Should I Sell My Home During the Winter Months?

By Shawn Hermosillo

Shawn Hermosillo, founder of Hermosillo Real Estate Group (HRE), is a Sonoma County native with deep roots in the community and a passion for real estate.

Do you need to sell your home soon but are afraid no one will want to buy during the winter months? Conventional real estate wisdom says that no one is looking to purchase a house this time of year. After all, everyone’s kids are home from school, and they must be incredibly busy from the winter months, right?

The truth is that most people move when they need to, not when they want to. You can still get a great deal during the winter months for your home sale; in fact, there are even a few key advantages. Here are three reasons why you should consider selling your home during the winter months:

1. People have more time off during the winter months. It’s true that people are busy on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, but you have to remember that those are only three days out of the year. For the rest of the winter months, most people have extra time off to look at homes and plan out a move. A three-day weekend or extended break is just the excuse some buyers need to get out and look at your home.

2. Inventory is low. When you list your home, you want there to be the least amount of competition possible so that you’re in a stronger negotiating position with buyers. Fortunately, December and January are when homes for sale hit a year-long low. This means buyers don’t have as many choices, and you might be able to ask for more concessions during negotiations.

3. Buyers are highly motivated this time of year. You don’t have to worry about window shoppers this time of year. If a buyer is interested in your home during the winter months, it probably means they need to move as soon as possible. This could be because they need to get a new job, they need to move soon for tax reasons, or anything else. Whatever their motivation is, you can be sure they’re more likely to be serious about buying your home and following through with the deal.

If you want to sell in Q1 next year, please call or email me for a free pre-listing consultation. It always pays to plan ahead, and I’ll go over everything you need to make sure you get the best deal possible. Contact me at 707-591-0570 or email me at hermosillogroup@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!