Did you know that lots of sellers take their homes off the market during late fall and then put it back on the market in the spring? Listing graphs of our area show dramatic dips in inventory from November to February every year. Why? Sellers think that their houses will show better in the spring, they don't want to be bothered with showings throughout the holidays, and they think there are more buyers looking in the spring. All good points, but not always true.

If you are serious about selling right now - consider leaving your house on the market through the winter and taking a sharp look at your pricing, marketing and exposure. Those three factors are key and must all be correct for the market conditions to ensure a successful sale. In my opinion, they are far more important than the season. Buyers that look in the winter tend to be more serious, and if you can stand the showings during the holidays, you will have far less competition! Let everyone else miss out on the winter buyers. Believe it or not, I have spent more than one New Year's Eve with clients showing and making offers on houses!

Also - if you take your property off the market in the hopes that the market will "rebound" in the spring - you should consider that even if the market comes back a bit, it could be far less than a full percentage point by this spring, and could result in very little, if any increase in your selling price between now and then. Given your expenses, is it worth the wait or is it better to sharpen your pencil and get the house sold? All things that are very important for sellers to consider right now!

Meredith Laws / Windermere Real Estate / Anacortes

instant e-mail meredith@windermere.com; voice/text to 360-770-1997, www.GoSeagull.com