The first day of spring is upon us, even if Mother Nature seems slow to take a hint this year. Soon the land will be overrun by birdsong and the first tentative buds of green will burst through the earth. Also bursting through the earth: the wooden stakes of “for sale” signs. March marks the beginning of the home buying season, making this crunch time for waffling homeowners to decide whether they want to sell.
Were you aware that the time of year has an impact on home sales? Seasonal trends are a real thing, and understanding how they work is critical for savvy sellers. Why is spring so important? Well, first of all, it’s a better time to physically be outdoors and browsing homes. Stomping around in the snow any more than necessary is unappealing - and, if you buy in the winter, you’ll be moving in during the winter. For many, the very idea triggers a heartfelt “no, thank you!"
Spring also marks the end of the slowest home selling season. Not only is the winter cold and unaccomodating of open houses and driving around promising neighborhoods, but it is also rife with significant holidays. Few people are comfortable with displacing their family around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the strenuous footwork of home shopping becomes a low priority when there are presents to wrap and cookies to bake. It’s only around mid-March that the torpor of the holidays finally wears off completely.
May and June are actually the high point of the selling season. For families with children, the end of the school year is optimal for buying - the kids won’t face rezoning in the midst of the academic year, and there is plenty of time for everyone to get settled in and adjusted before classes start again in the fall. Autumn itself can be iffy. Parents won’t be keen to relocate, but those debating a move in the near future may opt for action with the year’s end looming.
Spring is a time for new beginnings, and this is a great time to sell your home! Consider this the official starting bell: the annual house hunt begins now!
