Will Your Property Sell in the Winter?
By Jim Palmer Jr.

Many sellers remove their house from the market in the winter, mostly because they dread moving in winter time conditions, but sometimes it is just because they perceive that a subdued winter market would hold no promise of selling.  While the first reason may be valid, the second reason probably melts away because of the current hot market.

Since most people (including some Realtors®) think that way, the inventory of available listings usually shrinks dramatically in winter months in our local area.  That condition may actually give you the edge, since the inventory is down and your listing may become much more visible because of less competition.

Land sales seem to be less affected by winter time blues than home sales!  For instance, each January, when people are able to calculate the amount of tax return they will be receiving, land sales seem to increase. Maybe it’s just cabin fever that stimulates the desire to do something!   One reason for that late season action is that some land buyers have already spent a lot of time thinking about it before they bite.  Their desire for property is often more related to a dream they have to get to the country someday rather than an actual immediate need.  These types of buyers have usually found and viewed their property of choice many times before they actually submit an offer in writing.  Of course there are exceptions to the rule!   I once showed a property in chest deep snow (on snow shoes) to a buyer who was so enamored by the beauty of the property that they immediately purchased the parcel, even though they had never seen it without snow.   There is usually a lesser sense of urgency for land buyers, compared to a home buyer who needs shelter immediately, even though with the current housing shortage more folks are opting to buy land and build because they cannot find a suitable existing home.

Many Realtors® want inventory that will sell immediately.  The reason is obvious.  They want to see an immediate return on their marketing efforts and realize that winter may not be the best time for that.  Established brokers may be more willing to take the chance, since they know that homes and properties do sell in the winter time, and they have learned to create a financial buffer in case such inventory doesn’t sell immediately.