Selling your house can be a complex and stressful process, but timing your sale correctly can make a significant difference in how quickly your property sells and the price you receive. In Cincinnati, where we experience all four seasons, the specific time of year can certainly play a part in the success of a sale. It’s no secret that spring and summer seem to be the most popular times to sell. But what if your situation necessitates selling sooner? Here are some questions to consider.
Q: Should I sell my home now or wait until spring?
A: It isn’t always beneficial to wait until the typical busier spring season to sell. The odds of selling could actually be better in the winter season. Some less motivated sellers pull their homes off the market during the holidays, which lessens competition. You would also only have highly motivated buyers looking at your property, as opposed to some fair weather “tire kickers” that typically come out in the spring and summer. Any disruption to your holiday schedule would be worth it if only serious buyers are looking. Another important consideration could be if you are looking to buy another home after selling your current one. The lack of available inventory might discourage you from selling now and instead choose to wait to sell in the spring when there may be more properties to choose from.
Q: If I list my property for sale during the holidays, can I still put up my seasonal décor?
A: It is not recommended that property photos show your seasonal décor. After the holidays, the photos would look dated very quickly and wouldn’t be suitable to be used for marketing purposes. If you are listing your property during the holidays, be sure your professional photos are taken before any decorations are placed. Once photos have been taken, however, do not worry about showing your property with tasteful holiday décor. A property that has been mindfully decorated for the holidays can be very welcoming to a potential buyer. I always enjoy getting in the holiday spirit by visiting nicely decorated homes!
Q: The market seems so slow right now. What is going on?
A: Last fall, we started seeing a return to usual market seasonality for the first time since 2019 (BC – Before Covid!). This fall, although interest rates aren’t at 8% as they were a year ago, the normally slower fall real estate market is upon us again. In addition, the usually quieter fall market of an election year has also kicked in. It is important to consider, however, that homes sell during every month of the year in the Cincinnati area.
Q: If I decide to wait to sell, what improvements should I focus on this winter to be market-ready in spring?
A: The most valuable home sale preparation efforts are decluttering and neutralizing. Any delayed maintenance items should also be your focus. Schedule those contractors now, instead of in the busier spring season. The Move2Team has an interior designer on our staff exclusively to help our clients appropriately stage their homes for sale. We frequently work with home sellers months in advance and our staging consultation is recommended early in the process, especially in the winter months to prepare for a spring sale.
Advertorial originally appeared in November 2024