Flagstaff, winter has officially arrived, and so has the time of year when home sellers wonder whether they should keep their properties on the market or take them off. Or, if owners haven’t listed their home yet, they may be asking themselves if they should wait until spring, or brave the cold and snowy real estate market.
Trying to sell during the winter can be daunting for many homeowners. The season can be extremely busy for families, and the idea of taking on the additional stress of selling a house could be a turnoff to some people.
Many consider the “holiday season” to be the worst time to sell their home; it’s the time of year when homeowners are hosting family members, putting up favorite decorations and planning vacations. However, listing a home during these festive times can be especially advantageous to homeowners, and it doesn’t have to ruin any holiday cheer.
Here are a few reasons why homeowners in our mountain town should consider listing their homes this winter:
Less Inventory. For many homeowners, selling their home during winter seems like too much of a hassle, and they will either take their home off the market or wait until the warmer months to list. This in tern creates an inventory shortage, which is great news for a seller. Because there are limited choices for buyers, the homeowner will have less competition, and could possibly achieve a higher asking price.
Control Your Showings. Homeowners do not need their homes to be constantly available for showing. Let your real estate agent know if there are certain days and times that won’t work for your schedule. You can have blackout dates where there are absolutely no showings, or create a daily schedule outlining when exactly potential buyers can come through the home. Your agent is there to help make the process go smoothly.
Staging. Staging your home during winter can be as easy as decorating for the holidays. Just be careful not to overdo it, as décor that is too large or over the top can distract buyers. Consider using general fall and winter decorations rather than using religious themes.
Motivated Buyers. People hunting for homes during winter often have a reason for doing so, meaning that they are more motivated buyers. Most buyers who aren’t incredibly motivated will put off a home search during the holidays and pick things up again in the spring. If someone is touring homes instead of celebrating the season with friends and family, they likely need to buy a home quickly and could be willing to pay more.
Everyone’s situation and purpose for selling is different, but the winter months are an ideal time for many. And of course, the most important thing that you can do to give yourself an advantage, is to hire a RealtorÆ, a member of the National Association of Realtors®. A RealtorÆ will have real insights and unique knowledge of the Flagstaff market, and can help you sell your home this winter so that you and your family can get back to celebrating the holidays. A winter market isn’t COLD, it is SOLD!
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Flagstaff, winter has officially arrived, and so has the time of year when home sellers wonder whether they should keep their properties on the market or take them off. Or, if owners haven’t listed their home yet, they may be asking themselves if they should wait until spring, or brave the cold and snowy real estate market.
