Five Tips for Keeping your Home a Hot Listing Even When it’s Cold
Traditionally, houses don’t sell well in the winter. Bad weather discourages buyers from venturing out and often makes a property look bleak and dreary. While we may not get piles of ice and snow here in southeastern N.C., it can get very cold and we lose the complimentary greenery and blooms that come with nicer weather. However, you can still take some steps to showcase your home this winter. Here are several tips to entice buyers to come in out of the cold and keep your home a hot listing.
Clean it up.
A deep clean is a must before you put your house on the market. Washing the windows enhances the daylight hours and lets the light pour in. Dust furniture, blinds, ceiling fan blades, vents, and light fixtures. Bleach dingy grout and, if necessary, recaulk tubs, showers, and sinks. Focus on cleaning and organizing spaces you forget about because while you may not think about it, a buyer will. Clean the underneath your sink, it’s likely that buyers will glance at the plumbing. Organize closets and other storage nooks, buyers want lots of space if yours are crammed with junk buyers won’t see the full potential. Clean out the refrigerator and freezer, wash or polish floors, and clean carpets. Take this time to declutter as well, prep your house for the sale and freshen up your life for the new year.
Schedule a tune-up.
For obvious reasons, winter buyers are going to be focused on issues related to heating and maintenance. Get your furnace, HVAC, and roof inspected, and make any necessary repairs. Other top priorities on your to-do list: Clean the gutters, change air filters and weatherstrip the windows.
Brighten your home.
Dreary days and gray skies make for a gloomy first impression. Warm-up the curb appeal with basic landscaping. Freshen up mulch beds and add inexpensive cool-weather plants like holly to invigorate outdoor space. Fix chipped paint and repair cracked window seals, which can cause condensation. Not only is this an eyesore, it can cause unnecessary maintenance worries scaring off buyers. Offset the season’s dismal natural light by painting your house a lighter natural color throughout. Not only with this freshen up your home, but it will make it feel cleaner and the space larger.
Set the mood.
When listing a home during the winter, HGTV recommends embracing the warm and cozy trend. If the weather outside is cold, turn up the heat- literally! Then create a feeling of warmth throughout the home, starting with the living room. Items like a throw blanket or cozy pillows can set the tone since buyers are in winter mode. Turn on the fireplace and use such seasonal touches like stacked wood. Play some relaxing music in the background, and offer some tasty seasonal treats. A cup of hot cocoa or a batch of chocolate chip cookies never hurt a seller’s prospects!
Limit holiday decor.
Both in your listing photos and during showings, limit the seasonal decor while you’re trying to sell. Opt for modest, neutral accessories, and natural items. Think fresh greenery, acorns, cranberries, lanterns, and candles. Of course, people expect some holiday decor this time of year but apply simple and classic concepts and choose Christmas items that truly flatter the space rather than just adding clutter.
Despite what the market has previously taught us, a winter listing isn’t necessarily a bad idea. In fact, experts suggest that winter home sales may actually be a growing trend! Buyers who shop for homes during the winter often tend to be more serious, and with career-related relocations becoming more common, many buyers don’t have the luxury to delay their purchase until the spring or summer. So if you want to put your home on the market, don’t wait for sunnier skies and contact the Michelle Clark Team today!