Should You List Your Home in the Winter?

When it comes to listing your home for sale, the old adage applies: Timing is everything. Each year at this time, we get many questions about whether a client should list their home now to catch the tail end of the year’s market or if they should wait until the spring.

While we can sell your home in any season, there are some distinct advantages to holding off into early 2021 to bring your home to market:

1. Real estate is highly seasonal. According to statistics provided by the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), the Ottawa market has some predictable peaks and valleys—with effects from COVID-19 making 2020 a notable exception. Over 40% of sales each year happen in the spring months, making this the prime moment to sell. Historically, we see another uptick in the fall, with things slowing down during summer and winter.

2. When will your home look its best? For most homeowners, the dead of winter is not when their property is best showcased. Without being able to truly take in a home’s landscaping, outdoor space, and street presence, a potential buyer may be missing out on some of the home’s most enviable qualities.

3. An ideal moving date. While this is only a consideration for some, those with children may want to work around the school year. Selling your home in spring so you can move over the summer ahead of school starting again in September is an ideal timeline when you have kids to account for.

While our marketing and concierge services are designed to maximize the value of your home at any time of year, we would be happy to discuss timing with you if you are considering a move. This is the season to put together a plan to help you make the most of your opportunity. We look forward to meeting with you!