Many people believe that spring is the best time to sell a house, and it’s true that buyer activity often increases during that season. However, there’s a downside: competition also spikes as numerous homeowners list their properties at the same time.
So, what’s the benefit of selling your house before spring? It stands out.
Historically, the inventory of homes for sale tends to decrease during the cooler months, giving buyers fewer options to choose from.
This trend is evident in data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which shows that the number of available homes consistently drops in the winter months. Following each winter slowdown, inventory rises as more sellers enter the market closer to spring (see graph below).
Here’s why knowing how this trend works gives you an edge. While inventory is higher this year than it‘s been in the last few winters, if you work with an agent to list now, it’ll still be in this year’s sweet spot.
So, while other sellers are taking their homes off the market, you can sell before the spring wave of new listings hits, and your house will have a better chance of standing out.
Why wait until spring when you can get ahead of the curve now?
Fewer Listings Also Means More Eyes on Your Home
One major advantage of selling in the winter? The buyers actively searching now are genuinely motivated to make a move.
During this time of year, casual window-shoppers are often preoccupied with holiday activities or prefer to avoid house hunting in colder weather. The buyers who are looking are typically driven by pressing needs, such as a job relocation, an expiring lease, or other time-sensitive reasons—exactly the kind of serious buyers you want.
As Investopedia puts it:
“…if your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy.”
Bottom Line
With fewer competing listings and motivated buyers actively searching, this winter offers an excellent opportunity to sell your house. Reach out today, and let’s get started!
