The busiest time of year in the housing market is typically the spring through early fall, as many families want to move when the weather is nice and the kids are not in school. While winter is a less active time for real estate sales, it is possible to sell your home in the winter. Preparation makes a big difference in how long your home sits on the market and how much it sells for. Here are some of the best ways to help you sell during the winter.
Leave Holiday Décor Out of Pictures
Even if you plan ahead, your home might sit on the market several weeks or even months before you reach an agreement with a buyer. When you have holiday décor in your listing photos, it immediately dates the home and shows when it went on the market. You also run the risk of pushing away buyers who might not celebrate the same holidays as you. When you sell your home in the winter, wait to decorate until listing photos are taken.
Point Out Energy Efficiency to Sell Your Home in the Winter
High heating bills are a concern for many homeowners and homebuyers. When you sell your home in the winter, be sure to highlight any energy-efficient features that your home has.
Did you update the insulation, weatherstripping, and caulking to get rid of drafts? Is your furnace a newer model that’s more efficient and requires less energy to heat the home? Did you recently replace the windows? These factors can make a big difference in how long your home is up for sale, especially in colder climates.
Stay on Top of Snow and Ice Removal
When you sell your home in the winter, one of the biggest challenges is the weather. If there is snow in the forecast or ice is on the way, you should have a plan in place to take care of snow and ice removal.
Make sure that all driveways, sidewalks, and other walkways are shoveled and covered with ice melt. Clear patios and decks so that they are easy to view and safe to access.
Light Up Your Space to Sell Your Home in the Winter
Winter has the fewest hours of natural light per day, so make sure that your home is attractive during showings at any time of day. Use warm temperature bulbs in your lamps and fixtures so that your home is brightly lit and cozy for showings. There should be a good balance of floor lamps, table lamps, and overhead lights inside your home.
Buyer’s Edge offers home inspection services, including pre-listing inspections, in Western North Carolina. If you’re selling your home, contact us to request an appointment.