Winter is great, because buyers are really out shopping. You don’t have a lot of “just shopping” when it is freezing out. So, your pool of buyers that come through the house have carefully selected doing so, and so did their agent. Take advantage of that!!!
Selling Your home in the Winter months begins by selecting a realtor that is dedicated to their work. How do you know that? Call them. Do they answer the phone, do they call back in a timely manner, (less than 2 hours)? Are they available and respond by text or email? Are they out showing in the winter, to buyers? Are they active in the market? Or, are they on vacation, calling the shots? I work 24/7. Why? Because this market requires it. If I wait, you wait. I am not ok with that.
Secondly, The outside “curb appeal” has to be attractive, in the winter too. Even more so, as you don’t have green grass making things prettier. So, make sure the driveways, sidewalks and pathways are clear. If the snow is DIRTY, shovel and move it. Buy a small pine tree, or foliage to greet buyers at the door, in a decorative pot. Remove all garbage cans, bikes, sleds, and dog feces from the yard. It shows. The home should have a bright, fresh front door to stand out among the rest. Be accessible. Please don’t ask us to use the back door to show your home, if we have to go through the snow. Clear, safe, front door access. Brighten shutters by painting them or buying and installing new ones. Take your Christmas lights down. Shake your front bushes off, so they stay nice, and look good. Make sure your gardens are picked up, buckets and tools and piles of brush. Wood piles orderly and kept.
Thirdly, home should smell good. Sense of smell is our strongest sense and leads us to a lot of subliminal decisions. Don’t have so much fragrance in the house no one can breathe, but a good, neutral smell can really go a long way. Natural smells, such as lemon, cinnamon, and lavender are homing and calming. Don’t overdo it, a little goes a long way.
Fourthly, Make sure your pets are in crates, or not home, and not detectable! We should not see evidence of an animal, and for sure not smell them.
And finally, a whole bunch of tips:
1. Have a cozy, crackling fire (or not). If you have a gas fireplace or new clean-burning woodstove, go ahead and light a fire to welcome visitors. But if your home’s wood-burning fireplace is older and leaves a smoky smell in the room, hold off. Those with allergies or smoke sensitivities can be turned off — or literally turned away when they have to go outside. No fire? Consider offering warm apple cider instead.
2. Keep entryways scrupulously clean. As with any time of year, a clean and clutter-free house will sell more easily (and maybe at a higher price) than one with more visible clutter. During winter it is especially important to remove mucky boots outside and keep family gear hidden in a closet or trunk, where potential buyers won’t trip over them. A Swiffer-style mop kept in the coat closet can be used to quickly freshen entry floors before each showing.
3. Give each room a warm touch. A folded throw draped over the back of an armchair, a plump quilt at the foot of the bed or an area rug in warm hues are a few small additions that will make a big difference in the way a room feels to prospective buyers. Also, be sure that every light is on — even for daytime showings. Winter days can be quite dim, and your house will look its best when it’s as warmly lit as possible.
4. Show how outdoor rooms can be used even in the coldest months. If you have a covered porch or outdoor fireplace, be sure to keep the area fully furnished. Turn on outdoor lights, build a fire in the fireplace and drape a few thick throws over your outdoor furniture.
5. Emphasize spaces that will appeal in winter. Basement playrooms, indoor exercise areas, heated toolsheds and the like will be especially welcome in a place with a cold winter. Remove all unrelated stuff to make the purpose of the room clear, and be sure to have your Realtor bring it up when showing the house to potential buyers.
6. Showcase the entertaining possibilities of your home. Winter is prime time for festive parties and holiday open houses, so whet prospective buyers’ appetites with an enticing display. Set out stacks of plates and fresh flowers on a dining room buffet or display holiday cookies on cake stands in the kitchen.
7. Use structural elements in the garden for winter interest. In the middle of winter, it can be hard to visualize a blooming garden. Large urns and planters, benches, rock walls and other garden structures will help buyers see the potential even in the snow.
8. Clear all exterior pathways of snow and ice. Nothing will turn away potential buyers faster than a treacherously icy path. Open-house guests should be able to easily walk all the way around the house and access outbuildings. Provide as much off-street (snow-cleared) parking as you can to make things easy for visitors.
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