Should I List My House in The Fall or Winter? 5 Reasons to Sell Now!

By
Real Estate Agent with Reece & Nichols

Should I list my house in the

Fall or Winter?

5 Reasons to sell your house now!

 

 

Many sellers ask me this question at this time of the year. Should I put my house on the market in the fall or winter or should I wait until the Spring?

My answer to them is; it depends. If you are serious sellers and do need to sell your house as soon as possible this time of the year is great. However if you don’t need to sell and are just testing the waters you should wait for the Spring.

The number of sales are not as high in this time of the year as it is the Spring and Summer, however the Fall and Winter have their own advantages. Here are 5 reasons to sell your home now.

1. Greater Number of Serious Buyers out looking
At this time of the year only serious home buyers are out there previewing houses. Only people that really need to buy now, are willing to hassle through the bad weather or miss the time to do holiday shopping or to spend with family to see some houses. You will not be bothered and inconvenient for showings of buyers that just want to look

2. There are Less Competition
The number of houses on the market decrease a lot at this time of the year. That is a great advantage for your home since you will not have to compete with the beauty of the block. Buyers will have less options and your house has a higher probability to make it to their top 3 choices. You may even get multiple offers and get a higher return.  Don't wait until the Spring when all the other potential sellers put their homes up for sale and the home price and beauty contest is on.

3. Your Closing Process will be Faster
Dues to the record low interest rates, banks have been inundated with home purchases and refinancing paperwork, sometimes it can take days for banks to send an appraiser out there to appraise the house, which can cause delays on the closing. Since the volume of sales is lower, you will be able to close your house and receive your sales proceeds on time and quicker, avoiding all the frustrations of the delays.

4. There will Never be a Better Opportunity to Move-Up
Mortgage rates again fell record low levels just last week. Freddie Mac's weekly survey showed the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.40% and the fixed-rate 15-year mortgage also hit a record low of 2.73%. These low interest rate numbers reflect on lower mortgage monthly payment which make it easier to afford more house for your money. There is no guarantee that rates will not go higher. If you are thinking to buy a larger house or more expensive one consider doing it now, don't miss this incredible opportunity!

5. It’s Time to Move on with your Life
Analyse the reasons why you want to sell your house and decide whether is worth waiting. Do you want to move on with your life and live the life that you are comfortable with or do you want to wait knowing that it may take longer for a buyer to decide to buy your home, since your house is subject to the housing market competition, price and interest rates.

Now is the the time for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important. You have the power to control this situation by pricing your house to sell and preparing your home to show by taking advantage of the fall and winter season; using holidays decor, lighting the fireplace to make a cozy and homey place for a potential home buyer pick your house.

Contact me, Ana Spradling your Realtor with Real Results. In this Fall and Winter season I will provide you with all the tools to get your home SOLD

Posted by

 

 Ana Spradling Your Realtor with Real Results


List Your Home with Me!

  • Using my MBA in marketing and my extensive internet marketing training, I aggressively market your home.
  • I use several different marketing strategies to gain maximum exposure for your home, including mega-listing sites, social media, traditional marketing techniques, and marketing your home to numerous local Realtors. 
  • I understand the local Kansas City Metropolitan area real estate market, and I am specialized in the Johnson County housing market. I will help you understand buyers' expectations, as well as a realistic price for your home.
  • It is my ultimate goal to sell your home at the highest rate of return for you in the least amount of time.
  • Ask me about listing your home for sale, and about my marketing plan to get your home SOLD!


Find Help Buying a home in Johnson County-Overland Park KS, Leawood KS, Olathe KS & Kansas City surrounding area!

  • With me as your buyer's agent, you will receive free professional real estate services.
  • I will help you understand each step of the home buying process.
  • As a member of the Kansas City Regional Association Realtors and Heartland MLS, I can show you any home for sale listed by a real estate company at a time that is best for you.
  • I take the time to understand your needs and to preview potential homes.  I won't waste your time by showing you houses that don't meet your criteria.
  • Ask me about help with buying your new home in Overland Park KS, Leawood KS, Olathe KS & Kansas City surrounding area!

 

Visit my real estate website and find home buying tips and home selling tips, view all current homes for sale in Overland Park KS, Leawood KS, Olathe KS & Kansas City surrounding area!, ask me about assistance with buying a home or selling your home, and more!


