competition.
• My Agent Said So – While some agents may suggest waiting until spring, listing during the less hectic winter months may actually allow your agent to put more focus on selling your home. The same can't always be said for the spring. A good agent will always find the time to make your home a priority, but it's simply easier to do so during the winter when the schedule is less demanding.
• Winter Kills Curb Appeal – Winter can be a drag on curb appeal if your home has lush landscaping during the warm weather months, but otherwise the lack of plant life simply means focusing on a different type of curb appeal. Be sure to touch up outdoor paint, make your home's entrance stand out, and keep those gutters clear of debris.

Our REALTORS® at Wright-Patt Realty are here to help you buy and sell homes in the communities of Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Centerville, Fairborn and many more. Contact Wright-Patt Realty for all of your Ohio real estate needs.