Selling in winter is possible. There are usually fewer new listings and fewer sales than in spring. Here is how to get your home ready, step by step.

1. What the numbers say

In the Montréal area, there are generally about 3 times fewer new listings in December than in April (order of magnitude, based on 2024 to 2026 data; APCIQ, via The Canadian Press). Sales are around 2,000 to 3,200 per month in December and January, compared with about 4,000 to 4,700 from April to June.

Note: in fall 2026, supply is high (21,793 properties for sale in September, about 18% above the ten-year average). Competition could therefore be stronger than usual this winter: preparing your home well matters.

2. The inspection: help the buyer see what the snow hides

Under snow, the inspector cannot properly assess the roof or anything buried in the ground (Centris, CAA-Québec). You can help:

• Gather your invoices (roof, drain, foundation, windows).
• Keep your previous inspection reports, if you have any.
• Show photos taken in summer or fall: the roof, the yard, the foundation.

3. Your declarations: be complete

The OACIQ "Declarations by the seller of the immovable" form is mandatory when a person signs a brokerage contract to sell a mainly residential property with fewer than 5 dwellings (divided co-ownership has its own form). You answer to the best of your knowledge and in good faith, including on water damage, the basement, the roof, drainage and heating.

Why this matters even more in winter: a problem hidden by snow can appear in spring. According to Éducaloi, the buyer may have more time to complain when a defect only shows up in certain seasons. Declaring everything you know reduces the risk of disputes.

4. Getting the home ready

Outside

• Clear the snow and ice from the entrance, stairs and balcony before every visit.
• In most Montréal boroughs, it is forbidden to put snow on the sidewalk or in the street: it must stay on your property (Ville de Montréal).
• Check the snow-removal signs before telling buyers where to park.

Inside

• Keep the home warm and comfortable.
• Aim for humidity between 30 and 50% to avoid condensation on the windows (INSPQ).
• Set up a spot for boots and coats at the entrance.

Light

• The sun sets early: around 4:10 to 4:15 p.m. in December in Montréal.
• Take exterior photos in full daylight, and prefer visits between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• For a late-afternoon visit, turn on all the lights.

Useful documents

• Your electricity consumption history is in your Hydro-Québec Customer Space. Nothing requires you to provide it, but a buyer may ask for it.

5. If the home is empty during the sale

Call your insurer before you leave. Many policies require someone to check the heating regularly, and a home left unoccupied for too long (often more than 30 days) may be less well protected, especially against frozen pipes.

Summary: your checklist for selling in winter

1. Gather invoices, previous reports and summer photos.
2. Fill out the seller's declarations completely.
3. Clear snow and ice before every visit.
4. Keep the home warm, with 30 to 50% humidity.
5. Take photos and hold visits in daylight.
6. Call your insurer if the home is empty.

Thinking of selling this winter? I can help you prepare your home and choose the right time.

Hania Merhi, real estate broker (courtière immobilière) — eXp agence immobilière

This article provides general information, as of October 2026. It does not replace the advice of your insurer, an inspector or a notary.

Sources checked on October 20, 2026: APCIQ (statistics reported by The Canadian Press), Centris, CAA-Québec, OACIQ (Declarations by the seller form), Éducaloi, Ville de Montréal, INSPQ, Hydro-Québec, Chubb and Insurance Bureau of Canada.