The Toronto real estate market seems to always be on a low simmer, waiting to boil over when the first signs of warm weather arrive. In fact, when we think of the “spring market” we are thinking much earlier than the average home buyer or seller. Realistically, homeowners thinking of selling in the spring need to get ready as early as January or February. This is when buyers wanting to move in the spring are ready to put their money where their mouths are. So in our eyes, that leaves a little window of opportunity for home sellers to get ahead of the game, and put their homes on the market in the winter. Here are five reasons we think this is an excellent idea!
1. Winter Buyers are Motivated Buyers
Let’s face it, no one in their right mind is going to want to go out in the dead of winter to house hunt. That’s why most people don’t put their houses on the market in November or December. But consider this: the people who are willing to put on their winter gear in search of a home are actually in search of a home. No tire kickers here. You have qualified buyers who are willing to make a move even if it means they have to wear boots to do it.
2. Your House And No One Else’s (almost)
While we can’t say you will have the ONLY house on the market, we can say you will be one of the very few. It all boils down to simple math and supply and demand. When there are fewer homes on the market, even if there are fewer buyers (which there are), you still have very little competition. Suddenly your home is sold above asking because the few buyers out there know a good thing when they see it.
3. Some Homes Show Better in the Winter
The summer months are packed with people flaunting their outdoor living card. If you don’t have a great backyard, the best way to take attention away from that fact is to cover it with snow. Another selling point in the winter? Fireplaces and cozy rooms. If you have a fantastic fireplace, and smaller rooms that become warm and welcoming when the weather outside is frightful, this could be an excellent selling strategy for you. It just takes some simple staging to show off your homey space and have people wanting to snuggle up to that crackling fire.
4. Easy Curb Appeal
Imagine the summer. Now imagine your front lawn. Are you seeing the weeds? The lawn that needs endless mowing? Now, imagine the winter. Can you see the snow? Maybe the Christmas lights twinkling in the crisp winter air? It just takes a shovel and some ice melter to keep your winter curb appeal at its best. That is far easier than keeping up appearances in the spring, summer, or fall.
5. Fewer Showings, Better Offers
When you sell your home in the winter, you might get fewer people showing up to view your home, but more qualified leads. As we mentioned in point number one, this is because winter buyers are motivated. They have fewer homes to view, and are more serious about the homes they choose to see. Winter sales are easier, because you don’t have to put up with a long line of uninterested people. Just a few earnest buyers who will consider putting in a generous offer.
Whether you’re planning to sell in the spring, or decide to list one of the few houses in the winter, I’m here to help sell your home confidently and quickly. If you’re looking to upsize or downsize and aren’t sure whether you should buy or sell first, take a look at this blog.
Photo by Daria Besedina on Unsplash
