Most of us know that the big selling times for homes are spring and summer. That doesn’t mean, however, that we need to feel panicky if we must sell our home in autumn or winter. There are strategies to make this season the one to successfully sell your property.
Maintain Curb Appeal
This is the perfect time of year to make your property look cheerful and bright, despite gray days and colder weather. As the seasons change, consider putting a festive wreath or some simple decoration on your front door to make it inviting. Touch up paint where needed, including your mailbox and the trim around your door. Don’t overlook smaller nuances as well, like cleaning the windows to give your home a bright shine or updating your house numbers for a fresh new look. Just because many plants are dying down for winter slumber does not mean our homes cannot look lush and gorgeous. A winter flower garden can be beautiful and add a colorful touch as a border or in pots by the door. Holly, snowdrops and hellebores are all excellent cold-weather options.
Stay on Top of Maintenance
You also need to think about ease of access to your home, especially when the temperatures drop, as there may be a few more hazards to consider during the colder months than in warmer ones. If you live in an area where snow is abundant, you are probably used to shoveling your driveway. However, you need to think not just of your family’s car getting in and out of the garage, but of buyers coming up to the home. That means you should shovel the entire driveway and every walkway around the house. It looks nicer and keeps buyers in a happy mood due to ease of access, but also makes navigating any open house showings you host a safer endeavor. Keep your gutters clean and clear, ensure your pipes are insulated, and that your chimney is ready; a nice fire can add a cheerful touch to any open house.
Bring on the Light
A bright home full of light sells better than one that is dim or dark. Adding lighting is more important now than ever, as the colder seasons also tend to turn dark earlier than the rest of the year. Make sure you add white light. It’s warm without coming off as too artificial. Put lamps on bedside tables and in dark corners of rooms, and consider installing some hanging fixtures or mounting lights on the walls themselves. If you have screens on your windows to keep out bugs in the summer months, it may be best to remove them during winter. This will bring in a startling amount of natural light, something we should be striving for during open house showings. Keep pieces such as your couch coverings and pillows, curtains, drapes, and table runner a pale color to reflect light.
Sweet Little Extras
Does a chilly house sound appealing to you? Is it a place you want to return to when the weather outside is nippy? No, and buyers agree, so keep your home heated and cozy. Little niceties can go a long way to making your home stand out, such as providing treats for visitors to nibble on while they tour your house. To emphasize how comforting your property is, consider brewing some hot chocolate for guests to enjoy or lighting some festive holiday candles in different rooms. Make sure whatever scent you opt for is not overpowering, as nothing is worse than one that’s too strong and artificial.
You don’t need to worry about selling a home during the off-season if you make some smart preparations. Keep your curb appeal sharp with attention to detail and pops of color, and make sure your home is bright and easy to navigate. Add in some sweet extras, and you may be surprised by how quickly your home flies off the market this fall or winter.
Blog written by Suzie Wilson who is proud to announce that her debut book, The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House, is COMING SOON to online retailers and bookstores near you!
I am always busy during the winter months, selling my listings, or helping my buyers buy the right home, so please mention this blog and you will receive a free market analysis of your home, no strings attached.
For more info on running and real estate, whether buying or selling, please e-mail me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com, or call me at 916-342-2446. Running for real estate with joy!