If you ask most home sellers, they would probably think you’re crazy to list your home during the winter. After all most people tend to hibernate during the winter and wait until the weather is warmer before they begin looking for a new home. While spring and summer are still the peak home-shopping seasons, listing your home in winter is not as crazy as it sounds for a variety of reasons.

1. Most corporate job transfers occur in January. If you’ve recently gotten a job promotion, you may need to sell your current home,  because you have to move.
2. New Year’s resolutions inspire people to buy versus rent. Since people associate the New Year with a fresh start, renters are more likely to be motivated to move into a home and start taking advantage of the tax implications of homeownership.
3. Year-end bonuses mean buyers have more money for a down payment. Extra money at the end of the year could spur buyers to look for a new home.  
4. Buyers are always looking – no matter the season. With today’s technology, buyers can look at listings any time of the day, any day of the year. They don’t care if it’s winter. They’re just looking for the right home.
5. Less competition could equal more demand for your home. Since most owners list their homes in the spring, there are often less homes for sale during the winter. So you can expect more demand for your home. In fact, according to a study by real estate company Redfin, homes listed between December and March sell faster than homes listed in spring. And the average seller also makes more money during winter real estate transactions.
6. Winter home shoppers are serious buyers. If someone braves the cold to house hunt during the winter, they’re likely a motivated buyer, because they need to move. This also means you’ll have endure fewer showings.
7. You’ll benefit from more advertising. Since your real estate agent will have less inventory to contend with during the winter, your home will be advertised more often.
8. Your real estate agent can provide you with more attention. Again, since your agent won’t have as many houses to sell, you can expect your agent to devote more time to selling your home.

If you’re a homeowner who’s interested in selling your home in the New Year, you don’t have to wait until spring to list your home. Do it now, so you don’t have to put off your plans for the New Year until the weather is warmer.

And if you’re looking to buy a new home yourself this winter, contact the mortgage specialists at Grandview Lending to get your loan application process going. Another advantage of buying in the winter is that title companies usually aren’t as busy as they during the spring and summer. Therefore, your loan will likely be processed quicker so you’ll be in your new home in no time.

Photo credit: 123RF / feverpitched