What are the hardest months to sell a Colorado Springs house? If you’re planning your home sale and have some flexibility about when to list, it’s important to know what months to avoid. Understanding the hardest months to sell can help you make more informed decisions about when to enter the housing market, so you can earn top dollar for your home.
In this post, our team at Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Barb Has the Buyers Team will discuss why winter is the most challenging time to sell your house. We’ll also share some tips to help you navigate winter sales successfully.
Key Takeaways:
- Across all housing markets nationwide, winter is generally the most difficult time to sell a house. Colorado is no exception– November through February are the hardest months for home sales.
- Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make it difficult for buyers to leave their homes and travel for showings and open houses.
- Selling in winter is possible if you price your home accurately, prepare your home properly, and accommodate buyers’ schedules.
What Are the Hardest Months to Sell a House?
Across all housing markets nationwide, winter is generally the most difficult time to sell a house. Colorado is no exception– November through February are the hardest months to sell a Colorado Springs house.
These months are the hardest for a few reasons:
- Cold Weather: Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make it difficult for buyers to leave their homes and travel for showings and open houses.
- Home Damage: Tough weather conditions can also cause damage to properties, making it harder to maintain a home’s condition while it’s listed on the market. Shoveling snow, de-icing walkways, and keeping a home warm add extra work.
- Shorter Daylight Hours: Winter also comes with shorter daylight hours. Buyers are usually not motivated to attend showings and open houses after work when it’s dark outside.
- Financial Considerations: Many buyers have financial constraints during winter months due to holiday spending and tax planning. This results in fewer buyers looking to make a financial investment as significant as buying a home.
- Inventory Levels: Many sellers choose not to sell in winter, which means there is less inventory for buyers to choose from. Many buyers wait until spring or summer to enter the market, when there’s more housing options to choose from.
- School Schedules: Families with children don’t usually move in winter because it’s in the middle of the school year. School schedules are one reason why buyers typically wait until summer to move, so they can find their new home and get settled before the next school year begins.
- Holiday Activities: In December, many buyers are busy with the holidays and don’t have time to go through the home-buying process.
Keep in mind that market conditions depend on a variety of factors and can change constantly. For this reason, it’s important to reach out to a Colorado Springs realtor before you want to sell to learn what the current housing market conditions are like at that time.
Sell a Colorado Springs House in Winter – 6 Tips For Success
Of course, homes in Colorado Springs still sell year-round. Selling in winter is possible if you price your home accurately, prepare your home properly, and accommodate buyers’ schedules. Some tips for a successful sale are:
- Price Accurately: Make sure your home is based on current market conditions and comparable sales data. If the winter season is especially slow, it can also be a good idea to price slightly lower than other homes to attract more buyer attention.
- Maintain Curb Appeal: Keep snow and ice off of all walkways and driveways and take care of any damage caused by winter storms. In addition, consider adding some outdoor lighting and minimal decorations, such as a wreath on the door, to take advantage of the holiday season.
- Emphasize Warmth When Staging: Emphasize warmth and coziness when staging your home to contrast the harsh winter weather outside. Consider adding extra blankets, rugs, and throw pillows, and be sure to maximize natural light as much as possible. Since it gets dark earlier, it can be a good idea to add some extra lighting fixtures.
- Focus on Winter Features: Highlight the features of your home that appeal to buyers during winter months, such as the fireplace, heated floors, updated insulation, and energy-efficient systems that can help save money on heating.
- Gather Maintenance Records: Keep all the documents related to your home’s maintenance history on hand. Furnace maintenance records and roof inspections may be of particular interest to buyers wondering if the home is sturdily built and can stand up to extreme winter weather.
- Make it Easy For Buyers to View: Accommodate buyers’ schedules by offering showings during weekends and evenings, or whenever is most convenient. In particular, virtual tours or video walkthroughs can be a great way to reach buyers during the winter months.
Sell a Colorado Springs House in Winter with Barb Schlinker
Above all, a successful winter sale depends on working with an experienced realtor who has a proven track record. At Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Barb Has the Buyers Team, Barb Schlinker and our entire team have been in the real estate business for 27 years.
We’ve helped many clients sell their houses during the winter months and have been able to get them sold fast and for top dollar. One reason we’re able to accomplish this is our Guaranteed Sale Program, which guarantees the sale of your home within your timeframe and for the best possible price.
To learn more about working with us to sell a house in Colorado Springs, call 719-301-1802 or fill out the form on this page. Take the first step to sell your house fast today!
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