ERA Justin Realty Demystifies 2018 Winter Home Selling         

As the leaves fall and the weather gets colder, homeowners sometime shudder at the thought of selling their home in the Winter, out of fear that there will be fewer buyers, their home will look less attractive and may command a different selling price than in the Spring. Following are the 4 most common myths as well as the truths about selling a home in the Winter, as reviewed by the group of ERA Justin Realty sales professionals and management team. 

Myth #1 If I wait until the Spring to sell my house there will be more buyers and more competition for my home.

TRUTH: “There really is a continuous monthly market balance,” according to Ron Darby Broker Co-Owner, “since most markets are interest rate driven.” “Interest rates are currently low, and that is what motivates most buyers.” 

Foot traffic through your home in the Spring, may be a bit more but a  portion of these people may be just “lookers,” according to Darby, “In the late fall and winter you may have slightly fewer showings, but you tend to get more serious qualified buyers because few people like to spend an afternoon browsing through homes when the weather is cold, rainy or snowy. These buyers may be more serous while the “lookers” may wait until the Spring.”

Myth #2 “My house will sell for a higher price in the Spring” or “Since the economy has been so good in 2017, I’ll wait to get an even higher price for my house in 2018.”

TRUTH: The strong home prices of 2017 may remain similar and not continue to escalate in 2018. We know what the strong economy is like now. With worldwide uncertainties, there is no way to predict what lies ahead in the Spring of 2018. “A significant benefit of Winter home selling is that there is less inventory at this time of year, which translates into less competition amongst listings,” states Darby. “Remember, it only takes one buyer to purchase a house, and sellers establish the price that they choose to offer their  house at.  Houses that are well decorated, updated and in move-in condition typically move rapidly, continued Darby. 

Myth #3 My house looks better in the Spring when the trees have leaves and the flowers are blooming.

TRUTH: Remember, the playing field is level whatever season you choose to sell your home. In the Spring, everyone’s house has blooming flowers and trees. Do not discount the benefits of Winter selling. Holiday decorations and the wonderful aroma of food, roaring fires and scented candles are very attractive to buyers.

Myth #4 Since I need to move in the Spring, I will wait until after the Winter to sell my house. 

TRUTH: Winter home sellers can choose a closing date in the Spring, which can benefit both the seller and the buyer. The seller, knowing that their house is sold, can go and buy a new house, without pressure. The buyer benefits by having the necessary time to sell their old house. 

Sellers interested in learning more about selling their home in the late Fall/Winter can contact the ERA Justin Realty sales professionals at both of their Rutherford office locations at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue, for a no obligation Comparable Analysis Report.  A written report that provides the market value of a house, those houses that have sold, market trends and other information that will aid a seller in properly pricing their house is available for the asking.  Phone the ERA Justin Realty team at (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.  ERA Justin Realty is a “Top 100” ERA real estate firm worldwide and have sold multi-thousands of houses since they opened their office in 1950 for service to their sellers, their buyers and the communities they serve.