It may be hard to believe in the current market, but there was a time when we could give a definitive answer as to the best season to list your house. It was almost always the spring, followed by the fall. That’s when more buyers were out, and every seller wanted to capitalize on the opportunity.
Everything has changed since, and the market has become more complex. However, many people still consider it a bad idea to try to sell during the summer or winter, which are traditionally the slower months. While the time of year can matter to a degree, other factors are often even more critical to your success. So today, let’s consider two options: should you run with the crowd and list your home during the peak season? Or should you run toward the fire and sell when you have less competition?
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The Off-Season Can Work in Your Favour
If you are serious about selling your home and don’t want to or can’t wait for a busy season, there is no need to worry. The winter months can still be an excellent time to list. You may not have as many buyers since people often try to avoid house hunting in the winter due to bad weather and the holidays. However, all is not lost.
Fewer people are looking, but those that are tend to be highly motivated to move. These buyers are exploring their options because they have to buy, rather than want to buy. Like you, they also don’t want to (or can’t) wait until the spring or fall when more listings become available!
Why else would anyone want to brave the snow and the slush to find their next home? Often, a buyer simply doesn’t have the choice. Many winter buyers are likely facing some sort of deadline, such as:
- They have already sold their home and need to find a place before their closing date.
- January and February are the leading months for switching jobs. Therefore a lot of people are relocating during these months. They are typically on a tight deadline and are eager to get settled in before they start their new position.
- Few houses are available as most sellers wait until spring to list. This scarcity can mean you have more negotiating power.
Should you make Guelph your next home? The posts below can help you build a strong case:
- Guelph Vs Toronto: Is It Time to Move?
- Is Guelph, Ontario, a Good Place to Live?
- 5 Reasons to Make Guelph Your Next Home
Hidden Advantages of Selling a Home During Slower Seasons
Less competition from other sellers is the primary benefit of selling your house during a less busy season. However, there are many other advantages you may not expect. For example:
Many people don’t factor in the availability of contractors and other service providers. In the winter, these businesses are slower and tend to have more availability. Often, they’ll even offer lower costs during the off-season.
Contrast that with the spring and summer. You might have to wait weeks or months before finding reputable tradespeople to help get your house show ready – if you can book them at all.
Even the banks can be slower, which could mean they provide extra incentives and better access to funding at the beginning of the year. Loans can be processed quicker, which in turn leads to a faster sale.
Lastly, think of the selling experience itself rather than just the outcome. During the off-seasons, you won’t have as many people booking in-person visits. Again, those who do are highly motivated buyers who are typically pre-approved and ready to act.
Fewer showings is less intrusive to your daily routine, leading to a selling experience that is more relaxed and less stressful. For this reason alone, many homeowners will actually wait for the winter or summer to list their house.
If you need more tips for selling your house in today’s market, you’ll find plenty in the posts below:
- What Are the Best Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value?
- Why Isn’t My House Selling?
- 5 Quick Updates That Add Resale Value
Selling Your Home With a Built-In Advantage
As advantageous as the off-seasons can be, there’s no denying the benefits of listing during a hot market. Though seasonality isn’t quite what it once was, more buyers still tend to come out in the spring and fall, followed by the summer months.
You’ll have competition, but there are also plenty of buyers to go around. If a fast sale is important to you, it makes sense to strike while the iron is hot.
Whenever you sell, keep your goals in mind. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if 100 people visit your home or only 10 people come through. All you need is for one buyer to fall in love at first sight, and a successful sale is almost inevitable.
For a customized plan to sell your house in any season, get in touch with our top Guelph real estate agents. Reach out today at info@gowylde.ca or call 519-826-7109 to get started.
