Home sales tips for Florida means selling to snowbirds. Snowbirds are people who come from a northern snowy climate for the sunny weather of Florida in the winter.

The snowbirds are coming! The snowbirds are coming! And they are looking for a home to buy. So selling yours makes sense. Home sales in the fall, selling in the “off selling season” makes a lot of sense just because of snowbirds.

No, snowbirds aren’t actually birds. The term was coined as a play on the idea of migratory birds who head south when the weather farther north turns cold. That’s exactly what “snowbirds” are: people who head south for the winter. They are typically retirees or business owners who have a second home in a warmer location. If they own a business it may be a seasonal one in the colder climate; think business on the boardwalk on the Jersey Shore, or whose business can be easily moved from place to place; think direct sales or something similar.

While some RV it for the winter, most rent or buy a second home in the warmer place. While snowbirds used to be more wealthy people, today because of taxes, they sometimes move and make their “permanent” residence in the state with the most beneficial tax code. For whatever reason, there are a lot of them! If they don’t already have a home, they will be looking for one.

This is where the benefit of a snowbird comes in for you, the seller. If you are considering upsizing, keep in mind many snowbirds are downsizing. They want smaller, less work so they can be more relaxed over the winter. That is the biggest thing for you, the seller, to keep in mind. They generally want a project free home. So, fix things, update and sell it!

A home sales tip for you means that NOW, before and during Thanksgiving and Christmas, is the time to list. Many stay “home” with family for the holidays and then head south. Having your home available as they arrive can be the difference between selling and waiting until next year.