Selling Your DC Metro Home During the Winter

We all assume that Spring/Summer is the only time to sell a home. But in the Metro DC market, that isn’t the case. Washington, D.C. is one of the hottest markets in the entire country. In fact, according to RedFin:

  • Homes typically receive 1 offer.
  • Homes sell for around list price and go pending in around 25 days.
  • Hot Homes can sell for about 2% above list price and go pending in around 7 days.
  • Washington DC received an 84 – a Very Competitive Compete Score

Yes, when it comes to DC Metro Real Estate, all year round is fair game. And that includes the winter months. Here are three reasons you can sell your Washington DC home successfully in the winter.

#1 – Home Buyers are shopping online

Remember the old days when the only way to view a home from your home was from a print-out from your Realtor? Not so anymore. Zillow, Trulia, and Redfin rule the roost when it comes to home buying these days. And that’s especially true during the winter months when potential buyers are stuck indoors.

Tip: Make sure you use high-quality photos, including photos of the exterior in all seasons. An experienced Realtor can not only help you with professional photography, but also with staging the home for a warm and welcoming environment.

#2 – You’ve got the market to yourself

We all know that DC Metro real estate market can be very competitive in the spring and summer months, thus the beauty of selling during “off season.” Imagine that sea of homes in the Zillow results dwindling down to a small handful, with yours at the top of somebody’s list.

#3 – Washington DC is BEAUTIFUL at the holidays…and your home should be too

With daytime highs averaging in the low 50s in December, Washington DC can be quite comfortable compared to other parts of the country in winter. Not to mention the warmth that the holidays bring to the Metro DC area — from the National Christmas Tree to the light maze at Nationals Park.

If you’re listing your home during the holidays, consider some tasteful holiday lighting, a wreath on the front door, evergreen topiaries, a layer of fresh mulch, and maybe even some path lighting or spotlights. Oh! And don’t forget — treats like coffee and hot cocoa go a long way with potential buyers on a cold winter day.

If you’re looking for an experienced Realtor to sell your home this winter, The Estridge Group would love to be considered. We look forward to hearing from you.