Yes, Homes do sell in December & January
Brrrr! Are December and January Too Cold for Hot Home Sales?
It is a myth that has been perpetuated for decades. Homes simply don’t sell in December and January. Of course, that begs us to believe that nobody ever moves or wants to buy a house at the end of one year or the beginning of another. Yeah. Well, while we embrace Santa and all eight reindeer, American homeowners are not ready to bite on that one. Sure, they might not be the peak month for home sales, but homes do sell in both December and January. So, if you’re thinking of a new location and you want to do it now, what do you need to do to make your home such a hot deal that people will wade through three feet of snow for an open house?
First, ask a fair price. The housing market has been on a heck of a roller coaster ride. Take not only your house but your neighborhood’s housing market, into consideration, as well. Sure you want to make money, but setting too high a price puts your home into competition with similar types of homes that may be selling for less. Your real estate agent can help you with this. Once you have determined the price and are ready to market it, make sure that you allow your agent to implement a thorough and comprehensive marketing plan to gain exposure.
Sure, open houses in hot locales like Hawaii and Florida and other tropical exotic places do well all year; but let’s face it, people are more willing to drive around and check out the goods in warm, sunny weather. But don’t fret yet because the Internet is a great way to bring your open house right into the homes of millions of potential buyers. MLS listings that feature virtual tours, or at least a comprehensive portfolio of pictures of the listing, get more hits and, not surprisingly, many more offers from prospective buyers.
If you live in a cold weather climate and have a cozy fireplace, make sure Internet house hunters get a glimpse of that in your photo spread. And yes, it is okay to show pictures of what your house looks like when the sun is shining, the grass is green and the pool is not drained. List any eco-friendly energy saving upgrades you have made to your home. If you haven’t made any, a small investment in thermal-paned windows or an energy efficient water heater can make a huge difference in nudging a buyer into your house as opposed to the one down the street.
Yes. Homes do sell in December and January. What family wouldn’t want a beautiful new home just in time for Christmas or to start off the New Year? To make them choose yours, just make sure you reach out to them where they are.
