Selling Your Home in the Winter? Why Not?

Thinking of Selling Your Home in the Winter? Why Not?

The winter months in the northeast can be a dreary time of year and many sellers don’t believe it’s a good time to put their home on the market because buyers hibernate and wait for spring to purchase home.  WRONG!

It’s a fact that serious home buyers don’t care what the weather is like;  then there are the buyers relocating to the area who don't have time to wait, even if the weather (or the house) isn't perfect. 

For those sellers questioning whether now is the time to sell, you should know inventory often shrinks during the winter, and with fewer homes on the market, it should be easier to get your home sold.

In order to make your home more desirable during this gloomy time of year you may want to use the following tips:

• Be sure to remove any ice or snow from walkways whenever buyers visit.  Make certain the steep driveway has been cleared of ice, and do whatever you need to do to make certain the walking and driving areas safe.  Create a place for the buyers to place their wet boots and umbrellas upon entering the home.

• It is dark in the winter, and when a buyer is coming through at 6 p.m., you need to make arrangements to have the lights turned on.  Making the home as light as possible will make it inviting. All lights, including closet lights and storage areas should be turned on. Open shades and blinds to let in natural light and warmth.

• Place an album of photos gardens in bloom in the center of the kitchen table to show how the landscaping will look in the non-winter months.

• Create a warm and welcoming ambiance to encourage the buyers to stick around and envision living in your home.  The thermostat should be set to a comfortable level (between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit).  Highlight the functioning fireplace without turning it on by placing a grouping of flameless candles inside.

If would like to talk about the market value of your home and the pros of selling during the winter months, contact me today, unlike a hibernating bear, I’m a busy beaver in the winter.

Thinking of Selling Your Home in the Winter? Why Not?