 

How much is your house worth?                        New Listing Alert

FacebookTwitterYoutubeGoogleLinkedInTruliaZillow

 

Comments (31)

Erika Naegelin
LoansByErika - San Antonio, TX
Great points, I would love to share these with my fall buyers!
Oct 01, 2012 09:20 PM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Ana.. great post.. and i did reblog it this morning to share with my clients.. Thanks for the list.

Oct 01, 2012 09:54 PM
Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

If you have a home suitable for a family and the schools are excellent it is wise to put the home on the market in the late Spring...A lot of families like their kids to not have to switch school mid year...

Oct 01, 2012 10:05 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are excellent points.  I'd like to add one more point for sellers here in Sacramento.  We are experiencing a shortage of housing inventory, which is very different than a year ago.  We have buyers, looking for homes now.

Oct 01, 2012 10:06 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Ana, five very good reasons for selling a home this time of year. Welcome to ActiveRain and congratulations on the Featured Post!

Oct 01, 2012 10:33 PM
Larry O'Sullivan
Sandy, UT

Ana - good reminder at the appropriate time. We have influx of visitors, (including out of state relatives for the holidays),  for the snow sports. Produces increased workload if I am perceptive.

Oct 01, 2012 10:47 PM
Wayne Bennett
One Home Team Realty/Charlotte,NC 704-293-3931 - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate...As It Should Be

Ana...great information and post, congrats on the feature

Oct 01, 2012 11:55 PM
Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

Very well done. Yes one more or the 6th. In the last 7 years the market has changed when it comes to the Babby Boomers. They prefer to purchase off season at least in our area.

Oct 02, 2012 12:21 AM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Very good points and I totally agree. With interest rates low again, too, it's a great time to buy or sell. We've seen new customers just in the last couple weeks.

Gretchen

Oct 02, 2012 01:28 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Ana:  I can attest, from personal experience ... that listing your home in the Fall/Winter is smart marketing and a great time to sell.  Our family listed our prior home during this time.  I can't tell you the number of people that remarked how they could envision THEIR families living and celebrating the Holidays in our home because of the warm feeling they got viewing our home while decorated for our holiday celebrations.  It definitely was a huge factor in our successful sale.  Think about it ... when is your home any more beautiful??

Gene

Oct 02, 2012 01:46 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Ana, just got a home under contract for an end of October closing. The inventory was low and we beat out our competition. Good reasons to put a home on the market now.

Oct 02, 2012 02:56 AM
Ray Hishmeh
Coldwell Banker Legacy Real Estate Group - Horse Cave, KY

Thanks for posting!  We're already seeing the serious buyers come out.  They're pre-approved and ready to buy a house... Just waiting for the right one to come along. 

Ray

 

Oct 02, 2012 05:20 AM
John Fauth
Coldwell Banker King Thompson - Grove City, OH
Turning your dreams into an address!

What can I say that has not already been said. Great post this is a message we as Realtors need to get across to potential sellers.

Oct 02, 2012 05:32 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

AMEN! Number two is my FAVORITE. There are a whole lot let choices right now and STILL buyes looking! Why not NOW?!

Oct 02, 2012 06:20 AM
Shane Barker
Amerifirst Financial, INC. - Salt Lake City, UT

This is great advice for those clients sitting the fence, great article!

Oct 02, 2012 06:23 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

You list out what is absolutely the five best reasons to buy in the winter.  The serious buyers are out and sellers want to sell.

Oct 02, 2012 07:19 AM
Jared Stevens
Louisiana Lagniappe Realty - Pineville, LA

Good advice! I know that in our market (Central Louisiana) there is a bit of a seasonal slow down leading up to the new year, but I advise my sellers that homes that are priced right still sell everyday and average sales prices still tend to hold steady. Although, I'm sure having winters that feel more like spring helps!

Oct 02, 2012 08:05 AM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Ana:

Great advice.  If you have to sell now there are a number of reasons why this could be a good thing.  And adding to those reasons is the fact that we are still experiencing very low inventory.  It seems that every property that goes on the market in good condition and price right received multiple offers.  Essentially, that means that the sellers are getting more for their homes now.

Oct 02, 2012 09:35 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA
I bookmarked this post. Thank you for sharing some great reasons to sell now.
Oct 02, 2012 10:17 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Ana, I think "never" is a pretty big statement. That being said, I totally agree with you. I can't think of a reason to NOT sell right now if you're thinking of moving.

Oct 02, 2012 10:49 AM