Should I List My Home in Winter?

Thinking of listing your home this winter?

We had our first flirt with snow this week and it got me thinking about winter weather, the holidays and their affect on the real estate market here in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Now is the time of year many people think about making changes in their lives and often times making a move is one of them. For the past several years, I would get a call from my mother around January saying "we need to sell this house." For those downsizing, winter and spring highlight the amount of upkeep a home requires: from yard maintenance to fuel bills to shoveling the walk. For people just starting out "having a place to call home" is an exciting adventure to look forward to.

Conventional thinking tells us "we should wait until spring" to list our homes.  I can understand that thinking, as buyers also tend to come out in the spring. It's warm and fun to take a drive and look at open houses  on a sunny afternoon. Many sellers want to highlight their gardens when they are in bloom. We reason that winter is the time for nesting and staying in our homes watching football. We further reason that buyers will be doing the same thing!

However, ask yourself this: "Why do people move?" There are a handful of reasons: moving up to a first or larger home, downsizing to a smaller home, job changes, marital changes or desire for a different school district. Consider that babies don't wait until spring to be born, job transfers don't wait. Life events happen when they happen; life doesn't take a break at holiday time! Accordingly, some people may want to buy or need to list their home in the winter. In fact, there is some logic in thinking that if buyers are out looking at homes in the winter they are more serious and motivated. So, as a seller, while you may have fewer showings it's less likely that they will be tire kickers! You'll also have less competition!

Here in Delaware and Chester counties, we are experiencing an inventory shortage in certain price ranges and communities such as West Chester, Glen Mills and Media.  All year long I've been involved with mulitple offer situations both with buyers and sellers. No matter which side you are on, it can be stressful because a house can only go to one buyer.

One thing I've noticed, however, is that some houses are still on the market. Even in this "seller's market," buyers have become accustomed to seeing houses in peak condition and priced appropriately for the market. It is understandable that not everyone can afford to have their home repainted and staged, but if that is the case it should be priced accordingly.

If you have been thinking about selling your home, now is a perfect time to start a conversation with a seasoned Realtor® who can help you with priorities, discuss the plan for your move and help you estimate your costs and review local comparable sales. 

If you still plan to wait until spring to list your home, here are some things you can do now to prepare yourself and your home for sale:

• Clear clutter: get rid of old magazines,newspapers, refrigerator magnets etc.
• Put all yard items away and clean the gutters-not only does it look nicer, but it will prevent "ice dams" at the roof line.
• Neaten closets and junk drawers- think about donating excess towels, sheets and blankets to your favorite charities. The Delaware County SPCA is always looking for these items!
• Excess funiture can shrink a room--call a Realtor or professional stager if you don't know which items to keep or get rid of to make sure you don't take too much away.
• Remove excessive wall hangings and personal photographs; if you are able, refresh your house with a coat of paint in a neutral color.
• Wash windows, tighten and clean door handles and find keys if you don't have them.
• If you are able, fix all leaks, identify and address potential use and occupancy issues and other items that may hamper a sale.
• If you live in a condo or HOA community, determine if there are any items that need to be addressed by the association.
• Check your windows for condensation/fog and have them replaced (this can take weeks). Some inspectors will note this as a defect. If the windows are under warranty, it may not be transferrable so best for you replace them now.
• If you have a septic system, have it inspected.
• Where are you going? Have you been prequalified to buy your next home? How much cash will you take from your sale? If underwater on your mortgage, do you qualify for a short sale? Again, a Realtor can help you with these questions. In a quickly moving market, you need to be prepared!

Winter is a time of high emotion and a photo like the one above might just make someone fall in love with a property! So don't think that just because there is snow on the ground, no one is looking for a home!  If you want to take a look at what's for sale in the West Chester-Glen Mills-Media area, click here for a current list of inventory or call me for a specific search!

"Be grateful for the home that you have, knowing at this moment all you have is all you need."

~ Sara Bon Breathnach

 Click here for Holiday Fun in Chester and Delaware County!