There are few real-estate truisms better known than the one about spring being the best time to sell a house. The reason it’s so widely known is that it is, for the most part, totally true. For a multitude of reasons, the housing market does heat up every spring. But does that automatically mean it slows down every winter, as is commonly assumed? Well, according to one study, no. In fact, an analysis found that, not only wasn’t winter the slowest time of the year, it was the next best thing to selling in spring. For example, among homes listed in spring, 18.7 percent sold for more than their asking price. In winter, 17.5 percent sold above asking. Additionally, 46.2 percent of homes listed in winter sold within 30 days – just 1.8 percent fewer than did in spring. So what accounts for winter’s unexpected popularity? Well, weather doesn’t seem to have anything to do with it. The analysis found the statistics pretty consistent from coast to coast – whether they looked at sunny California or snow belt states like Michigan. It may just be that buyers at that time of year are more motivated to move quickly and, since there are fewer sellers listing in winter, there is less competition for their attention. Whatever the reason, it may be time to reconsider your seasonal assumptions about the real-estate market. More here.
