Winter isn’t the season most people picture for selling a house, but plenty of Maryland homes sell between November and February. Life events don’t wait for spring, and the buyers out in cold weather usually have a reason to be. A winter sale just takes a little more planning around the weather and the shorter days. If your house is in or around Hampstead and you’re dealing with a winter sale, see how I buy houses in Hampstead.
I’m Evan Weissman. I buy houses across Maryland all year, including through some icy Carroll County winters. Here’s what changes in winter and how to get ready.
Who buys in winter
There are usually fewer buyers in winter, and fewer competing listings too. The buyers who are looking often have a deadline: a job transfer, a lease ending, a military move, or a growing family. They tend to make decisions instead of browsing.
The holidays can slow things for a few weeks in late December. Many sellers list just before or right after the holidays to catch buyers who want to settle in early in the new year.
Protecting an empty house from the cold
Winter is the most expensive season to own a vacant house. A burst pipe can flood a home in hours and go unnoticed for days. If the house is empty:
- Keep the heat on at a steady, safe temperature, and make sure the fuel supply won’t run out
- Have the heating system serviced before it gets cold
- Know where the main water shutoff is, and consider shutting it off and draining lines if no one will be checking on the house
- Ask someone to check the house regularly, especially after a hard freeze
- Call your insurance agent about vacancy, since many homeowner policies limit coverage when a home sits empty for a long time
My article on vacant house costs goes into more detail.
Snow, ice, and safety
Clear walks, steps, and the driveway before showings and inspections. Keep a bag of ice melt by the door. A buyer who slips on the front steps isn’t going to remember the kitchen. If you’re not nearby, arrange for snow removal ahead of time instead of scrambling after a storm.
Keep the outside lights working, too. With early sunsets, many showings happen after dark.
Showing a house in winter
A few things make a winter showing better:
- Warm the house a bit more than usual before showings
- Turn on every light, and open blinds for whatever daylight there is
- Keep the entry clean and dry, with a mat and a place for wet shoes
- Take photos when the yard and house look good, or use photos from a nicer season if they still reflect the house accurately
- Keep holiday decorations simple so the house itself shows
Inspections in cold weather
Some parts of an inspection are harder in winter. Snow can hide a roof, the grading, and walkways. Many inspectors won’t run central air when it’s cold outside, because it can damage the system, so the buyer may ask for a credit, an escrow, or a later check. Septic inspections and well water tests can still be done, though frozen ground or deep snow can complicate digging.
On the other hand, winter is a good time to see how the heating system performs, whether windows are drafty, and whether ice dams form at the roof edge. Buyers will notice.
Repairs and contractors
Exterior painting, roofing, and concrete work are harder in cold weather, and some contractors slow down for the season. If the house needs outside work, you can price it into the sale, offer a credit, or sell as is. Interior work like painting and flooring can still be done. My as-is selling page explains the as-is option.
Pricing a winter listing
Because fewer buyers are out, a winter listing that’s priced too high can sit, and a house that sits through the holidays starts to look stale by spring. I’d rather see a winter seller price close to recent comparable sales from the start than test a high number and cut it later.
Fewer listings also cut the other way. If your house is one of only a handful in its price range, it may get more attention than it would in a crowded spring market. Ask your agent how many similar homes are listed right now and how fast they’ve been going under contract.
Utilities and the heating fuel question
Many Maryland homes outside town limits heat with oil or propane. If the house is empty, keep an eye on the tank level, or set up automatic delivery so it can’t run dry during a cold snap. At settlement, the contract may call for the buyer to pay for fuel left in the tank, so check what yours says.
Moving in winter
Plan moving day around the forecast, with a backup date if you can. Protect floors from snow and salt, and keep walkways clear for movers. If settlement and moving day are close together, build in a little slack in case of a storm.
Is winter the right time for you?
If your timeline says winter, it can work well. Fewer listings can mean less competition, and serious buyers can mean fewer wasted showings. If you can wait and the house will show much better in spring, waiting might make sense. My article on when is a good time to sell a house in Maryland covers the bigger picture.
Is winter a bad time to sell a house in Maryland?
Not necessarily. There are fewer buyers, but also fewer competing listings, and winter buyers are usually serious.
How do I keep pipes from freezing in an empty house?
Keep the heat on, service the heating system, have someone check the house regularly, and consider shutting off and draining the water if no one will be checking.
Can a home inspection be done in winter?
Yes, though snow can hide some items, and many inspectors won’t run central air in cold weather.
Should I list before or after the holidays?
Many sellers list right before or right after the holidays to reach buyers who want to move early in the new year.
Talk through your situation
If you need to sell this winter and want an honest read on your options, call or text me at (410) 498-7473. I’ll tell you whether listing now or selling directly makes more sense.