If you’re considering selling your home in Yakima during the winter, you might wonder if there are any benefits. In the short-term (meaning during a snowy winter season), people might assume they should wait to put their home on the market until spring or summer when the weather is warmer, and buyers are more likely to look at houses.
Is this a good idea? Whether your need to sell is a classic case of now or never, or if you just want to take advantage of the time of year, winter can be a great time to get your house on the market. While buyers do go crazy for a freshly cut lawn, that doesn’t have to mean you don’t have options.
Today, we’re tackling typical winter selling concerns and giving you the pros and cons, so you feel prepared and know what to expect…
The Changing Market
Con: There are fewer people looking to buy in the winter months.
Pro: Fewer homes are on the market during these months, so there is less competition for you to contend with. And yes, there are fewer buyers too, but the buyers who are looking are serious and ready now!
Unpredictable Weather
Con: Winter weather is unpredictable and can make showing your home and moving homes challenging.
Pro: The best approach is a proactive one! We’ve just come to expect crazy weather and prepare for it. For example, we always have ice melt and a snow plow available to clear driveways and walkways for our clients if they can’t or are out of town. Joel is great at this.
Inside, we also always suggest more rugs at the entrance and ask for shoes to be taken off in the home.
Exterior Winter Photos
Con: If snow is on the ground, it may cause piles of plowed snow and large portions of muddy ground. Paired with the potentially dark grey sky, it may be difficult to get an attractive shot.
Pro: Winter photos can turn out beautifully! We had this listing go up in December, and it just so happened to snow a few inches the day before we were scheduled to take the photos. Although we were nervous, in the end, we couldn’t believe how beautiful the pictures turned out with the fresh white powder covering all the brown and dead things. The home sold in less than 24 hours!
Holiday Decor
Con: Extra decorations can clutter and distract people from seeing themselves living in your home.
Pro: You can set up tasteful yet minimal decorations in your home. You just don’t want to overwhelm potential buyers. For example, a wreath on the door and natural greenery will feel festive without it being overwhelming. But the cozy, warm and inviting feel that holiday decor brings to a house can make it more attractive to buyers. They start thinking they want to create their own holiday memories there too. Get all our staging tips here.
As you can see, winter is far from the worst time to sell your home in Yakima. The best time to list your home, is when you need/want to. And in fact, it really comes down to how you list and market your home. Have a proven, trusted agent (like us!) help you take on these challenges. There’s no sense in fighting with the calendar when professional help can deliver the results you want!
Until next time,
Mal & Joel
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