Winter is here. Time to put those moving plans on hold until Spring right?
Wrong!
People will traditionally advise you to sell your home during the warmer months.
It is true that the market is more popular in the warmer months. But that is one of the reasons you should avoid it!
Winter is actually a great time to sell your home. There is less competition in the market, buyers are more motivated at this time, and you can show how your house handles winter!
Let’s look at these points in a little more detail.
Buyers Are Motivated
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone who looks at your home will be interested in buying it. Often, people will come out and have a look around if they are “considering” buying a new home or selling their own. They may not be a serious buyer. And, the ones that are serious buyers will likely view multiple homes in one day.
Yet in wintertime, less people come out just to have a look around. With bad weather and cold temperatures to contend with, the browsers tend to stay at home. That is great news because it often means that only the serious buyers venture out. It increases your chances of getting interest and results from your open homes and viewings.
Show Your Home’s Winter-Readiness
The main reason people recommend that you sell in the warmer months is so that you can showcase your house it’s best light. Literally. The weather is lighter and brighter in summer, so it makes your home seem lighter and brighter by default. It can hide things that you might not notice until you move in and winter rolls around.
By selling in winter, you can showcase your house’s winter-readiness. Show people how cozy it is, that it is warm and dry, and a great place to hole up away from the weather.
Being winter-ready can be just as compelling as being light and bright in the summertime!
Less Competition On The Market
Because everyone tells you that you should sell in summertime, everyone tends to listen to that advice.
What does that mean?
That winter is the perfect time to list your home because no one else is doing it!
There is less competition on the market, meaning that there could be increased interest in your home. People who are wanting to get into the school your home is zoned for, to move into the area, or to simply upsize or downsize will be excited to see a great property available in their price range.
You Should Still Present Your House As Best You Can
Regardless of the time of year that you are selling, you want to make sure that your home is appealing to buyers. And if you are listing in winter, you need to be mindful of a few things that you wouldn’t have to consider in summertime.
Curb Appeal – The first impression is still very important. People may make a snap judgment on your home based on what it looks like from the outside. So, make sure you nail your curb appeal. Paint your front door a bright colour for a pop of personality, have some lovely winter friendly plants in the garden, sweep any leaves that have come off the trees, and make sure that it looks welcoming and inviting.
Turn On The Lights – The days tend to be darker in wintertime, so if the weather is a bit gloomy, flick the lights on. This will help potential buyers to see your home in its best light.
Make Sure It’s Warm – No one wants to buy a cold house! But a warm and cozy one is oh-so-inviting. If the day is a bit chilly, pop the heater on or light the fire. This will give a homely feel when your potential buyers walk in the door. It then becomes an inviting escape from the cold outside.
Think Like A Buyer – Think about the things that will matter to a buyer when you are preparing your home. Serious buyers consider the layout, the size of the yard, location, and if the property meets their requirements. It is less about the colour of the cushions and more about how appealing the home is. Make any repairs that need to be made, clean away signs of damp (including things like moss on the path outside), spruce the walls with a coat of paint, and create a cozy and inviting feel.
Winter can be a great time to sell your home, but part of making that dream a reality is choosing the right realtor to help you do it. Here at Tall Poppy, we are all about getting the best for our sellers. Get in touch with Michelle today to chat more about making the most of the winter selling opportunities.