Santa Ynez Valley June Real Estat Statistics

The Best Time of Year to List Your Home-Or Buy A New One!

I hear it every year.  I/we are going to list our home in the spring, I/we're going to wait. Sounds logical.  I mean, the weather's better, the holidays are over and people's hectic lives of the last year are slowing down to a manageable pace.  Start anew like a blooming bulb.  While I don't disagree, the spring is a fabulous time to list your home.  It all points to a great time to attract buyers right?  Statistically speaking-the spring is a busier time, it's when buyers begin to emerge from their winter slumber and start to forage for a new home.  This is a scenario that plays out every year, in nearly every part of the country.  

via GIPHY

Patience is a virtue as they say.  I don't disparage anyone who has patience.  It is one of the best virtues to behold.  But, when it comes to listing your home (or buying for that matter) I'd like to point out a few things, that may change your mind about being patient.  

The spring is a lovely time of year to list-the problem with this is that is exactly what everyone else says.  There are fewer homes listed in the winter, and for many reasons.  It's cold, it gets darker earlier, the yards are usually in need of sprucing up, flowers have died and in some cases, there is just too much snow.  BUT, when you list your home near the end of the year, there are a couple advantages that many people don't realize.  

One of the biggest- your competition is scarce.  Why list in the spring-with every other person in your neighborhood when you can list a few months early and be the only home on the market?  I'm not advocating throw it on the market for some unrealistic price because there isn't competition, but I am pointing out, that there will be far less competition at this time of year.  This also works for buyers. When looking in the spring, many times if you don't make an offer, someone else will.  Then you have to move on.  This environment leaves very little time to think about one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make.  While the winter months may have less on the market, they slower pace works to your advantage.

'But there aren't any buyers this time of year', you say.  Well, as it turns out-in our area, there are.  They are fewer, but those few who are looking for a home during this time are a select buyer pool.  They are buyers who are serious and have a need to buy. Many times they are moving for a job, family or retirement, these all drive the serious buyer to move.  Here, in Southern California, we live in an area where there are many vacation and second homes.  Many times, there is no urgency to buy.  So, with all due respect, many people looking in the spring or summer months tend to be looky-loos.  When you list in the winter months-you usually end up with buyers who are serious, qualified and ready to purchase.  Because, lets face it, who wants to move over the hectic Holidays?  This is another great reason for buyers to look over the winter months as well.  Just like buyers, sellers are less interested in moving in the winter.  So, while you may not have the large pool of homes to view, the ones you are viewing are really there to sell.  Many home sellers, selling their vacation or second homes are in no rush to sell, so they oftentimes pull their homes from the market in the winter, and relist in the spring.  Sellers on the market in the winter, are serious.  This usually turns out to be a benefit for both buyers and sellers.

One more benefit many people don't realize is that a home that is decorated for the holidays is festive, happy and inviting.  Many people get a happy feeling from entering a home all decked out, regardless of the holiday.  

In the very start of my real estate career, I had a manager tell me the only reason real estate is slow in the winter, is because the agents take the time off.  While it seemed crazy at the time, I found out that for me it was true.  Historically, my busiest time of year was the winter.  I have signed many contracts seated at tables surrounded by Holiday Decorations or been late to end of the year parties because I was with clients.  


I'm not trying to get you to list today, but my hope is for you to consider not waiting for the 'perfect' conditions, you may be surprised at the results.