Is It a Bad Idea to List Your House in Winter?

As I’m getting ready to cover a colleague’s open house this weekend in Dedham — a hot market — it got me thinking about a question I hear from homeowners every winter:

Is it a bad idea to list your house in winter?

The honest answer: it depends — and the type of property you own matters more than the season itself.

The winter listing myth (and where it breaks down)

The idea that winter is “dead season” for real estate is outdated. Yes, there are fewer listings and fewer casual buyers. But what remains is a more serious pool of demand — and in certain segments, that actually works in a seller’s favor.

What I’ve been seeing lately reinforces that.

From a boots-on-the-ground perspective, some open houses are pulling COVID-era-like traffic, and bidding wars are back on well-located homes that are priced strategically. That’s not happening everywhere — but it is happening in the right situations.

Why property type matters in winter

Condos and townhouses

If you own a condo or townhouse, winter can be a particularly strong window to list.

Why?

• Inventory in this segment is often extremely tight in winter

• Many buyers are first-timers or downsizers who don’t want to wait until spring

• Shared maintenance and lower exterior responsibilities make winter condition less of a concern

  
  

With fewer competing listings, a well-priced condo can stand out quickly — sometimes more than it would in a crowded spring market.

Single-family homes

Single-family homes can absolutely sell in winter, but success tends to be more location- and price-sensitive.

Homes that perform best in winter usually have:

• Strong commuter access or walkability

• Solid layouts that photograph and show well

• Pricing that reflects current demand, not spring optimism

  
  

This is where we’re seeing the return of multiple-offer situations — not because buyers are reckless, but because good homes are scarce.

Homes that may benefit from waiting

Not every property is a winter winner.

If a home:

• Needs exterior work best showcased in warmer months

• Relies heavily on landscaping or outdoor living space

• Is priced optimistically without flexibility

  
  

Then waiting for spring may make sense. Winter exposes pricing mistakes faster.

The biggest factor: pricing strategy

Winter buyers are serious — but they are also informed.

The listings that are winning right now are:

• priced at (or slightly ahead of) the market

• positioned to attract multiple buyers early

• not “testing the waters"

  
  

When those pieces align, winter listings can move fast — and sometimes at terms sellers don’t expect this time of year.

So… is winter a bad time to sell?

Not inherently.

In some cases — especially for condos, townhouses, and well-located single-family homes — winter can actually reduce competition and sharpen demand. The key is understanding your property type, your price point, and your local market conditions.

The calendar matters far less than the strategy.

If you’re thinking about selling and debating whether to list now or wait, that’s not a one-size-fits-all decision — and it’s worth talking through before the spring rush hits.