Here are six reasons you may want to sell your house in winter.
One of the most common questions I receive from homeowners is whether or not it’s a good idea to list their homes during the holiday season. The answer is yes—it may not seem like the most ideal time, but selling your home during the holiday season has many benefits:
1. Inventory is lower in the winter than in the spring. While inventory is already low here, it’s traditionally lower during the holidays, with fewer homes hitting the market in November than in January and fewer homes coming online in December than in January. Buyers don’t have an endless list of homes from which to choose, and with fewer options, sellers may be able to command a higher asking price for their properties.
2. Winter buyers are more serious. If your home is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at all, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy.
3. Snowbirds come flocking. We all know that the key months for snowbirds to flock to the Valley are October and November. If they haven’t purchased their own home, they’re likely ready to pull the trigger.
4. Year-end job transfers. Another good reason is timing. The end of the year is typically the time that people are notified that they’ll be moving for work.
5. New construction shortages. The labor and material shortages we’ve been experiencing are expected to continue into 2022. That slows down the rate of new construction in the Valley, and because of this, the biggest source of inventory for those looking to buy will be existing homes that become available.
6. End-of-year tax breaks. Reducing the property tax bill may not be the main reason buyers purchase a home, but it could be why serious buyers make a move during the holidays. That’s because buyers can deduct the mortgage interest, property taxes, and interest costs on a loan if a sale closes on or before December 31.
As a seller, you decide if and when people can tour your home. There are many pitfalls and landmines to avoid any time you list your home for sale during the holidays. If you plan to list during this time, it’s more important than ever that you hire a real estate professional to help you make the process as smooth as possible.
If you have any questions about selling your home or trading out for a new home, feel free to give me a call anytime. We appreciate you for your friendship, referrals, and for trusting us with your real estate needs. Take care!
