The housing market for 2021-22 is the hottest one in memory, and available homes are selling faster than ever before, even in the winter. Traditionally, the best time to list a house is in the spring or summer when more people are out looking for houses. However, it is still possible to sell your home in the winter with a bit of care and preparation.
Establishing a winning curb appeal can be difficult in the winter. Your landscaping could be covered in snow or your lawn may be brown, but there are a few things that you can do to bring your house to life, even in the winter.
One of the advantages of selling your home in the winter is the availability of motivated buyers. Most people or companies like that are looking to buy a house in the winter are doing so because they have a particular need, like relocating for work. If you are looking to sell your home in the winter, here are a few tips to help you make a faster sale.
Benefits of Selling in the Winter
Homeowners may be nervous about selling their homes during the winter. But, there are actually some advantages of a holiday season sale. The most important benefit of selling in the winter is that you are less likely to have much competition from other properties. You may also have more time buyers who are off work on focused on finding the right property. You will have no problem finding an experienced agent when they require new listings in the winter.
Challenges of a Winter Sale
If you are attempting to sell your home in the winter, you could be facing a challenge. With the booming housing market trend, you have picked a good time to offload your home regardless of the season. However, winter home sales can be affected by some of these challenges:
Low-Ball Offers
- Potential buyers may assume that if you list your home for sale in the winter, you may be desperate to unload your property resulting in multiple low-ball offers. Stay firm on your price and wait for the right buyer.
Curb Appeal
- Most homes do not look their best in the winter. More effort will be required to make your home look more attractive in the winter.
Financing Delays
- You could experience financing delays as more people take their vacation time during the winter and there are more bank holidays.
Tips for a Faster Winter Home Sale
Online Listing
During the winter, people interested in are more likely to be browsing online instead of driving through neighborhoods. Your online real estate listing should reflect everything your house has to offer. If you are selling privately, a winter sale will require you to boost your online listing. Make sure that you highlight all the great details about your home to help you bring in more interest. Detailed listings are twice as likely to get attention and results than vague advertisements.
Professional Photography
It’s hard to sell a home when all you can see in your photographs is snow and ice. If you are listing your home in the winter, you can benefit from investing in a . A photographer will know how to use the unique light at your property to show it at its best. Your interior photos will look more vibrant, and you will be able to highlight the features of your home more accurately.
Snow and Ice
Listing your home for sale in the winter means that people will be visiting for a tour. To keep your home looking its best in the winter, it’s important to keep the snow and ice away. Always have your driveway and walkways cleared and don’t allow icicles to hang from your eaves or porch.
Keep It Warm
You want to welcome potential buyers into a warm and cozy environment. When preparing for your open house event, make sure to turn your thermostat up just a touch. It is more difficult in a warm home to feel any breezes or be reminded of the frigid temperatures. A will help to create a relaxing and homey space for your guests to view your home.
Strategic Pricing
Selling your home in the winter can be a challenge. Discuss your asking price with your realtor and make sure that you stay in a fair range. You don’t have to list your home at a price that is below its value, but reasonable pricing will help you get more offers during the winter months.
Simple Decorations
If you are during the holiday season, it’s important to keep your decorations simple and to a minimum. You may have potential buyers from all different faiths come to view your home, so it’s important to be sensitive to these differences. Seasonal rather than religious decor is appropriate when showing your home during the holidays.
Spice It Up
A home that smells great can have a positive effect on potential buyers. While you don’t want to overwhelm the senses, lighting a warm and soothing candle or having fragrant potpourri in several areas of the home can help your house to smell like a cozy home.
Make It Cozy
The winter is a perfect time to show off the cozy features of your home. If you have a fireplace, turn it on or light it up before your showings. Add a few cozy blankets around your home draped on the furniture to .
Turn On the Lights
The daylight hours are limited in the winter. A good rule is to schedule your showings for early in the day. However, it’s important to light up your home for evening showings so that your potential buyers can see all of its features.
Many buyers cruise by homes for sale in the evenings. If you are listing your home for sale in the winter, you should invest in some outdoor lighting that will illuminate the front of your home so that it can be seen clearly from the street.
Selling your home in the winter may be a challenge, but if you follow these tips, you may be able to make a faster sale.