Buying or selling a home at any time of year can be a daunting task. For most the fear is more so in the winter months, when cold, snow & all around gloomy days override the excitement of starting anew. We’re here to tell you though, it doesn’t have to be, and no matter the season, it is always a good time to sell your home as long as you are ready.
The biggest misconception is that there is little interest for potential Buyer’s to purchase in the winter months, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. While there is a lag in the market reflective of the holidays, vacation season and cold, wet weather, those serious about buying are still looking for their perfect home and will rarely let a little bit of snow stop them. In fact, they tend to be less indecisive and confused, more educated, and ready to seriously consider your home. Just listing early in the year also makes you the “new kid on the block”, as most of your competition came into the market in late November & December, and listing in a time when things are naturally a little slower means that there will be less competition for you to contend with. Don’t forget that people need to move a range of different reasons: job changes, growing and shrinking families, and money related issues to name a few, all which can occur at any time.
So now that you’re comfortable with the idea, how can you put your plan into action? Well, for starters, de-clutter your home. No one likes walking into a space that is littered with furniture or toys, used as a catch all for old or barely use items, or just plain old sloppy. Now is a good time to rid your space of the ‘junk’ you no longer use and to get organized. Keeping specific rooms for designated tasks will also help potential homeowners to see the home as functional space that can be used in a variety of ways to fit their own needs. Do you have a work our room or playroom in the basement, for example? Keep items in that room specific to that task alone and move all others to another space or out of the house entirely.
Maintain cleanliness throughout. Place a large welcome matt and shoe tray at the door to leave shoes & boots, and keep a swifter type mop in the hall closet for quick, easy clean-up of puddles before you leave the house. Keep hall closets, hooks & hangers free of any bulky or unnecessary items and, if you have pets, keep them well-groomed as well. If you can, avoid having them “go” in the yards, as there is nothing more unsightly to see then yellow snow.
Don’t let winter be an obstacle, and keep the exterior of your home clean. While you may not be able to paint in these cold months, a mild day (like the many we’ve had recently) provides perfect opportunity to wash the windows and any exterior siding. Keep walkways and sidewalks free of ice and snow, and keep a hard broom handy for sweeping snow from your porch.
Keeping your home cozy is also a good way to perk the interest of potential Buyers. If you have a gas fireplace or wood burning stove, light a fire; or set your thermostat to a decent temperature to help keep your home ‘comfortably’ warm. Keep in mind though that those coming into your home will be in heavy jackets and layers, therefore you need not keep the house as warm as you would if you were just sitting to watch T.V. Cozy throws or quilts make great accents to a living room, family room or bedroom, as do plump pillows or an area rug in warm tones. You can also provide a few pairs of inexpensive, fluffy slippers, placed neatly in a basket by the door for agents and their clients to slide on while viewing. This will make them feel at home, as well as keep any water & grime from tracking into the house.
Lots of natural light is a great way to showcase a room at any time of the year. With shorter days and less sunlight though, adequate lighting will require a bit of creativity on your part. Try keeping lamps, and lighting on for showings, as this will keep things bright and help people to envision themselves sitting in a particular corner. Showcasing the entertaining possibilities of your home is also a great strategy. Keep a dining table set for dinner or bar area well stocked with glasses and the like to allow others to imagine what it would be like to host a dinner or party in your home.
Trying one or two or several of these tricks can help to make your home more appealing and give you a leg up in the market during cooler months. Rest assured though, however you choose to prepare for a home sale in whatever season, we are always happy to help!
