Selling Your Home During Winter

Selling your home during winter can create challenges but also opportunities. Setting yourself up for the best chance to sell in the wintertime is not as hard as you think. First, let’s take a look at some of the Pros for selling during winter…

Wintertime Sales

Yes, there are both buyers and sellers during the winter – in fact, on average, 20% of home sales happen during this time. The forecast for this winter doesn’t seem to be slowing down! Don’t let the seasons or holidays stop you!

There are events that happen in our lives that would cause us to need to sell during the winter. Things like marriage, divorce, a new baby, or job relocations happen November – February, just like just like any other time of year. These life events can create opportunities during this untraditional home selling time of the year. Things like:

• Less Competition: It’s true, even in this low inventory market, traditionally, there are even less homes on the market this time of year. That means it’s easier to stand out among the competition.
• Motivated Buyers: The buyers who are looking to buy at this time of year are typically very serious. You won’t have as many looky-loos!
• Ramp Up the Coziness: Holidays are a time of family, memories, nostalgia for lots of people. Emotion is what sells homes and it runs high this time of year!

5 Tips for Selling During the Winter Months

We are optimistic, by nature. So, let’s take a look at 5 tips that could help you sell your home this winter season!

1 – Keep it Accessible

It’s important to keep your homes’ walkways and driveways clear of snow and slippery spots for potential home buyers. Viewing your home in person is another step closing to making an offer. Be sure to keep everyone safe by clearing the paths and using salt!

Won’t hurt to have a cute sign at the front door asking people to remove their shoes during the showing, as well. That way you won’t end up with salt, snow or slush being tracked through!

 

2 – Bring on the Heat!

Be sure to have your furnace/heating source tuned up and any drafts in doors or windows sealed. This is normal maintenance for a homeowner but particularly important for someone wanting to sell their home.

You certainly don’t want drafty windows or doors that can turn off potential home buyers!

 

3 – Turn on the Lights

It gets dark earlier and clouds dim the brightness of a home. Turn on all the lamps, overhead lights and holiday lighting for all your showings – not just nighttime showings. This adds brightness and cheer to a home during the winter.

 

4 – Cozy it Up

The holidays and winter give you the opportunity to showcase fireplaces, reading nooks, dining rooms and more! Emotions run high during this time and that’s what sells homes.

Stage small vignettes to show the potential buyers how warm, inviting and cozy your home is:

• • In the dining area, set your table with holiday or wintertime centerpieces and dishes showing buyers the possibilities of inviting family/friends get togethers.
  • If you have a fireplace – play it up! On a chair or sofa near the fireplace, drape a throw, place a book on a side table with a coffee mug. This creates that cozy feeling, for sure. Be sure to decorate the mantel!
  • Use throws or pillows in a holiday or wintertime theme to add a touch of nostalgia to your main living areas.
  • Keep your holiday decorating simple but impactful. It might be better to forgo displaying huge collections this season. Instead, opt for a tree or one large focal point and then add small decorating touches around the room.

 

5 – Price it Right

This is not the time of year to push the listing price. Our agents will prepare a comparable market analysis showing what similar homes have sold for and the best place to start your listing price.

Ignoring this advice can mean languishing on the market and multiple price reductions. None of that is good!

When you price in the current market’s sweet spot, you are more likely to sell faster and create “Want” from the buyers out there – maybe even multiple offers, letting the market run up the price.

Take Advantage of the Opportunity

Selling your home during winter is not as hard as you think. You avoid the rush of competition in the Spring, can make your home stand out in the smaller crowd and show serious buyers what a great home yours would be for them. Ultimately, it’s your decision. Just know, we done this a few times and are ready, willing and able to help you sell your home!