Will My Home Sell in the Winter?

I am often asked by potential St. Charles home sellers...."Should I list my home in the Winter?"


The answer is...if you have found another home you would like to purchase or need to sell...then YES!  Home buyers are searching and shopping for homes 365 days a year and if your home is not on the market, it certainly won't sell.


It's true, as a St. Charles and St. Louis Realtor, I normally see a slower pace in the real estate market during the late fall and the winter months, but sales certainly do not stop.


Many things drive buyers into looking for a home during Winter;  i.e., relocation, desire to obtain another dream home, new job, retirement, or life events, like a new baby.  In addition, many buyers want to take advantage of lower interest rates and not gamble that the rates will remain low come Spring.  Buyers become homeowners every day of the year (with exception, of course, for actual holidays when banks and title companies are closed).


I find that during the winter months, when inventory is typically down, Sellers with a "quality" home (well-maintained, updated and nicely presented) can actually get a higher price due to the fact there are fewer competing homes for Buyers to choose from.


Come Spring, the real estate market will be flooded with homes being listed, making competition fierce.  Typically, an oversupply of homes will drive sales prices down.


So, should you list in Winter?  I say, YES, if you want/need to sell in Winter or early Spring.  A common saying in my business is:  "There's a home for every buyer and a buyer for every home" regardless of what day or time of year it is.