Listing in December?

02/12/2007

It’s December and here is the number one question I’m asked at this time of year, “Is now a good time to list or should I wait until spring”? The answer is simple. If you are going to be realistic about your price, you should plan to list your home 60 to 90 days ahead of the time you want to move. However if you chose not to be realistic about your price, it makes no difference when you list because with the current market conditions as they are, your home won’t sell anyway.

For those of you serious about selling, the only timing that matters is your timing. What I mean by that is, today is no better a time than tomorrow or next week or next month or next spring. The reason lies in the competition factor. You see, if you wait until spring to list your home, because you think March/April is traditionally the best time to sell, many others will agree with you. And here in lies the problem – most Sellers live by that same, “List in the Spring” philosophy and the result is high competition. Granted there is an abundance of Buyers to match.

Conversely, listing in what is considered an, “Off-Peak” time like December or January, puts you and a handful of others on the playing field all by yourselves. Talk about stacking the odds in your favor. Less competition for you and less choice for the Buyer means that your home will more easily stand out in the crowd - wait a minute, there is no crowd, just a few listings and a few anxious Buyers – sweat! One thing about wintertime Buyers, they’re serious – why else would they be buying in the winter! And generally speaking, if you sell during the winter, your moving in the spring which gives you plenty of time to set yourself up for an enjoyable summer in your new digs.

So realistically, from a timing point of view, the only thing that matters is when you want to move. It’s true winter Sellers have fewer Buyers looking at their homes, but at the same time enjoy a selling environment practically void of competition. Spring Sellers on the other hand, have their listings exposed to a large pool of Buyers but are forced to accept the significant amounts of competitions that surround them. The result is the same no matter when you list. Price it right and you’ll be moving 60-90 days from when you listed. Price it wrong and you’ll be staying put regardless of timing!

Till next month this is Rob Thompson saying, “Good Luck and Good Selling!”

Rob Thompson has been helping families make the right real estate decisions since 1985 and continues to do so with his team of professionals in the communities of the 416 and 31 corridors.

Return to Real Estate News