The best season to sell a house is always a hot topic in Burlington and Hamilton real estate. At one point, homeowners and agents would both point to spring as the ultimate time to list, while winter and summer are to be avoided at all costs whenever possible.
Although seasonality is still a factor, the conversation has shifted. It’s more about having a detailed strategy in place than about agonizing over the timing. Today, we’ll talk about how to boost your results from your home sale in any season.
Most of the time, selling a house is a straightforward process. What if it’s not? You can find more in-depth guidance for anything you are facing in Challenges of Selling Your Home & How to Overcome Them.
Maximizing the Spring Market
Although the spring market doesn’t cause as much of a frenzy as it once did, it is still the juggernaut of real estate. Typically, more buyers come out of hibernation and begin their home search from March to May than in any other season.
If you have any freedom or flexibility over when you want to move, it makes sense to list in the springtime. You have the benefit of built-in demand. Even better, it’s relatively easy to stage your home thanks to all of the beautiful blossoms and greenery all around!
The downside of selling in the spring is that while plenty of buyers are searching, you’ll also face competition from other sellers who also decided to list during the busiest market. Even though conditions lean in your favour, you still don’t want to become complacent. A thorough spring clean-up is essential, especially after a long cold winter.
The best tip if you want to fully capitalize on the busy spring market is simple: start early. It happens faster than you think, and it’s important to ensure your house is clean, updated and in impeccable condition. Often, we recommend starting as early as late January or early February, if not sooner.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, it helps to start with some high-level planning. The posts below can help:
- What’s in Your Listing Agreement?
- Should You Sell Your House Without a Realtor®?
- What Inclusions and Exclusions Should Be on an APS?
Capturing the Excitement of Summer
As Canadians, we are trained from a very young age to look forward to summer all year long. Kids are out of school, and families tend to book their vacations months in advance. We have to squeeze out the maximum amount of enjoyment from the over-much-too-soon warm weather!
The temperatures outside might be sizzling, but the real estate market tends to cool down significantly. Who wants to look at houses or think about moving when there are pool parties to attend and cottages to enjoy?
The demand from buyers is slow, but it’s still there, all pent up and waiting. Listing during the summer can mean fewer showings and not as many visitors at your open houses, which seems like a disadvantage.
It’s almost a given that you will have fewer buyers. What matters is how eager and motivated those buyers are to find a suitable house. If they want to be settled in before the school year starts, they are very likely to place an offer on a listing that checks most of their boxes.
If you plan to sell in the summer, be sure to show off all of the warm weather potential of your home! This is another season where curb appeal works in your favour. It’s the perfect time to highlight your outdoor spaces and patio. One tip is to pay particular attention to any gardens or flower beds. Ontario summers can be dry, so be sure that everything is well watered and blooming.
The Beauty of a Fall Home Sale
There’s no need to fret if you weren’t ready to sell in time for the spring market because there’s always fall. Historically, this is the second busiest season to sell a house. It’s certainly a great time in terms of curb appeal; the stunning fall foliage helps to make your home look like it should be on a postcard!
The buyers who wanted to move in before fall started have likely already purchased, but there’s a second wave of activity from those who prefer to avoid a winter move. People are highly motivated during autumn for practical reasons, and the festive atmosphere only adds to the enthusiasm.
Cooler, more comfortable temperatures make it more pleasant to perform any maintenance tasks you’ve been putting off. Exterior painting, staining the deck or fence posts, fixing up any siding or reseeding the lawn can be sweltering during the summer.
Now, you can give both the interior and exterior a makeover while barely breaking a sweat. While you’re at it, think about winterizing your house by checking any weatherstripping around windows and doors and cleaning the eavestroughs.
A well-prepared house attracts the most attention in any market. The posts below will help ensure your listing stands out:
- How to Prepare Your Home for a First-Time Buyer
- The Power of Staging When Selling Your Home
- Worth It or Not? What Renovations Really Help When Selling Your Home
A Strong Case for Listing in Winter
The idea of selling your house in the winter might seem very counterintuitive, especially if you’ve spent years hearing about how slow the market is and how this is the worst time of all. There is some truth to that statement.
Historically, winter is the slowest season, although there have been some outliers to this trend. However, “slow” doesn’t always mean “bad.” Once again, it comes down to the type of buyer who is searching during this time.
Very few people like the idea of packing up and moving when there is snow on the ground. If they’re searching for a house right now, it’s because they need to buy, and they either can’t or don’t want to wait for the busier spring market.
Remember that while there may be fewer buyers, there are also fewer homes available for those who are searching. Homeowners typically also wait until the spring to list. By getting ahead of the market now, you benefit from the winning combination of a motivated buyer and little competition from other sellers.
Preparing for a winter sale means a little more care and attention to ensure your home shows beautifully. Extra cleaning can be necessary due to snow and slush. Most of all, it’s all about creating a warm, welcoming environment for your buyer. During showings, consider nudging the thermostat up a degree or two to ensure visitors are comfortable.
Safety is critical, so be sure to keep your driveway, sidewalks and all pathways clear of snow and ice. A few seasonal decorations are also a nice touch, when appropriate, and you can never go wrong with outdoor solar lighting.
Whenever you decide to list your home, expert positioning and capitalizing on all possible advantages can help you get exceptional results. An experienced local real estate agent can help you form your strategy so you can move when it suits your lifestyle.
Do you have questions about selling your home in today’s market? Our top agents in Hamilton & Burlington can help you get the results you need. Reach out today with any questions you have, or call 905-332-9223 to connect with our office.
