Pros/Cons to Buying or Selling in Fall/Winter

Here’s why it’s not a bad idea to buy or sell in the fall or winter months.

It’s that time of year; we’re starting to feel the weather turn a little, and leaves are beginning to change as we head into fall. Around this time, we always get this question: “Is it a good idea to buy or sell in the fall or winter?”

Let’s begin with buyers: If you’re considering buying in the fall or winter, you’ll contend with less competition because there are fewer buyers out making bids on homes. On the other hand, there will be fewer homes for sale, but you could find a good deal. We also see what’s called “winter storm shopping.” You could be out looking for homes in the wintertime when a bundle of snowfalls.

You may end up getting a great deal on a home because you’re the only one who made it to the house that weekend. You may also want to strike before the spring price increases. Here in Colorado, we always see prices rise a little in the spring, so if you’re shopping in the fall or winter, you could get a better deal. Here’s a big bonus feature we keep track of: Not all of the homes for sale in the summer end up selling. If a listing expires, those sellers might still be interested in selling in the fall or winter. We keep track of all the homes that don’t sell and keep a “hidden inventory” list.

“Colorado winters are mild, so don’t let the snow and ice deter you from making a move.”

Switching gears to sellers: Some of the same principles apply. In the fall and winter, there’s less competition because there are fewer homes for sale to compete with yours; however, there are fewer buyers out shopping for houses. Nevertheless, you may find a few buyers who are holiday motivated, meaning they want to get into their new property before Thanksgiving or Christmas, so they could be willing to make an excellent offer.

It’s not detrimental to sell in the fall or winter— we can still get you top dollar. However, if you don’t need to sell, don’t put yourself through it during the holiday season when things are busy. We can approach your sale in the spring and hit the ground running when the weather is better.

Both buyers and sellers should remember that Colorado winters are mild, so don’t let the snow and ice deter you from making a move. Our team can help you no matter what the weather’s doing.

Give us a call or send an email if you want us to check our hidden inventory list and see if any homes match your criteria or if you’re interested in selling and want your home valued. We would love to help you.