What are the benefits of selling your home in the winter?
If you’re looking to sell in winter, you can enjoy a few advantages. There’s less competition in winter because many sellers opt to put their homes on the market during the spring instead. This means that there may be fewer houses on the market, driving up demand amongst buyers. Your property may also stand out in the winter months as extra warm and cosy. It’s a good idea to chat to a real estate agent to see how you can make the most of selling in winter.
(You can find an experienced real estate agent by using our online comparison tool and compare their commission information, marketing strategy, sales history and independent homeowner reviews.)
Some say if you choose to sell your house during the winter months, you may be up for a bit of a challenge. Some buyers hole up at home during this time and will be less motivated to brave the cold for inspections, and houses can look drab and dull in the bleak winter light.
Finding an agent to sell property in winter
If you do decide to sell in winter, finding the right agent is imperative to a successful sale. For example, choosing a flexible agent will be beneficial if there’s rainy weather on the day of an inspection and they’re willing to change it. Or, have a backup plan if the weather on auction day is likely to put buyers off attending. Compare agents.
How to prepare a home for inspection in winter
Brighten your Curb Appeal
The importance of a good first impression cannot be overemphasised. When it comes to selling your house, you’ll make your first impression based on the exterior of the property. The last thing you want is a depressing, unkempt outdoor area. You can freshen up your property by putting out potted winter flowers to breathe life into the garden. Raking leaves, mowing the lawn, and pruning bushes that may contain dead flowers will all help your home look more vibrant.
Use Winter Staging Tricks
Home staging in winter will need to be conducted with the ultimate goal of creating an atmosphere of comfort and warmth. A roaring fire can be a great asset in the winter, so you’ll want to use your fireplace during an inspection. Thick blankets can be used on couches and in the bedroom to create a cosy feeling, making buyers want to snuggle up in your home.
Clean the Windows
Having clean windows can help you enhance any wan sunlight during the winter months. Most winter days tend to be overcast, and with clean windows you’ll ensure that any sunlight that appears is able to stream freely into the home. Another reason to keep your windows clean is to avoid muddy streaks due to winter rain showers. This could dampen what would otherwise be a top feature of the home.
Use Lighting to your Advantage
On dark winter days, you may not have as much natural lighting as you would prefer. In addition to cleaning your windows and pulling back curtains, you’ll also want to make the most of artificial light. Turn on all of your lamps and lighting fixtures to banish dark corners from the home and give the place a cosy glow. Another way to brighten up your home is by using mirrors. Place these across from windows, to open up the space and show off your cleaning and staging to its best effect. A good real estate agent may know of other ways to show off your property’s specific features. It’s a good idea to use the free online comparison dashboard at LocalAgentFinder to find an expert in your area.
Keep the Heating On
There’s nothing like stepping in from the cold into a warm, comfortable home. The warmth will help put buyers at ease, and will help erase any doubts about whether or not the heating system works. However, take care not to turn it up too high. You want a warm and cosy home, not a sauna.
Take Care of Home Repairs
No matter what time of year you plan on selling your house in, you’ll want to prepare for the sale by having a property that’s in proper working order. Fix issues like leaking roof tiles or gutters, to prevent water running down the walls of your property during inspection. Leaky faucets or chipped fixtures should also be replaced.
Protect Interior of the Home
Wet weather can do a number on your property’s interior as well. Provide an umbrella stand, coat rack, and welcome mat outside the door to prevent drips and mud being tracked in onto the carpet. You could even leave a polite sign asking buyers to remove their shoes when they enter the home, to protect carpets. This shows buyers that you care about protecting your property, which can be a bonus to those who rank cleanliness high on their list of positive attributes. It also helps to draw attention to your flooring, which is helpful if you’ve just installed new carpeting or floorboards.
Show Off Your Home Looking its Best
If you’re worried about buyers not being able to imagine your home in any other surroundings, you could display a photo of your home in warmer months. This will help buyers visualise what the house is like throughout the year. This could redeem your property in the eyes of buyers if the drab weather is not doing it any favours.
Planning for Open for Inspections
Although you can’t control the weather, you can try to check the forecast and pick a time of day for inspections when the sun is at its peak. This will help maximise your interior lighting.
Although selling your house during the winter season can be a bit more complicated, if you follow these basic steps you can transform your house into a cosy oasis in any storm. Real estate agents are experienced with selling properties in any season, and may have some additional tips that pertain to your specific situation. You can find the right agent to represent your needs by registering your details at LocalAgentFinder. Sellers have been using this service since 2007 to get in contact with highly qualified licensed agents, to help maximise profits.
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