Selling your home in the fall and winter months

HousseI got a phone call from someone asking if she was crazy to be thinking about putting her home on the market this time of year. 

The short answer: NO!

The three main benefits to folks selling their home in the fall and winter are:

  • Less competition.  So many people remove their homes from the market that home inventory is at the lowest levels it will be all year.  This makes it more likely for your home to be noticed, and shown.
  • Serious buyers.  Although there aren't as many buyers moving around as there are in spring and summer, buyers that ARE out and about at this time of year are serious buyers. They mean business!
  • Festive homes look good. Homes that are tastefully decorated for the holidays look pretty and have extra appeal.  There won't be so many showings during the holidays that it would be bothersome.  But when there is a showing, you can bet it is one of those SERIOUS buyers!

If you decide to sell your home in the fall and winter months, be sure to take special care if it is vacant. 

I advise all of my sellers to consider keeping their homes on the market through the off season.  Although there are always exceptions, in general there is just really no reason not to. 

Janna SignJanna Rankin Scharf  provides a superior level of real estate services to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit Janna.ServingNorthIdaho.com to search for homes in the Coeur d'Alene MLS for anywhere in spectacular North Idaho.

No matter how grand or modest your real estate dreams may be, you can turn to me in confidence.  Give me a call today and let me know what I can do to be of service to you!

Janna Rankin Scharf AB, GRI, CSP, CNS, CLHMS  208.651.9700

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Star Posted by Janna Rankin Scharf on 09/02/2012 12:30 PM   Comments (43)   Miscellaneous Topic in the Home Selling Channel   house selling in fall  
Originally posted at: North Idaho Janna: "Am I crazy to be putting my house on the market in the fall?"
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43 Comments on "Am I crazy to be putting my house on the market in the fall?"

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

SEP
02
1,348,414 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Janna - Inventory is low for us so I think it makes great sense even without the sensible reasons you've given.
9:04pm • #24
758,507 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Janna, I had an out-of-town client coming in this weekend to see two houses that were listed earlier in the week. Guess what? Both homes were under contract in under 5 days. It looks like homes are still flying off the market if they are in good condition and priced right.
9:36pm • #25
127,487 Points 1 Featured Post

Good points, there are always good and bad points to everything.  With experience you learn the upsides (and down) of everything.  I would have never thought about the fall being full of holidays and that making homes more appealing - but you are right!
9:40pm • #26
1,096,155 Points 93 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Janna,

There is a season for every house to sell. With interest rates still at record lows, there will be buyers hunting around this Fall for just that right home...but only if its listed.

Rich
10:18pm • #27
579,645 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think Fall is an excellent time to market your home, depending on your area.  No harm in trying at least, as long as you've priced it right and staged it to sell.
10:28pm • #28
107,331 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Fall is the perfect time! Many buyers want to be in their new house for Christmas!
11:19pm • #29
SEP
03
158,970 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great post, Jenna,

Serious buyers are looking all year around.. No matter what season it is.

Have a great weekend.
5:13am • #30
648,614 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Last fall we set record numbers for us.  I'm with you though.  NO.  You are not crazy to be putting your house on the market in the fall.  

Congrats on the well deserved feature!  
7:21am • #31
1,123,556 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great post Janna. I reblogged this one.
7:57am • #32
483,720 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Fall is one of our busiest markets. It's a great time to list!
9:43am • #33
249,992 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Autumn is busy here, and we are seasonal.  People are off the beach, it's getting too cold for the golf course.  It's a great time to be looking at properties in Door County.
10:16am • #34
876,517 Points 10 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Janna, yes, it's a myth that homes do not sell in winter. For all the reasons you stated, it's a perfect time to sell the home in fall or winter. At least we do not come across tire-kickers.
11:22am • #35
650,191 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

In Arizona Fall is one of the best times to put a house on the market. The super hot weather is gone and the winter visitors are beginning to return.
11:28am • #36
476,356 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You are right - the Fall Season is a busy season in Central PA!
1:34pm • #37
338,026 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Unless there are children who need to be enrolled in school at the start of the year, it shouldn't make that much of a difference.
2:28pm • #38
965,056 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Janna:  Many sellers want to know it they are crazy for putting their homes up for sale in the Fall.  As you said... absolutely NOT.  There is always some period of time throughout the year when some group of buyers is thinking that it's just the right time to go looking for a home. 

In this case... in the Fall... it could easily be a family who has just become Empty Nesters... who just sent their teenager off to college, and not find that their home is just too big for them.  The buyer's uniforms may change, but their goals are the same.  For them, it's time to buy!
10:49pm • #39
SEP
04
346,621 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good morning Janna - There's a small bump in sales in the fall, and we don't know what next spring will bring, so I'm with you - get the house on the market before the winter!
3:48am • #40
126,207 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great answer - I always offer the same advice. Actually I think the homes show best in the Fall too.
4:06am • #41
132,983 Points 18 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Janna ~ I didn't see this post earlier, but you are sooooooo right. Markets are different and the folks looking during the Winter months are indeed serious. Excellent post.   :)
6:39am • #42
584,863 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Brilliant and so very true!
7:13am • #43

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Coeur d'Alene, ID

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