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5 Tips For Selling Your Central Oregon Home in the Winter

By
Real Estate Agent with West + Main

We all know that Central Oregon is known for the sunshine, the winters and the wonderful lifestyle so many want to enjoy.  Selling in the winter certainly brings some challenges that our Spring and Summer selling season does not.  Below is a list of things that every Central Oregon seller can do to make their home shine above the rest in the winter.

  1. Keep Walkways Clear of Clutter and Snow – while we cannot always be home to make sure the daily dusting of snow off the walkway, but you you certainly not have items cluttering the walk way or snow and ice from the week.  When buyers approach your home and have to climb through the snow they think of the work it will take to keep the walk way clear – when it is already clear – you have taken this obstacle away.
  2. Open the Blinds – Although Central Oregon does have the advantage of great sunlight through out the entire year even while snowing often a home can seem dark when the blind are closed.  Let the Sunshine in and make your home as light and bright as possible even on the darkest day an open blind will make a home brighter than a closed blind. Turn on the lights too, light makes people feel welcome.
  3. Keep The Heat ON – although we all want to save energy it is said that keeping a home a steady temperature costs the same or less than cranking the heat up when you get home.  Remember you don’t have to keep the house at 75 degrees to have it feel warm, your buyer is coming in from the cold a 70 degree home feels very toasty and welcoming.
  4. Mat on both sides of the door – This will not only help you keep your home cleaner – it will give the buyer the opportunity to not leave snow to melt on your floor.  If you are requesting a buyer take their shoes off – providing a place to do so is a great idea.  Winter shoes are not as easy to slide in and out of as those sandals of spring and summer were.
  5. Holiday Decorations – there is nothing wrong with decorating your home for the holidays, we all love the holiday spirit, but keep them to a limit so the buyer can still see your home.  It always amazes me at how many buyers will fall in love with a home, then say, “wait we need to go back, where will we put the Christmas Tree?”

Selling your home in the winter is not as difficult as many people might make it out to be.  Just remember, your buyer needs to feel, welcome and not overwhelmed.  To list your home this winter – drop me a email or give me a call I would be happy to assist you.

Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate

Sellers sometimes forget about the heat issue if they head out on a warmer afternoon, but as we know that can quickly change.

Nov 22, 2010 06:24 AM
Christianne O'Malley
Dickson Realty - Reno, NV
Exceptional Service - Delivering Results in Reno!

Thesa - Great list! I agree with you - they might as well decorate for the holidays. After all, sometimes that completely endears a home to prospective buyers (as long as it's tasteful and not overdone).

Nov 22, 2010 06:58 AM
Kat DeLong
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
REALTOR

GREAT tips, Thesa! I think many people can use these helpful ideas!  And congrat's on the gold star...you deserve it.

Nov 22, 2010 07:59 AM
Lisa Broadwater
Cascade Sotheby's International Realty - Sisters, OR
GRI, CDPE - Bend, Sisters, Tumalo, Redmond

Thesa -- As your list demonstrates, a few simple steps can make a big difference in whether a buyer walks away from your listing with a warm welcome or the cold shoulder. Well-put!

Nov 22, 2010 08:38 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Thesa - great tips for anywhere in the country, especially keeping those blinds and other window coverings open. I like the dual mats too.

Nov 22, 2010 08:46 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Thesa -- great tips... my personal favorite is this one  Keep Walkways Clear of Clutter and Snow.. I have had several buyers fall and hurt themselves... and they do not end up buying the home.

Nov 22, 2010 01:55 PM
Jeff Belonger
Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ
The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Thesa.. I agree, some good informatuon and tips here... especially the holiday decorations.. I think this would truly add to the home when selling it...

jeff belonger

Nov 22, 2010 03:52 PM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Thesa:

Everyone wants to know exactly where they would put the Christmas tree. So, it is helpful when one is already in the home.  I think nice holiday decorations can be positive for a home sale.

Nov 22, 2010 11:21 PM
Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Having lived in LaPine for 4 years, this list is a great eye opener for those who are selling.  As you point out, the open blinds make a world of difference when the sun is shining in, as it does so very many days, even in winter there.

Nov 23, 2010 05:31 AM
Anonymous
Dan

These, thank you for the tips and reminder.  Central Oregon winter selling tips look a lot like what agents like me have to preach in Anchorage Alaska :)  It makes a big differance when the driveway and sidewalks are clear of snow.  Remember to open the blinds so the room looks light and bright, too!

Nov 23, 2010 06:02 AM
#11
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Saving on heating is second nature in Maine. The kids learn early, shut that door, turn off those lights and are made to practice the routine to keep a warm home without costing a fortune. Great advice to study, put in to your day to day routine in winter, over the holidays. Have homes we sell that if a tenant cranked it to 78 degrees and told you they are away until end of next week, no one there, crank that dial down to conserve.

Nov 23, 2010 11:46 PM
Mel Wagner
Knipe Realty - Salem, OR
Principal Broker/Agent Salem Oregon Real Estate

Thesa-great tips on home selling in the winter.  Love the point about buyers needing to return to see where they would put their Christmas Tree.  I have also made those trips back for buyers to be sure there is a perfect spot for their tree. 

One of these days I need to make my way down to visit your lovely area.  I hear it is beautiful year around.

Dec 12, 2010 06:40 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Happy Holidays to you and yours. I thank you kindly for all or the great information that you have provided throughout the year.

Dec 25, 2010 04:55 AM
Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

Great list of winter tips. I usually remind sellers that its a must to leave the heat on in the winter, because it can help keep the water pipes warmer. Warm pipes don't freeze and burst and leave a mess. Thanks for the wonderful list of tips!

Jan 30, 2012 05:53 AM