Late spring and early summer are the best times to sell a home. That’s what conventional wisdom says, at least.
But it’s not impossible to sell a home in the depths of winter. In fact, it’s actually advantageous to sell in December, January and February in many cases. There are fewer buyers this time of year, but there are also fewer homes on the market. Also, many buyers are armed with end-of-year bonuses or early tax returns, and they are ready to spend. If you do the right things, your home will stand out as an attractive option.
Are you interested in selling your home during the coldest months of the year? Here are seven tips to help you sell quickly – and to maximize price.
1. Keep It Simple
Homes look best when they are well appointed and uncluttered. Optimize your décor to make your home look attractive, but don’t decorate to the extent that every corner is filled and every surface is cluttered.
This is particularly important when selling around the holidays. Choose to decorate in a way that complements your year-round décor without overwhelming it. Simple sells.
2. Light It Up
Winter days are short. If a prospective buyer comes to the house at the end of the workday, right when the sun is setting, your home will look dark and uninviting. While your home is on the market, do whatever it takes to keep lights on and make your home look as bright as possible.
Also, open blinds and shutters and push back drapes during the day. There’s typically less natural light on cold winter mornings and afternoons, but you’ll want as much of that natural light as possible to stream into your rooms.
Consider using timers for lights in street-facing rooms, too. You can go through the house and turn on lights and open window treatments before scheduled showings. But timers will make your home look bright for interested passersby who are only considering a showing.
3. Make It Cozy
A home should be a warm refuge during the frigid winter months. Make your property feel like the delightful refuge it should be by making it feel cozy for your visitors.
Make sure the heat is set to an appropriate temperature. You’ll want prospective buyers to be warm so they linger inside your home. Place throw blankets on sofas and other furniture. During open houses, turn on the fireplace.
4. Demonstrate Winter-Readiness
Show prospective buyers that your home is ready to handle the cold winter months. Highlight the newness of a roof or furnace. Use the listing to describe how a home faces south (accelerating the melting of snow on the front of the house) or the shortness of a driveway (shortening the amount of time spent shoveling).
5. Clear Walkways
You’ll want all walkways to be completely clear of snow. Shovel as often as needed, and place sand on paths and steps to keep guests from slipping.
As an added touch, set a container for umbrellas by the front door, and make sure there’s a mat suitable for wiping feet. These special touches will show prospective buyers you take good care of your home.
6. Take Snow-Less Photos
Quality photos are essential to the home-sales process. Most buyers start their search online, and they won’t want to see your property unless the online photos spark their interest.
But it’s important to snap photos during a time when there’s no snow on the ground. Buyers will want a sense of what your house looks like throughout the year, so take advantage of a snow-less week to take great photos.
7. Clean to a Shine
It’s always important to deeply clean your home before putting it on the market. This step is even more important during winter.
Clear dust from hard-to-reach places like fixtures and fan blades. Make sure that mirrors and faucets are glimmering. Clean floors so they sparkle. And make sure all windows are wiped down and smudge-free. Sparkling windows are a nice touch during the coldest months of the year.
Many buyers wait until spring to put their homes on the market. But, if you’re ready to sell, there’s no reason to wait. Follow the tips listed above if you’re considering selling your home during winter, and please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions. It would be my pleasure to help you make the right decisions as you look for a buyer. Email me at pthessen1@gmail.com.
-submitted by Perry Thessen
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