I’ve been in this industry a long time and I’ve seen house prices go up, I’ve seen them go down, I’ve seen the economy shoot up, and I saw it come crashing down. But one thing that has been consistent over the last decade and a half has been the questions around this time of year from clients wondering if they should wait until spring to sell their home.

There is a very common belief that the only time to sell is the spring, because that is when you will get the best value. And while there is some merit in that, there is another side to that story. First, you need to think about where you are planning to move. If you will be buying another house, then what impact will there be on your next home purchase? If you are upgrading, then it could cost you more money to wait.

But you also want to think about the buyers. When there are many houses available just like yours, you are going to find picky buyers who demand a lot. In the winter, you are generally dealing with buyers who are buying for a reason. Meaning they are less likely to negotiate as hard, putting you in a great position if you don’t need to sell; you can be selective and find the right buyer.

So are you likely to get more if you sell in the spring? Probably, but the difference isn’t always as pronounced as people make it out to be. And you need to ask what you’re giving up for those few extra dollars, both in negotiation headaches and in future costs on another home.

If you have any questions about buying or selling a home here in Michigan, please contact me. If you have anything to add about selling a house in the winter, please leave a comment.