Traditional wisdom has told us that selling a home in the winter isn’t worth the effort, but that may not necessarily always be the case.

The following tips can help you make the decision if selling your home during the winter months is a good option.

There is less competition on both sides

From a buyer’s perspective, winter still remains a great season to purchase. In fact, your offer may actually carry more weight due to fewer buyers searching. As for sellers, fewer homes on the market during the winter means that buyers may gravitate more toward your house. It’s simple economics — lower housing inventory levels result in higher demand for those that are listed.

Winter buyers and sellers are more motivated

If somebody is willing to travel on icy roads in search of a home, odds are they are motivated to buy. Same for sellers; if a seller is willing to list a house, close and move during the winter months, they may also have strong motivations to do so.

Moving during the winter can present special circumstances

Buying or selling a home during the winter may present a few logistical challenges. Before starting the process, be realistic about the time commitment and expectations that fall on you as a potential buyer or seller. The first step is to find a great real estate agent who understands your goals and the local housing market to make the transaction a smooth and efficient one.

It’s harder to see the entire property

Your nicely manicured lawn doesn’t look quite as good under a foot of snow. Winter also makes rooms look darker than they actually are. Most buying decisions are made within the first few minutes of walking through the door, so make sure you work to create a bright first impression.

Overall, winter is a great time to buy and sell a home, but there are plenty of things to consider before starting the process this time of year.