While many real estate agents recommend that would-be home sellers put their houses on the market in the spring, there are some specific advantages to selling during other times of the year.
Winter can be a prime time to list your home—so long as you work with the season rather than fight against it. When done right, you can turn a dark and dingy house sheathed in snow into a cozy and welcoming haven for potential buyers.
Don’t Drop Your Price
Just because you’re selling your home during the off-season doesn’t mean you have to reduce your price. Since every other homeowner thinks they should wait until spring to sell, potential buyers in your area may not have many options. As a result, they’ll be more open-minded while shopping around. Plus, people who are in the market for a home this time of year are serious about buying. You won’t come across as many people who are simply “looking” at houses as you might during busier times of the year.
Before you land on a price for your home, do some research to uncover the pricing trends for other homes in your area. Focus on the prices of comparable properties near your home with similar features and square footage.
Keep Those Receipts Organized
Keeping your receipts organized is a must when preparing to sell your house. Documentation for home improvements, repairs, and maintenance can help demonstrate the value you’ve added to your property and justify your asking price. These records may also be necessary for tax purposes—especially if you’re eligible for deductions or need to establish a cost basis. Having well-organized receipts streamlines the selling process and instills confidence in potential buyers by showcasing your attention to detail and the care you’ve put into your home.
Stick to Staging Basics
Regardless of when you decide to sell your home, you should always focus on the standard methods of staging. When you work to boost the appeal of your home, you increase the chances of drawing in more buyers while improving the chances of selling at a higher price. As you go about preparing your home for sale, make sure you’re getting professional-quality photos of your home taken for listings, cleaning up rooms, clearing away the clutter and personal belongings, and highlighting your home’s best features.
Pay Attention to Curb Appeal
Even if cold temperatures mean dead flower beds and heavy snow, you still have to focus on curb appeal. During the winter, make sure snow is shoveled away from the driveway, walkway, and steps. You may want to install additional outdoor lights to accommodate evening viewings with shorter daylight hours. Then, add pops of color to your entrance to help your home stand out from the competition. A wonderful way to do this is to repaint your front door in a bright red, blue, or yellow tone.
Go Easy on the Holiday Décor
Some tasteful holiday decorations can help potential buyers picture their own holiday celebrations in the home. However, going too crazy with the lights or festive trinkets can be a big distraction, and religious decorations can make it challenging for buyers to picture themselves living in the home if they don’t have the same beliefs. Opt for subtle wintery decorations, like a garland on your mantle or white lights in your shrubbery. And if you usually get a tree, make sure it fits nicely in your home. A tree that is too large or overpowering might cause buyers to question whether the home has adequate space for celebrations and family gatherings.
Keep It Warm and Cozy
When potential buyers come to visit your home, they should feel comfortable and cozy, especially when the weather is miserable outside. Serve hot chocolate and light a fire in the fireplace to nicely complement falling snow or brisk temperatures outside. Make sure you turn on all of the lights to keep the dark and gloom outdoors. Plus, the bright rooms will appear inviting as buyers pull up to your house. Furthermore, don’t be frugal with the thermostat. Keep the temperature in your home at 72 degrees Fahrenheit so everyone feels comfortable. This will also give buyers the impression that your home is well insulated.
Don’t Forget the Moving Logistics
You can get so caught up in selling your home that you forget about moving day. Since the weather tends to be less kind this time of year, you may find that driving a moving truck just isn’t safe. Therefore, you may want to consider hiring professional assistance to pack and move your belongings for you. Just make sure to research companies and price quotes before hiring anyone. And be sure to book a service well in advance to give you peace of mind and focus your energy on other important home-selling tasks.
With all of the advantages of selling your home during the off-season, why not give it a try? Remember that most home buyers conduct a good portion of their search online. So, make sure your online listing and photos really show off your home’s selling points!