Selling your home in the winter? Many people may try to tell you it’s a bad idea, but attorney Ben Weaver doesn’t think so! Selling a home in winter may seem daunting, but it’s actually a great time to put your home on the market.
While many people think that spring and summer are the best time to sell, there are some distinct advantages to selling in the winter. For one, there’s less competition on the market, which means that your home is more likely to stand out. Additionally, buyers who are looking in the winter tend to be more serious, which means that you’re less likely to have to deal with tire-kickers or people who are just browsing.
While the dynamics of the winter real estate market may be a little different, they certainly are not impossible to navigate. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for selling your home in the winter, so that you can make the most of this season and get your home sold quickly…and for a great return on investment!
The Winter Real Estate Market in 2023
The U.S. real estate market is facing high mortgage rates. Additionally, the number of homes listed for sale is lower this year than last year. Despite this news, there is still hope on the horizon for buyers and sellers!
Home prices are expected to decrease a little this winter due to the high mortgage rates. That allows buyers to buy at lower prices and before the mortgage rates get hiked eleven higher. Sellers too are benefiting from lower inventory. Since buyers have fewer options and only serious buyers are house-hunting, sellers can sell their homes quicker and on their terms! Read on to learn more…
Top Advantages of Selling Your House in the Winter
Less Competition
The conventional idea is to sell your home in the summer. Hence, there’s less competition when you list your home for sale in the chilly Illinois winter. Fewer listings mean your house will stand out and catch buyer’s attention much easier than in a cluttered market!
Motivated Buyers
Similar to sellers, buyers also prefer the spring and summer over winter. Hence, only serious and motivated buyers are on the hunt for new homes in winter. For sellers, this means less time wasted catering to non-serious buyers and quicker sales!
Cozy Home Interiors
The chilly air outside makes your home the perfect cozy haven for potential buyers. This is your chance to enhance the warmth of your home through soft lighting and heating, making it more desirable for buyers.
Tax Benefits
Don’t forget, there are tax benefits for buyers closing real estate deals at the end of the year. Who doesn’t love a tax break?
Easier Negotiations and Closing
With fewer (and more serious) buyers on the market, sellers benefit when it comes to making a deal and closing. These buyers are going to be more willing to agree to the seller’s terms, thus moving the contract along smoothly!
10 Secrets for Selling Your Home in the Winter
If you have decided to sell your home this upcoming winter season, attorney Ben Weaver is here to help with a few tips to help you make it a successful sale experience…
1. Enhance Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is important all year round but becomes even more critical in winter. When listing and staging your home, you must ensure that your porch, driveway, and entrance are clear of snow. Set up your porch with decorations and warm lights to make your house look more welcoming. Painting your front door also gives a fresh look to your home.
2. Use Natural Light
Well-lit homes look more welcoming and are always better received. Open the blinds and curtains to let in natural light! Winter months are dark as it is, try to keep things feeling light and bright.
3. Ensure Comfort
Winters can get very cold in Illinois, but your home needs to be extremely warm and cozy for potential buyers when they visit. Make sure your thermostat is set to an inviting temperature!
4. Seasonal Home Staging
Staging your home helps you highlight its best features and enhance its style and functionality. Keeping in line with the winter season, use warm colors and earthy textures to make the home look more inviting. Think cookies and candles!
5. Professional Photography
Use professional photography when listing your home. Thoroughly clean your property and stage it for the perfect, high-quality photos. These photos will cast a good first impression on potential buyers, motivating them to purchase!
6. Marketing Strategy
To ensure your home gets sold quickly, work with an experienced real estate agent in your area. They will help craft an enticing sales strategy and aggressive online marketing to target the right buyers!
7. Price Competitively
Your home’s list price needs to be competitive with other homes in the area. Research the local market and prices in your area and consult your real estate team before setting a reasonable price for your property.
8. Set Flexible Viewing Times
To be more attractive to buyers, be flexible and adapt viewing times to buyers’ schedules. This will get you more house visits and potential offers. Try to be as accommodating as possible!
9. Highlight Energy Efficiency
People are increasingly aware of their footprint and want to minimize it. An energy-efficient home is preferred by several buyers and this is one feature you can emphasize on. Winter buyers often look for energy savings and lower utility bills.
10. Partner with an Attorney
Real estate closings can be complicated when it comes to managing inspections, negotiations, terms, etc. Counter all legal troubles by working with an experienced real estate attorney. Not only will the 23 Legal team help you deal with common real estate contract issues, but we’ll also ensure you get the best deal for your home and aid in reviewing legal jargon!
Selling Your Property with Attorney Ben Weaver
Selling your home is not a simple transaction. It requires negotiations, strategy, and lots of legal and regulatory paperwork. If you are looking to make a profitable sale, you need to strategize with the right team on your side. A real estate attorney can help you do just that!
At 23 Legal, we help our clients with all their real estate goals. Whether you’re working on buying or selling your property, managing your estate, or setting up trusts, Ben Weaver is here to guide every client in making informed decisions. Not only will our expert team tackle all the legal requirements, but we aim to provide solutions that meet your present and future lifestyle needs.
If you’re searching for a reliable, trustworthy real estate attorney, look no further than 23 Legal. Connect with us today to work with Chicagoland’s 5-star real estate lawyer!
Ready to sell your house this winter? We can help!
Accomplish your real estate goals with 23 Legal: (847) 447-6004
Why Choose 23 Legal
23 Legal offers Real Estate and Estate Planning legal services to individuals, families, community associations and small business owners throughout Chicagoland. We know how intimidating “the law” can be. In fact, when most people think of law offices, they think of stuffy leather chairs, huge wooden desks and pompous lawyers who charge outrageous fees. That’s not us! We believe in 1-to-1; the same lawyer should work with you all the way through. Whether you have an estate planning issue, family trust concern, or you have a legal problem in regard to a new home, business, real estate or remodel, you need a lawyer who cares. That’s where Ben comes in! We are great listeners; more than that, we are lawyers who believe that our clients always come first.
