Why is January a Good Time To List Your House?

If you are in the mood to sell your Nanaimo house, doing so in winter can actually lead to really great results. Unfortunately, many people assume incorrectly that real estate in Nanaimo does not sell in winter. In fact, it may be easier to sell your home in the January-March time frame than in July. January turns out to be a fantastic time to list your house, and winter in general is coming to be accepted as a good time. When it comes to selling your home, most sellers have been warned to be wary of winter as spring is considered king when it comes to the best time to sell your home.

1.Less competition

In January, there is generally not a lot of new listings hitting the market meaning you will face less competition from other sellers. Less competition means your home will be viewed by serious buyers. People who are looking at listings around this time will probably be serious buyers. This could indicate a higher chance for your house to be seen by potential buyers in an undersupplied market. Unlike other peak times of the year, it should be easier to make your property stand out in January. Instead of competing with many similar properties, your home will stand out amongst the pack. Home buyers at this time of year are often also more serious about getting their home bought and are ready to make an offer. This means less likelihood of non-productive viewings. Spring is renowned as the best time of year to sell, but this reputation means the season has the highest number of listings, resulting in your property facing more competition.

2. New Year’s Resolutions

January is the time of year when people take stock of what they want to achieve in the next year and set resolutions. Often these goals can include buying a new home or investment. Over the summer holidays, people who are thinking of purchasing have had the time to research and are now transitioning into serious, eager buyers. Selling a house in January puts your property in front of motivated buyers, who are often back at work scrolling the property market.

3. Lack of inventory on the market

Buyers are desperate to purchase before the holidays, so a lot of inventory is cleared prior to Christmas. This means when January rolls around there are very few listings, increasing the chance your property will be seen by buyers. Your listed property will be likely to achieve the successful results you want in a relatively empty market.

Tips for a successful winter home sale:

• Have summer photographs of your home available to show prospective buyers.
• Keep the driveway and walkways clear of snow and ice.
• Make it cozy for the buyer. Make it a welcome respite for the buyers.
• Turn up the heat prior to showings – when possible, turn on the fireplace to add ambiance.
• Bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies to fill your house with a welcoming, feel-good aroma.
• Encourage buyers to linger longer by leaving soft jazz or classical music playing in the background.
• Prepare a ‘take-away’ list for buyers – highlighting the wonderful winter activities in your area.

Connect with a good Nanaimo real-estate agent to get a top-rated, full-service agent who knows your area and market, and will help you get a great price and save thousands on commission.