Selling your home in the depths of winter might seem daunting, but with the market striking a positive note since the New Year, your timing could not be better.
You can safely put aside any doubts about a winter sales campaign. As any real estate agent will tell you, there’s never been a bad time to sell a property.
You may have to tweak your strategy, highlighting elements of your home that you’d not consider during summer, but that’s really the extent of the difference.
Late autumn and winter offer many benefits.
The most significant is that you won’t have fierce competition from other sellers trying to attract buyers’ attention.
This mostly happens in spring, and as we saw last year, the tsunami of homes coming on to the market at the same time had a dampening effect on prices.
For winter, you’ll have less competition. Better still, you’ll find that you’ll have only serious buyers assessing your home. The tyre-kickers tend to stay away in autumn and winter.
First impressions are paramount in winter. Your front yard should be tidy with the hedges and grass neatly trimmed. Any branches that have grown over windows or brush against the property should be removed.
Fallen leaves should be cleared from both your footpath and gutters.
Inside, you want to create a cosy atmosphere. Consider placing throws and cushions in warm, inviting colours to enhance the feeling of comfort.
Remember that natural light is precious during winter, so maximise it. Open curtains and blinds to let in as much daylight as possible. If necessary, turn on warm, soft lighting to create a welcoming ambiance.
Here are seven tips for preparing your home this winter.
Keep it clear – Ensure safe and easy access for potential buyers by removing wet leaves and any moss that could be slippery and dangerous.
Keep out droughts – Winter is a time when buyers will be attuned to the insulation in your home. So, fix any gaps in windows or around skirting boards to keep the warmth in.
Let there be light – Daylight is your friend. As well as opening curtains and blinds, move any furniture from in front of windows so light isn’t blocked.
Make it cosy – Turn up the thermostat and use warm lighting and soft furnishings. Also, highlight fireplaces and underfloor heating.
No clutter – We say this regardless of the season. It’s always a good idea to declutter and depersonalise so prospective buyers can imagine themselves living in your home rather than feel like a visitor.
Picture perfect – When you’ve gone to so much trouble to prepare your apartment or house, don’t waste your work with amateur photography. Make sure your agent provides an experienced property photographer to make your home stand out on the portals.
Be flexible – Again, having done so much work, make sure your prospective buyers can view your property at their convenience. With the evenings getting dark early, it can be tricky for buyers to find the optimum time to see your home. Consider this challenge, and give them the best possible experience when they visit.