5 Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter

Let’s face it…selling your house in winter is probably one of the last things you would choose to do voluntarily. The time between Thanksgiving and the New Year is a notoriously difficult time to sell as most people are focused on the holidays and spending time with family. Historically, many homeowners have taken their homes off of the market if they haven’t sold by mid-November, and while that notion is understandable, it’s not always necessary. There are some circumstances that require selling your home in winter, for instance a job transfer or a change in your personal life. Don’t fret if you find yourself selling in the dead of winter, we’ve got some easy tips to give you the best chance of a quick winter sale:

First things first…

No matter the season, to ensure your house sell quickly you must take care of all necessary repairs and maintenance. That includes giving the house a thorough cleaning and de-cluttering.

Pricing your home competitively and aggressively is essential to getting a quick sale in winter. Check the recent sale prices in your neighbourhood, or ask your Spectrum Agent what the average sale price is for a similar property. If your property is priced aggressively, it will sell no matter what time of the year it is.

Stage the home to sell.

Home staging is important whether it is winter or summer…but in the winter months it is important to think ‘warm and cozy’ when staging. If you are still living in the property, make sure it is a comfortable temperature when people come to view the home. Turn up the thermostat, and put a log on the fire (if you have one). Light a beautifully scented candle, or if you have the time, bake a batch of cookies. Nothing says ‘home’ like the smell of yummy baked goods wafting from the kitchen.

If you are no longer living in the property, it’s a good idea to leave a few pieces of furniture behind so viewers get a better sense of the property in situ. Again, try to warm up the house before any potential viewers come through – in this case an open house would be ideal as your agent will have time to get the heat cranked up before anyone walks through.

Lights on!

The winter months are notoriously dark and gloomy. Encourage showings during the daytime to give potential buyers the best perspective of your home in the natural light. Be sure to open the blinds, and turn the lights on (even in the daytime)…and make sure you’ve cleaned the windows too! If you must show the home in the evening, turn on all the lights, both inside and out. Keep the house well lit, even if you are no longer currently living there, a few lamps on a timer will do the trick nicely.

Curb Appeal Still Counts.

Curb appeal is just as important in winter as it is in summer, so make sure you clean up the yard and take care of any little touch-ups to the exterior of the property. Further to that you should keep the sidewalks, driveway, and other walkways clear of snow and ice. This may be difficult to maintain if you are no longer living in the property, but it is worth paying a snow removal company in that case. Not only for safety, but also aesthetics and competition. Although there are fewer houses on the market in the winter, there are also fewer buyers so you must stand out against the competition. A few seasonal lights on the house is nice too…but steer clear of any National Lampoon’s style decorating!

Celebrate the holidays.

With winter comes holidays…don’t miss out on the opportunity to show your house tastefully decorated for the season. A few seasonal touches will make your house stand out and make it feel more welcoming. Keep your decorations conservative and tasteful. A bit of greenery, a stylish wreath on the door, or some twinkling lights will give your house a seasonal lift and make potential buyers feel more at home.

Selling your home in winter doesn’t have to be a drag…follow our quick tips for season selling success!!