Nobody buys or sells a home in the winter, right? The numbers tell a different story.

A large percentage of the property purchased by home buyers is during the coldest months of the year. As 2019 comes to a close, many are making plans for a new year and prepping for their next move. That means that even if you live in the colder north, homes are still getting bought and sold despite icy roads and snow-covered roofs.

All of these factors beg the question: Is winter a good time to sell your house?

Research shows that March is a popular month for buyers to close on their purchase, with April and May following. Therefore, now is the best time to get a CMA and start the home selling process. 

Though the timeline varies, there are several reasons you'd want to start selling this winter. 

Statistics

Here are a few surprising facts about selling during the winter season.  

Almost one million homes were sold in the U.S. last winter (973,000, to be exact, from December 2018 to February 2019). In perspective, that means every five (19%) of the homes that were sold in the 12-month period between September 2018 and August 2019 closed when temperatures plunged. 

So, if you're wondering if you should put off buying or selling a home until Spring, why wait? If the numbers weren't enough, there are some practical advantages to buying or selling while the snow is flying. 

The Internet 

You probably already know that most buyers go online to search for homes, no matter what the temperature is outside. In fact, nearly all buyers (93%) used the internet to search for properties. The instant access to property listings has had an impact on the regular season's buyers look for homes. 

While Spring is still the hottest home-buying season, serious home buyers are always on the lookout—checking the latest listings during any free moments throughout the day. 

Even though the weather might prohibit buyers from getting out and about, it doesn't stop home buyers from shopping.

More Visibility

Other sellers will flood the market when warmer months come just due to convenience. Your listing will have much more competition. 

During winter months there's a limited number of sellers on the market. In 2018, 210,000 homes dropped off the market between November to December.

If that pattern repeats this year, you'll have less competition on the market. Buyers have fewer homes to choose from, which means you could sell your house faster and at a better price.

Buyers Mean Business

Winter buyers are typically working against a deadline, whether it's an expiring lease, relocation, or any need vs. want situation.

If a buyer is trudging around in freezing weather or breaking away from their holiday schedule to look at your home, they must be serious about buying. 

Time Off

You may think people are less likely to see your home amid their hectic holiday schedules. That can definitely be true. However, most people also have more time off around the holidays. 

More time translates to more browsing Zillow, Craigslist, or local map search. Consider making the most of this holiday season. 

Tax Breaks 

Winter home buyers may also be motivated to capture the tax benefits of buying a home before the year ends. 

Tax benefits could make a potential home buyer act fast to get a house bought and closed. If you're selling your home and buying another, the benefit is two-fold. 

Home buyers can write off some of the expenses of their home purchase on their taxes. If it's been a particularly hard year, a new homeowner can make purchases tax-deductible in the following ways:

• Mortgage interest

• Private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums

• Real estate taxes

Tips for Selling During Winter

Nothing says welcome home as much as walking out of the cold into a warm house. If you've decided to sell this winter, here are a few tips to help attract the right buyer:

•  If you're selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they are not overwhelming. You're trying to display the house, not the holiday. 

• Winter days are short, and buyers will stop by at various hours. Be prepared to light the home's exterior with proper lighting. 

• If you're preparing to list online, make sure there are ample pictures of the home in Summer.  Snow does not help a buyer when looking at exterior shots of the home. 

• Provide details of the outside when they are not visible in winter. 

Hopefully, these tips will help you get ready to sell this winter. If you're curious about other options for buying and selling, please check out the rest of our site.