Kirk Holton Team Blog

Dear Rita the Realtor,

This may sound like a silly question, but are my husband and I foolish to list our home  during the cold, dreary winter months? Our Realtor says we should go ahead and put it on the market, and that there are lots of buyers out there, but my tulips and jonquils are so gorgeous in the Springtime .I feel like our pretty yard would really help the house sell. Also, our pool would be open. What do you think? What is your best advice and why?

Rosie

Dear Rosie,

I appreciate your dilema. It is shared by many sellers.
The rule of thumb with buyers, however, is that spring begins in the housing market on January 1st, (weather permitting.) The Holidays are over and folks are ready to get their springtime plans in order. Plus, Real Estate is no longer such a seasonal business.  If there are ice storms/snow storms, this slows down the process…but the minute people can get out again, appointments are being made, and homes are selling.
True, your home may not show as well, but look at your competition….overpriced homes from last summer and last fall’s market…low inventory. This is an opportunity! Once Spring is in full swing, there will be many homes with beautiful landscaping and swimming pools with which you would be competing . Why not be “the only girl at the dance?”….less competition gets the job done. I had a client once who was finally ready to list her home in mid June. Guess what? She had very slow traffic because so many buyers had already bought and closed on their homes. They ended up selling in the fall. If you want to sell your home this spring, I would follow your Realtor’s advice…..as long as your home is in good showing condition, and priced reasonably, ….go for a winter listing! Good luck!

Rita the Realtor