Conventional wisdom says that the best time to sell a home is in spring. But selling your home in winter doesn’t mean you’ll be left out in the cold. Read on to learn the advantages of listing in winter as well as ways to showcase your home in the coolest months.
A winter listing can work in your favor
It’s true that the number of home shoppers soars in springtime. So does the number of listings, which means there’s more competition for buyers’ attention. Getting noticed is more challenging in the warmer months.
In winter, on the other hand, the number of buyers and listings declines. This means fewer homes to compete against, but also fewer buyers looking. There’s a silver lining to selling your home in winter, though: House hunters out looking from November through February are likely to be serious about buying. Cold weather will keep the browsers at home, but not those whose circumstances mean they need to move in winter. People who are relocating for jobs, want to move between semesters or have year-end bonus money to spend are prime customers.
Make your house a winter haven
No doubt one of the obstacles to selling your home in winter is cold and ice. With a little effort, you can make your house cozy and comforting when the weather is bitterly cold. Create the impression in the buyer’s mind that your home will be delightful in the frosty months.
If you can safely do so, have a crackling blaze in the fireplace or wood-burning stove when you have a winter showing scheduled. Buyers may remember this more than anything else about your house. If you don’t have a fireplace, have potpourri simmering on the stove, hot apple cider awaiting your visitors and delectable cookies on a platter in the kitchen.
Be sure all lights are on and the house is warm with the heating set at a comfortable level.
Keep the winter elements out
Winter weather means blowing leaves and wet shoes can leave entry floors a mess. Banish dirty footprints, wet leaves and snow by staying on top of cleaning your entry floors and rugs. Don’t neglect the front porch; keep it swept and tidy and the front mat clean.
Walks and driveways
If you’re selling your home in winter, keep snow and ice shoveled off the walkway to your door, the driveway and the front sidewalk. This makes entering your home safer. Besides, letting snow build up reminds buyers of the work ahead for them as owners.
Selling your home in winter…just add color!
Brighten your home with color to distract from drab winter landscapes. Create curb appeal with bright winter flowers such as English primrose, pansies, hellebores (Christmas roses) and other colorful plants in your beds or pots. Holly bushes with their festive red berries are merry and bright, and vividly colored poinsettias by the front door will welcome visitors with holiday good cheer.
Picture home entertainment
Clear kitchen counters of clutter and set the dining table with a warm and colorful centerpiece. You want potential buyers to picture your home as a perfect gathering place for family and friends.
Decorate for the holidays
Greenery, warm holiday lights and a welcoming wreath on the door make the home festive. But be sure to keep the decor tasteful and refined, not gaudy and overdone.
Related – How to Transform Barren Yards with Winter Plants
