Persuade Owners to List in the Winter

Some home owners may be hesitant to list in the winter, believing the cold-weather season won’t attract many buyers or leave the best impression of their property. But while spring may be the peak home shopping season, owners may be able to snag more for their home in the winter.

  

The real estate brokerage Redfin found that on average, sellers net more above asking price during the months of December, January, February, and March than they do from June through November.

The winter season needs special pricing considerations since there tend to be fewer shoppers, and as such, it can be a bad time to test the market and list high. Also,

Winter buyers will be more attune to issues like heating – the cost and maintenance.

Home stagers say that the gray days ahead can leave a gloomy impression of the home too. They urge home sellers to still place a high importance on curb appeal such as with basic landscaping and cool-weather plants like holly to liven up the outdoor landscape.

Home sellers can also try to create a sense of warmth inside the home, such as with throw blankets in the living room and stacked wood by the fireplace.

Source: “Why It Pays to List Your Home in Winter,” TIME (Oct. 30, 2015)