It is a fact that most houses are sold between March and November. Does that mean you have to take your house off the market during December, January and February? Lots of people do, which adds to the fact that fewer houses sell during the winter. There are several reasons why sellers feel the need to take their home off the market in the winter. One, of course, is the perception that it just won’t sell. Another reason is that vendors are having fun at home or are too busy during these months and don’t want to “bother” with the displays. Let’s see if the statistics support these reasons for not having your home on the market.

During the last 5 years (2003-2007) in the Cincinnati market, 1,300-1,700 single-family residences (new and existing homes and condominiums) were sold each month in December, January, and February. Not bad. In June, July and August, the best months of these years, between 2,500 and 3,200 single-family homes were sold monthly, which is almost double. Additionally, the total inventory of homes and condos on the market drops 20% during the winter months. This means that in the worst months more than half of the sales are made compared to the best months, with only 80% of the inventory. So the odds of a sale are lower in the winter months, but still too good to ignore. now we know that plus than half of the sales of the best months are generated in winter, but with a lot less of half the shows. Why? In general, winter “lookouts” are more serious buyers than curious summer “lookouts.” So even though the odds of a winter sale are less than summer as a whole, the odds of a particular winter display actually generating a sale are greater! The bottom line is that you never know when you’ll be looking for the right buyer for your home. If your home is off the market, you have no chance of getting a sale. If your home is on the market during the worst three months of the year, you yet they have about a 70% chance of getting a sale compared to the best three months of the year. There are births, divorces, deaths, relocations, and other reasons people move throughout the year. Now that we know your home can easily sell during the winter months, what about the inconvenience of your busy vacation schedule? There will be fewer presentations, but the buyers are more serious. If you are at parties, your home can still be shown. If the party is at your house or it is a holiday, you can ask the buyer to see the house at another time. Sure, there’s a small chance the buyer won’t be able to reschedule, but at least you know who’s interested and your agent will contact the buyer or buyer’s agent later. If your house is not on the market, the buyer will not know that your house is for sale. You lose a potential buyer and you could end up buying your neighbor’s house. Some potential buyers won’t schedule a showing during the holidays, but will continue to search the Internet for homes they want to see later. Shouldn’t they find your home there? I’d rather turn down a showing than never know someone interested is looking at my house. The odds are much better than the Ohio Lottery, but you still have to play to win!