With the rush of the holidays comes a slower-paced season for housing. Fear not, however! While there is typically less inventory around during the winter months, sellers have a unique opportunity to stand-out from their competition and truly shine. With the right staging and finesse, you can increase your chances of landing a sale and for the price you’re looking for.
- Don’t neglect the basics. Just because the weather is colder doesn’t mean you should neglect the outside of your home or the yard around it. Clean up the lawn in the fall to prepare for winter showings. If there are any repairs necessary for the outside of the house—roofing problems, a new paint job, etc.—plan ahead to complete these tasks before showing the home. Exterior curb appeal still counts for buyers rushing for the warmth of indoors.
- Take advantage of a seasonal interior. Make the inside of your home feel as warm as possible. Crank up the heat or start a fire in the fireplace. The goal is to paint a picture for buyers to see themselves living in your home. Maximize the space of each room by cleaning up clutter or rearranging the furniture. Do anything and everything to make it feel warm and inviting.
- Make sure to keep the home’s paths clear. It may seem obvious, but it is crucially important to keep your walkways and driveway clear of ice or debris. For homeowners who have already vacated, this may be a challenging aspect of the home-selling process. Keep in mind that many buyers and agents may not want to deal with a home that’s difficult to get into.
- Light it up. Make sure all of the home’s lights are on. If the home is being shown during the day, open the curtains and let the natural light shine through. Make the home look as bright as possible and worry about the electricity bill later.
- Keep holiday decor conservative. Although you will be tempted to make your home stand out, keep decorations in check and don’t overdue it on outdoor lighting. Avoid overly religious decorations, as to not offend anyone.
If your home is properly staged, fixed-up and ready to go, you won’t suffer from a drought of interested buyers. Always putting your best foot forward is the best strategy to have no matter what the season.
Source: Associated Press