Buying, selling and moving in winter brings a unique set of challenges. As with any move, there are pros and cons to consider – done well, winter can be an excellent time to move. With less competition over homes and moving companies, you can come out ahead and move your family smoothly amidst the snow and ice.

Benefits of Buying a Home in Winter

Less Competition

Many homebuyers wait until spring to start their search. Getting a jump on things and looking for a new house in winter means you may face less competition when placing an offer. People always need to move, whether for work or personal reasons, and sometimes sellers can’t wait until spring. If you start your search early, you may find that perfect home for you and your family before anyone knows it’s listed!

Faster Closing Dates

Winter sales often have faster closing dates. People selling their homes in winter are often motivated to sell quickly. And if you are buying from a motivated seller with a quick timeline, you can get into your new house earlier than expected.

Easier to Book Moving Companies

While buying a home and moving in winter is becoming more popular, it’s still considered the off-season for real estate. Because moving companies aren’t as busy, you can usually secure your preferred date with no issues and may even be able to save some money!

Opportunity to Save Money

Less competition means fewer bidding wars over properties. If you buy a home in winter, you might have the chance to negotiate a better price than you would when more buyers are in the market.

Cons to Buying a Home in Winter

Less inventory

The flipside of fewer buyers on the market is that there are also generally fewer sellers. You may not have as much inventory to choose from. But it only takes one perfect home to come along.

Inspection Challenges

Some inspections can be challenging due to ice, snow, and frozen ground (such as a septic inspection). Winter conditions can also hide potential problems with the foundation or roof. Be sure to thoroughly vet your inspector and find someone who regularly does winter home inspections.

Inclement Weather

This con to moving in winter is hit or miss – you can also move on a stormy, rainy day in spring or fall. Snow and ice can add extra challenges to your move and possibly cause delays, so check the forecast and plan carefully.

Fewer Daylight Hours

If you have a flexible schedule and can go house hunting during the day, this one may not be a con for you. Viewing houses only at night can mean missing issues with the exterior and doesn’t give you a good sense of curb appeal or how much natural light comes in during the day.  Aim to see the house once during the day before placing an offer.

Disrupted School Year

If you have school-aged children, moving in winter can disrupt their school year. This may be fine if you are moving within the catchment area, but it can be an extra challenge for those moving further away.

Tips for Buying a Home in Winter

• Ensure all your utilities are hooked up before you move in – moving into a house with no heat in a Canadian winter is no fun!
• Add snow removal into your plan – arrange for someone to clear your driveway on moving day so you don’t have to shovel once you and the movers arrive.
• Research nearby amenities in your new community before moving day – you may not want to go out and explore as much as you would in the summer months. Knowing where everything is before you move in will help you to acclimate better. 
• Hire professional movers – this is something we always recommend for reducing stress and your workload, but even more so in winter when icy conditions make everything more challenging (including the risk of falling or damaging your property)
• Stock up on supplies like salt and sand, and keep an eye on the weather forecast (while it may not be possible to reschedule, some aspects of your move may be done on a different day to make things easier)
• Give yourself extra time for delays – expect everything to take slightly longer than in the warmer months.
• Bring along an overnight bag, including extra winter supplies for the drive.
• Schedule your move as early in the day as possible to ensure you’re done before night falls.
• Protect your floors and entryways with towels, cardboard, or tarps on the floor – lots of slushy, icy mess will be tracked into your home.
• Keep an eye on cold-sensitive items and keep them in your car or take them up on a separate trip.

Benefits to Selling Your Home in Winter

Motivated Buyers

People searching for a home in winter are generally eager to move and are looking for an easy sale and quick closing date. You’ll have fewer ‘tire-kickers’ at showings and open houses and will meet more serious buyers.

Less competition

There are usually fewer homes on the market in winter, meaning you will have less competition when you list. And less competition usually leads to a quicker sale.

Showcase Energy Efficiency

Winter is the perfect time to highlight an energy-efficient home. Energy efficiency is more important than ever to homebuyers and can be a huge plus when selling your home.

Cons of Selling Your Home in Winter

Fewer Buyers

Fewer buyers on the market may mean it takes longer to sell your home. On the flip side, the buyers searching in winter are motivated to buy – and it only takes one!

Staging Concerns

Staging your home in winter can be more challenging, especially when it comes to curb appeal. However, you can turn your house into a cozy winter wonderland with a few winter staging tips.

Disruption from Showings

When the weather is nice, it’s easier to head out with the kids and dog and walk to the park. Winter showings require more planning to vacate the property.

Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter

• When buying, selling and moving in winter, curb appeal matters! Even if you can’t highlight your beautiful gardens and well-maintained grass, you still need to put effort into your curb appeal. Keep walkways well shovelled and salted, and light up your house well so buyers can see the exterior.
• Professional photos are even more critical in winter with less natural light. Experienced photographers know how to play with light and editing to make your home look its best.
• Price your home correctly. This is one of the main perks of working with a real estate agent over doing a private sale. We are immersed in the market and see what homes sell for which prices. We can offer advice to help you find that sweet spot – where you merge profit with a quick sale.  
• Keep it cozy. Ensure your home is at a comfortable temperature and aim to create a warm and cozy interior that feels like an escape from the wintery outdoors.

Buying, selling and moving in winter can pose unique challenges, but it also offers its own benefits. Only you know whether moving in winter is right for you – but done well, you can get into your new home in time to welcome spring!