What makes selling a home more stressful? Selling it in the middle of winter.
The lawn is brown, the weather is usually bad and, unlike the longer days of summer, you have less time to show it off during daylight hours.
But not everyone has the luxury of waiting until the traditional spring or summer home-buying season to plant that “for sale” sign. And while it’s true that in most areas you’ll probably have fewer buyers during the winter, you will have less competition from other sellers.
The season makes staging even more important, so be prepared to put a little effort into it. It’s more difficult to make something look really appealing this time of year. If you do it right, you can really make your house stand out.
1. Keep snow and ice at bay.
The top tip from agents: If the buyer can’t get in easily, the house won’t sell. That means keeping walkways and driveways free of the frozen stuff. Just like trimming the lawn in the summer, you want to make the home look like it’s been maintained. If you’re away frequently or live in an area that’s subject to bad weather, it can pay to hire a service to regularly salt or shovel the driveway and sidewalks.
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2. Warm it up.
If you’re showing during the winter, think “warm, cozy and homey.” Before a buyer comes through, adjust the thermostat to a warmer temperature to make it welcoming. Sellers typically turn the temperature down because of heat costs whether they are leaving the home for a few hours or the house is vacant. Buyers who come in and aren’t comfortable won’t stay long. Also, colder houses will feel darker and more cave-like.
If you have a gas fireplace, turning it on right before the tour can give the house a little ambience. With a wood-burning fireplace, you’ve got to be a little more careful. If the house is vacant, don’t chance it. But if you’re still living there and will be there during the tour, it can be a nice touch. Another nice touch if you don’t want to use up the wood is to clean out the fireplace of ashes and put pillar candles of different sizes inside and light them just before the showing comes in. Ask the showing agent to blow out the candles on their way out.
Many times, sellers leave right before the agent and prospective buyers arrive. In that case, adjust the heat to a comfortable temperature and have the hearth set for a fire. Buyers feel the warmth and see the potential, and you don’t have to worry about safety concerns.
3. Take advantage of natural light.
Encourage showing during the high-daylight hours. Make the most of the light you do have. Have the curtains and blinds cleaned and open them as wide as possible during daytime showings. Clean all the lamps and built-in fixtures, and replace the bulbs with the highest wattage that they will safely accommodate. Before you show the house, turn on all the lights.
4. Get the windows washed.
Buyers act on the first impression. Windows are one thing that many sellers don’t even consider. In winter, that strong southern light can reveal grime and make it look like the home hasn’t been well-maintained.
5. Play music softly in the background.
To create a little atmosphere, tune the radio to the local classical station. Turn it down so that you barely hear it in the background. “It’s soothing, and people tend to stay around a little longer and look a little longer.
6. Make it comfortable and cozy.
Set the scene and help the buyers see themselves living happily in this house. Consider things such as putting a warm throw on the sofa or folding back the thick comforter on the bed. Tap into the simple things this time of year that make you feel like you’re home.
7. Emphasize winter positives.
Is your home on a bus route or some other vital service that means it’s plowed or de-iced regularly in bad weather? Be sure to mention that to the buyers.
8. Set up timers.
You want your home to look warm and welcoming whenever prospective buyers drive past. But you’re not home all the time, so put indoor and outdoor lights on timers, Phipps says.
Look at the outside lighting around the door. Is there enough illumination to make it inviting? If not, either get the fixtures changed or have new ones added.
9. Make it festive.
Even if you’re not actually going to be present, greet your buyers as if they were going to be guests at a party. Set up the dinner table with the good china and silver. Have a plate of cookies for your guests, some warm cider or even chilled bottles of water.
If it looks like you’re expecting me and greeting me as company, that’s a powerful impact, and a strong first impression. What’s more is that it feels personal, and people can actually visualize using the space for dinner parties.
10. Give the home a nice aroma.
The No. 1 favorite? Chocolate-chip cookies Just about everybody likes that smell.
Other popular scents: cinnamon rolls, freshly baked bread, apple pie, apple cider or anything with vanilla, cinnamon or yeast.
Be carfeul not to overdo it. Scented candles in every room or those plug-in air fresheners can leave buyers wondering what you’re trying to mask.
Watch the bad smells, too. Pet smells, smoke and musty odors can cling to curtains and carpets. Ask your real-estate agent or a friend to give it a sniff test. Then clean the house, air it out and replace drapes, carpets or rugs before you show it.
11. Protect your investment.
Some sellers (or their agents) will ask buyers to either remove shoes or slip on paper “booties” over their footwear before touring the house. It indicates a pride of ownership and meticulousness that resonates with buyers.
12. Use the season to your advantage.
While the holidays are over (and the Christmas and Hanukkah stuff should come down), you can still use winter wreaths and dried arrangements around the door to spark interest. In the winter, with the leaves off the trees, you might also have a nice view that isn’t as apparent in the spring and summer months. It’s a great time to sell waterfront properties. You can see the views better this time of year.
13. Consider the area.
In some parts of the country, such as ski areas or warmer regions where the snowbirds flock, winter weather can actually be a selling point. Colorado mountain homes are right in the middle of the selling season. It’s not always spring and summer.
The Farm and Ranch lifestyle aren’t always as glamorous as the movies portray. One instance are the cold and blustery days of winter. All you really want to do is stay inside tucked under a warm blanket, curled up in front of a roaring fire with hot chocolate or a bowl of soup sitting nearby while you watch the snow swirl around outside. Unfortunetly, your animals will starve if you don’t get out there and feed them.
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