There is no denying that summer and spring are the seasons when home buying and selling spikes. However, this doesn’t mean your house cannot hit the real estate market in the fall or winter season. Most people do not consider purchasing a property during the chilly winter months, but there are still a few in the quest for a home. A lot can be done to make a home appear bright and welcoming to potential buyers. What is all that you need to remember while selling your home in the winter months?
Well, here we’ve brought our list of tips for selling your home that can help you make your home stand out in the real estate market and draw the attention of prospective buyers. To learn about them, keep scrolling!
The idea of selling or buying a property in the cold winter months doesn’t ring well to most people. There are many homeowners who aspire to sell their home when the weather starts cooling down as they have this misconception that the holiday season brings great opportunities for dealing in real estate.
On the other hand, there are people who are quite enthusiastic about selling their property during the winter months. The reason behind this is they find it advantageous to sell in the winter. Additionally, if you are living in an area where the real estate market is hot, it doesn’t matter what time of the year it is. In that case, you need to check with your real estate agent to understand how the home sales are going in the market.
Interestingly, most homeowners choose not to list their property in the winter season and thus, there is less competition. In addition, buyers who are rigorously looking to invest in a property will be determined and motivated. In favor of the fact, there are some research studies that state that home selling is quicker in winter than in other seasons.
So, if you are considering putting your property in the real estate market, you need to take cues from our list of winter home selling tips. Read on and follow these smart tricks for a successful home sale this winter.
Make The Sale
It is no surprise that even the real estate market suffers from winter blues. Home buyers and inventory start dropping off when the temperature begins to go down and the holiday season is upon us. However, even though the winter months are not the ideal time for the real estate market, there are chances that there is a good demand for properties during the season. If you are one of those planning to sell their home during the winter season, work on these special tricks to make your listing appealing to buyers.
Set Expectations
Once you put your property for sale in the market, keep in mind that there will be fewer prospective buyers to come and walk through your home. But the good thing is those who would be visiting your property would seriously be interested and motivated to make the deal. There is no need for keeping the price of your property less because there will be fewer buyers to view the house.
Remove the Clutter
In case you live in a place with a snowy climate, we would suggest keeping the walkway around your home free from clutter. Clear off the decks, patios and porches and keep your furniture in a place clear from snow so that the visitors can witness the space clearly and determine how they can use the space.
Consider Landscaping the Garden Area
Do not let your garden appear lifeless due to the gray skies and exposed trees and consider doing some seasonal landscaping. Remove dead leaves and vegetation, throw some fresh mulch, border garden beds and add a colorful effect by including some seasonal plants around the front door and the yards like holly, timeless topiaries and wreaths.
Photograph Your Property from Every Angle
Unsurprisingly, homes look beautiful in the colorful seasons of spring and summer as they are beautified with greenery; and this vivid beauty is what catches the attention of home buyers. This is ultimately a disadvantage for winter listings.
Thus, we suggest including some pictures of your property from the time of other seasons, if possible. While doing so, make sure the photos do not have a date stamp with them. An old date on the pictures could result in a red flag to buyers since it will give an impression that the property has been on the market for a long time.
Repair or Install Winter Systems
Remember that few things can make a good image of your property in the mind of home buyers. Get the important installations done before the open house and do not let the visitors find out there is something wrong with the heating system or any other appliance. Consider hiring an expert before the listing to check the furnace, fireplace, and other seasonal systems, and repair them if required. Also, do not forget to ask your real estate agent to mention it during the time of viewings.
Play with Lighting
Lighting is the key, and since winter has shorter days, it is necessary to keep the lights on even when you are not home so that your potential buyers could see the home even during those sudden visits. You can install some spotlights or path lighting and consider setting it on a timer to lend a glowy effect to the property.
Keep the Interiors Warm
Needless to mention, it is important to keep your home cozy and warm when you invite potential buyers over. Keep the home at a constant temperature of 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can supervise the fireplace, we would suggest lighting it up and yes, offer a hot cup of coffee to the potential buyers.
Keep the Drafts Sealed Up
A drafty house will give your potential buyer an impression that something is wrong with the heating and cooling systems. Or, it could make them think that the current owners did not work on the repairings. You can use weatherstripping and caulk if necessary to let the chills go out.
Consider Staging Your Home
In case you have moved out of your home and it is sitting vacant, hire an expert to stage your home to lend it a cozy and welcoming vibe. If it seems cost-prohibitive to you to opt for professional staging, you can borrow some extra furniture from your friends or relatives and throw some rugs, linens, and pillows along with some pretty winter plants in all corners to bring in some warmth and liveliness.
Advertise your Property on Social Media
There is no doubt that your real estate agent will be marketing your property on various sites. However, there is no harm in running your own social media campaign. You can advertise your property on prominent social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also check some local Facebook groups of local real estate buyers and sellers and post your details over there.
Do Some Quick Fixes
No matter what season you are planning to sell your home in, it is always a good idea to work with some improvements to enhance the value of your property that will help in selling it faster. Just a few renovations and installations can make a big difference.
What’s More?
Artificial Christmas trees are always a good idea since natural ones do not stay long in your home. Opt to bring in an artificial Christmas tree this year. It will save good money on your holiday decorating expenses for many upcoming years.
Wrapping It up
Winter might not be an ideal time to put your property on sale, however, you can still crack a deal that will benefit you in the future, as you have learned above. Just follow these quick and simple winter real estate tips. Be wise enough while hiring a real estate agent who can enhance the value of your property in the market to appeal to several potential buyers.
Do not fret and go ahead with the planning of selling your home this chilly season. Happy Winters!
Frequently Asked Questions:
No. It is not a bad idea to sell a property in winter if you have not missed out on pricing the home rightly. Since there are a few choices for people to buy a property during the winter season due to the less inventory, you can sell it at a higher price.
There are a few tricks to follow to sell a property in winter quickly which include:
– Install a light outside. As it gets dark a little early on winder days, it’s a good idea to make your home look brightened from the outside.
– Remove the decor accessory from the outside. If you will keep the lawn of your home festooned with reindeer inflatables, it will give buyers an impression that your home is not ready to be sold.
Honestly speaking, autumn is a better time to sell your property than winter. This is because most buyers are excited to buy a property before Christmas and would like to make the most of their holidays before starting searching again in the upcoming year.
It is likely to be true that property prices get lower during the winter season. Though you can get a good deal in any season, however, you can grab a better deal in December or January since the real estate market tends to be slower during the winter months.
