9 Simple Tips to Help You Sell Your Home This Winter
Winter has not always been viewed as the most favorable time to sell you home. But for those who have a home on the market still, there are major advantages to selling in winter. For example, because there is less market saturation and competition, you have the opportunity to sell more quickly than other times of the year. If you’re considering or in the midst of selling, here are some tips for getting your home noticed and sold this winter.
Capture Listing Photos Before Snow Falls
Listing photos are one of the first things a potential buyer looks at before they tour your home, and it’s important that those photos are as appealing as possible. If you decide to sell early enough, it is to your advantage to have your listing photos taken before the snow flies. Most buyers will be captivated by a fall-colored or green yard much more than a white and gray landscape, which will get them in the door and then the house can sell itself.
Set the Mood
There’s nothing more appealing on a 30-degree, snowy day then a cozy house to warm up in. Setting the mood for potential buyers by kicking up the thermostat to a comfortable temperature, lighting candles, starting a fire in the fireplace and strategically laying out warm blankets and pillows can help to not only make them feel welcome but also illicit a positive emotional response while they're there.
Increase Your Curb Appeal
A first impression can mean the difference between a buyer considering a home or dismissing it immediately, and that’s why it’s important to make a good one right off the bat. The best way to do this is to invest in your outside area. Simply making sure your bushes are neat, your planters are cleared or replaced with wintery garland, and hanging a nice wreath on the door can add instant charm to your home.
Clear Your Walkways
Snow and ice can all be potential hazards during this time of year. To keep everyone safe and maximize that first impression, make sure your driveway and walkways are clear for potential buyers. Not only will they appreciate it, but they also won’t view those maintenance items as a potential burden as they envision themselves living there.
Emphasize Your Inside Spaces
In winter, most people are stuck inside 90% of the time, so the way the inside looks and feels is much more important than the warmer months and buyers are examining those inside spaces a lot closer. If your home is over-cluttered, you run the risk of turning-off potential buyers. Instead, clear out your spaces, especially your family room, of clunky furniture or excessive decorations to give the sense of a more spacious area.
For more ways on how you can prepare and improve your home before your sell, download the checklist below:
