It’s the week before Christmas and although we all know it won’t be the most convenient circumstance, there are very good reasons – employment changes or major life changes – and you’ve simply got to sell your home!

You figure it’ll be rough, because, over the holiday time, how many buyers in the marketplace can there be?

You’d be pleasantly surprised to discover the number is HIGH. 

While it certainly does put a little extra pressure on a home owner to put a house on the market for sale during the months of November through February, it isn’t as bad an idea as some would have you believe.  Negative Nellie’s will tell you that between the holidays and the weather, people would rather wait until spring.  Or at least March if they are trying to get a jump on the competition.

AHHHH…THE COMPETITION

That’s exactly what makes the winter and holiday season so attractive a time to put that house up for sale!  The buyer who is out house hunting at this time of the year usually has the same sort of serious, gotta get this thing done attitude that you do!

Buyers are out there and they have less than the usual minimal inventory to choose from.

That competition you might have been competing with decided they wouldn’t make the extra effort it can take to sell when the weather is so very cold and dreary. 

That lack of competition makes your home all the more appealing to the hardy buyer who has waited, saving up for their down payment, preparing for the closing costs and anxious to close and move in in time to enjoy the holiday in their new home. 

Which will leave you free to enjoy a relaxed holiday yourself.

Studies have been done that support selling right now, in the winter season, in the midst of the holiday season for good reason:

• On average, 17.5% of sellers net higher sale prices from December – March, even higher than during peak spring season
• Sellers who price right at market value are more likely to attract a full price offer within the first two weeks 48% of the time
• The first quarter of the year yields the largest percentage of company transfers, so corporate buyers are out there and they want to get settled fast.  That means serious offers with short closing time frames
• Buyers are determined to complete their purchase before projected home mortgage loan interest rate increases are instituted

• These stats are odd but true!  On average, homes sell in 7 days less time and usually for 1.2% more money than spring sales

• Looky loo’s, those darlings who just love traipsing through homes for sale just to see what they look like, tend to avoid winter!  That means your showings will likely be with serious buyers who are motivated to make decisions fairly quickly
• The décor of winter inspires feelings of coziness, nesting,  and a happy home.  All of these feelings can contribute to you enjoying a faster sale!

Worried about the snow, bare trees and lack of pretty flowers in the landscape being a detriment to selling? 

Here’s one great idea to overcome that;

print a few pictures of the house looking it’s best in spring, fall and summer landscapes. 

Replace those family pictures the best staging experts tell you to remove anyway and display the house in all it’s splendor in each season!  This allows potential buyers to really see what they have to look forward to when they purchase your house.

For sales strategies that work and to discover your market value contact your local RE/MAX Alliance agent today!