• Real Estate Professionals
  • Service Providers
First American Home Warranty
  • Request Service
  • Sign In
  • 888.875.0533
  • Get a Quote
  • Menu
Request Service Sign In

Homeowner

  • Overview
  • Why Buy a Home Warranty
  • What's Covered
  • How to Request Service
  • Home Warranty Reviews
  • Get a Quote
  • Home Appliance Warranty Coverage
  • Budget Protection
  • What is a Home Warranty?

Service Provider

  • Overview
  • Why Join Our Team
  • Home Warranty Network 101
  • Service Provider Testimonials
  • Service Provider Application

Real Estate Professional

  • Overview
  • Why Choose First American
  • Sample Coverage
  • Locate Your Area Manager
  • CRES Home Warranty
  • Real Estate Testimonials
  • Marketing Materials

Resources

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Case Studies and Testimonials
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Home Maintenance Tips
Menu

Sign In / Register

  • Email Address is required.
  • Password is required.
Register Forgot Password
Request Service Sign In
  • Blog Home
  • Budget Smart
  • Home Care
  • Home Maintenance
  • Home Warranty
  • Homeowner Tips
  • Lifestyle
  • Real Estate
  • Archives
Pros and Cons of Buying and Selling a Home in the Winter
Real Estate

Pros and Cons of Buying and Selling a Home in the Winter

As with every decision in life, there are pros and cons to buying or selling a home in winter. Many homeowners believe selling a home during the colder months is not a good idea and that spring is the best time to sell. This isn’t exactly true. Most real estate markets across the country do experience a spring rush, however, the winter season may be a good fit for many reasons.

Selling a Home in the Winter

Less Competition

Traditionally, the winter home buying season isn't very busy because most buyers scoop up properties during the spring and summer, leaving only a select few for the colder months. The fewer number of comparable homes for sale, the greater the probability a buyer will look at your home. Simply put, it’s supply and demand. If there are fewer homes to choose from, the demand for your home has just increased. Not only will less competition increase the probability for showings, but it will also increase the probability that an offer will be received and you will get the maximum amount of money for your home.

Serious Buyers Are Out There

Homes are sold and bought 365 days a year, but serious buyers will continue to look at homes no matter what time of year it is. Buyers looking during the winter months are motivated buyers. These motivated buyers might have a pressing matter that is pushing them to close on a house quickly – particularly before the weather conditions become even more challenging. It’s also about quality vs. quantity. For an example, if one home needs the carpet replaced and another already has brand new carpet, most buyers will choose the latter home.

The Best Real Estate Agents are Up to the Challenge

As a seller, you need an experienced real estate agent to help you reach your goals. Selling during the winter can pose unique challenges, but also unique opportunities. A good real estate agent will know how to adapt to the current season and market their listings to reflect that. They can also help with suggestions and tips on how to sell a home during the winter season.

Staging for the Holiday Season

Many real estate professionals believe proper staging is one of the primary reasons a home sells. While staging certainly helps, many buyers still have a hard time envisioning themselves in a home no matter how it looks. However, there are some buyers who can easily be "sold" on a home because of the staging. Simple seasonal staging such as adjusting the color of the decor or having an aroma in the air relative to the time of year can go a long way with some buyers and possibly be the difference between a home selling or not. And during the winter months, most homes are prepared and decorated for the holidays to show off the warmth and approach-ability of the home.

Buying a Home in the Winter

Winter Could be a Perfect Time to Buy

Just as with selling in the winter months, buying can also have its perks; inventory is lower, buyers come out in smaller numbers, and sellers may be motivated because of a job move or life change and could be more willing to negotiate. All that adds up as an opportunity for the buyer to save money.

Take Advantage of the Mild Weather

The cool weather could also offer a better buying experience. Many people don’t like shopping for homes during the heat of the summer months because driving and walking around in hot weather is just not fun! Take advantage of the milder weather and explore homes and neighborhoods rather than just driving by or sweating through a day of showings.

Winter Season Pricing is Down

Seasonal home prices are typically lowest in January and February, meaning home buyer affordability is at its highest. Increased home affordability means: 1) it costs less to buy now than it will in spring or 2) you can buy more house (more square footage, higher level of finish, better condition and a more desirable location) for the same amount of money.

Quicker Transactions

For buyers and sellers, during the winter months there are fewer real estate transactions than there are in the spring time. The fewer number of transactions means the mortgage lenders have fewer loans to process, title and escrow companies have less closings, and home inspectors have fewer inspections. All of these factors should lead to a quicker transaction and closing for all the parties involved. In the end, the best time to buy is when a seller is motivated to sell, and the best time to sell is when a buyer is motivated to buy.

This article is about...
  • Buying a home
  • Selling a home
  • Winter
  • First-time homebuyers
  • Real estate marketing
Buying a home

Buying a Home?

It's time to select your home warranty plan!

You qualify for our special pricing and expanded coverage as part of your home purchase, or you can order your plan for up to 60 days after you close.

Get a Quote Today

Popular Articles

water heater temperature
What's the Best Temperature for Your Water Heater?
Finding a home's shutoffs
Where to Find Your Home's Shutoff Valves
Ceiling fan direction
Which Way Should Your Ceiling Fan Turn?
When to change water filter
How Often Should You Change Water Filters?
Home warranty repair
What is a Home Warranty?
Change dishwasher filter
Does Your Dishwasher Have a Filter?
garbage disposal tips
What Can Safely Go in the Garbage Disposal?
Grout cleaning guidance
Guide to Care, Cleaning, and Maintenance of Grout
Changing air filter
How to Change the Air Filter in Your HVAC System
Converting your garage
Garage Conversion Ideas

This website uses cookies and similar technologies to manage your sessions, manage content, and improve your website experience. To learn more about these technologies, your options, and about other categories of personal information we collect through this website and how we may use it, please see our privacy policy. This notice is effective for your use of this website for the next 14 days.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
© 2022 First American Home Warranty Corporation and its licensed subsidiaries. All rights reserved.