Curb Appeal in Winter Months - Even More Important!
John Helm is an experienced Realtor® with Keller Williams Market Pro Realty, who lives and works in Northwest Arkansas, serving Fayetteville AR, Springdale AR, Rogers AR, Bentonville AR, Bella Vista AR and many smaller communities in the area.
If you are a homeowner who's trying to sell your home during the winter months, it is extremely important that you do everything you can to make your home the most attractive it can be for all potential buyers who are cruising through your neighborhood. As a matter of fact, your homes curb appeal may be even more important in the winter, than it is in the summer months because there's less you can do to improve the attention grabbing features of your home.
In the summer months there's lots we can do with flowers, bushes and neatly trimmed green lawns, but inthe winter we need to try harder to keep the home looking it's best from the outside. These are just some of the things you should be doing to help increase the selling possibilities of your home;
1) If there's snow or ice on your driveway or sidewalks....Get It Removed!!!!! ASAP!!!! Not only does snow and ice make it dangerious for the usual delivery people, but if a prospective homebuyer and real estate agent comes to see your home, you don't want them falling down on your property, like I did yesterday when showing a home. As the homeowner, there's all kinds of bad things that can happen....broken bones or other injuries, lawyers and lawsuits and no sale. Take care of business and keep the ice and snow off all areas possible.
2) Make sure there is a front door mat and a rug inside the front door of the home for buyers and agent to wipe their feet on. Not only will you give the visitors a chance to help you keep your home cleaner, again you're showing curtesy an concern for people coming into your home with wet feet, and possible slip and fall concerns.
3) Lighting: Make sure interior lights are on, even during daylight areas and be sure to open drapes and shades to make the interior as bright as possible. As an agent who shows homes on a daily basis, I can advise you that first impressions are formed within seconds of entering the front door. A dark interior gives a negative impression and shows a thoughtless attitude for visitors you know are coming to your home.
Also important, especially during winter months is outdoor lighting. With darkness coming so early during this time of the year, make sure your outdoor lights are on. Give your home as much help as possible by letting it show off what it has to offer, even during darkness. You also help eliminate tripping and falling hazards.
4) Smells & Odors: It's especially easy for odors to build up inside homes during the winter months because doors and windows are opened less often. Insure that you keep the home well cleaned and odor free during the whole year, but be especially mindful right now.
Since we live in our homes all the time, we may not even notice the odors that will draw the attention of visitors. Invite a friend or neighbor to stop over to smell your home. If they are a good friend or neighbor, they won't mind stopping in to assist. Impress on them your need for an unbiased and honest opinion of your homes smell....and appearance. Ask for honesty, then be willing to accept it without becoming upset...then make any needed changes.
These are just a few thoughts on how to improve your chance of selling your home during the winter. If you live anywhere in Benton County or Washington County Arkansas and you need additional information, opinions or advise on selling your home, please contact me anytime.
John Helm, Realtor® Cell: (479)287-9439 Office: (479)718-2800 Keller Williams Market Pro Realty www.NWAUpscaleHomes.com www.NWAHomeSale.com
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