The pumpkins have all been carved, the leaves have fallen, and now we are settling into those long winter months. At this time of year we frequently hear from potential clients who want to sell their home but think they should wait until spring. And while we fully understand the natural instinct to want to just hibernate and watch Disney until it warms up - selling during the winter months actually offers some unique opportunities and perks.
Here are six key reasons that listing your home or property in the Boise, Idaho area during the colder months might be perfect for you.
1. Basic Supply & Demand: Fewer Homes “For Sale” Boosts Your Visibility
With demand at an all-time high across the Treasure Valley and inventory already low (and set to decrease throughout the next few months) listing your home or property will generate heightened interest. With fewer options available but highly motivated buyers on the hunt across the Boise area, many sellers who list in the winter months experience strong interest resulting in multiple-offer situations. In addition, with limited options available to choose from, many potential buyers who might otherwise be nit-picky may be more likely to forgo certain features or upgrades that they would otherwise deem as “must haves”.
2. “Easy” Landscaping & Curb Appeal
In comparison to listing in the spring, summer, and fall - listing during the colder months will save you time and money on establishing exterior curb appeal. Instead of purchasing flower pots, sod, planters, etc. and/or worrying about trimming hedges, raking leaves, deadheading flowers, etc. all you will really need to do to prepare your house in the winter is ensure your driveway is plowed and looks orderly. That’s it! Your weekends and off-work hours can be spent up at Bogus or enjoying family time (opposed to upkeeping the yard to ensure it ‘wows’ from the moment a potential buyer pulls up).
3. Fewer Lookie-Loos Saves You Time by Making it Easier to Identify Serious Buyers
Most people don't want to get all bundled up and deal with the icy roads to attend 'Open Houses' that they aren't truly interested in (opposed to the spring - when everyone has spring fever and is ITCHING to get out and about). In addition, the holiday months are obviously busy ones - between company parties, family get-togethers, holiday shopping, social happy hours, etc. - only people who are truly interested in your house or property will make the time to see it. And those who do will be serious buyers.
4. Booming Boise = Increased Job Opportunities & Increased Job Relocations
In general, companies tend to relocate employees during the first quarter of the new year. This practically ensures that demand throughout the Boise area (while already VERY high) will remain strong. In addition to this surge of highly motivated buyers, relocation packages often provide credited moving experiences, which can oftentimes help buyers afford higher asking prices. So these buyers are often working with slightly higher budgets and are highly motivated to purchase - both of which can strongly benefit your bottom line.
5. End-of-year Bonuses and Payouts
End-of-year bonuses and payouts can often enable potential buyers to upgrade or purchase their first home (or investment property).
6. Fear of Increased Interest Rates
As a general rule of thumb, rates tend to go up in the spring, which can often result in diminished buying power for potential buyers. To avoid this, many forward-thinking buyers begin looking while they have a low rate locked in. Hence, they are strongly motivated to purchase relatively quickly.
Selling your home in the Boise area during the winter months isn’t just doable but quite possibly an ideal scenario! If you’re interested in exploring whether listing in winter is right for you, simply click here . As your trusted professionals, we would love to provide you with a complimentary and confidential consultation.
