10 Tips on Selling in Winter

Winter House by Antanas

Would be vendors often put off selling their home in winter, worried about bad weather putting their buyers off. But there are lots of advantages to selling your home in winter, and here are some tips to help.

Competition

Right now there is a serious shortage of homes of all types. This is often the case in winter but this year there seems to be a lot of buyers coming out of the woodwork! Many sellers are achieving premium prices.

All over the North Shore it seems that there are just not enough properties to go around all the buyers, with bidding wars and multiple offers occurring on properties that only a few months ago were hard to sell. Auctions at Cooper and Co are well attended with some great results for happy vendors. In some cases reserves have been eclipsed by more than $100,000!!

And its a lack of listings that is prompting this buyer competition. When there are fewer properties to see real estate agents concentrate their attention on the few that are on the market, it’s easier to stand out in the Property Press and on the Internet, and more buyers visit your property.

Don’t Wait for Spring

A lot of sellers are waiting for spring, but you might just miss out on a buoyant, competitive market. Soon there’ll be more homes on the market, more choice, and maybe your property will be less visible in a much bigger Property Press. So what do you need to do to make your home really saleable at this time of the year?

Warm and Inviting

When it’s cold and wet outside your home can be very inviting. If you have a fire, light it, and your home will appear warm and cheerful. A home that is warm and dry stands out from those that aren’t, and buyers will stay longer, especially if it’s wild and wet outside. Make your home warmer than usual, so buyers notice how warm and cosy it is.

Run a dehumidifier regularly in the days leading up to the open home, but put it away when buyers are coming through so the home does not look like it is hard to keep dry. Think about getting a home energy rating, so potential buyers can see how efficient your home is. you can get more information from the EECA (Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority).

Create the Mood

In winter, it’s easier to create a unique mood for your home. Place the furniture around a centrepiece in the main living area,, like the fireplace, and add cushions and throws to make the living area more cosy and inviting. Use warm colours. Do the same in the bedrooms, with pillows and duvets. Turn up your underfloor heating. If you have wooden floors, add some rugs. Right now the government is offering great subsidies to those that insulate their homes, and underfloor insulation is easy to install and relatively cheap.

Light and Bright

Sunshine is so important in winter! Make sure your home feels like it is getting lots of light and warmth from the sun. On the outside, trim back vegetation to let the light in and on the inside, open the blinds and curtains. Clean your windows regularly to let as much light as possible in. Paint the interior in light, neutral shades to reflect available light, add brightly coloured accessories and turn the lights on, especially in darker areas such as hallways. If you have a chandelier, the sparkling light in an entry way or living area all adds to that warm inviting feeling.

Outdoors

Before you put your property on the market deal with any leaks or mold. It’s always a good idea to use Wet and Forget on outdoor pathways, or waterblasting if in a hurry. Buyers will be looking for problems and a home that looks easy to keep clean, dry and warm in winter is a winner. Put in extra insulation, and block any draughts. Put a simple drain in any boggy areas in the garden. If you have an outdoor entertainment area, put out your garden furniture and if you have an outdoor patio heater, turn it on during open homes. Plant colourful plants, try putting some in pots around bare areas. Don’t forget to keep your lawns mown and keep those weeds down.Trim back trees from pathways, and spread a gravel path or paving stones in the garden. Have an umbrella handy for those wet days! Most importantly make sure your gutters and drains are clear so they don’t overflow.

Lighting

Shorter days means that your buyers are more likely to turn up at dusk and occasionally in the dark. Buyers on second visits will often ask to visit in the evening. Turn the lights on before they arrive so your home looks warm and inviting. Turning on outdoor lighting will make for a welcome entry and also highlight you outdoor living area. Pools and spa pools look great with the lights on and you’ll be able to highlight the great lifestyle your home affords.

Views

Try taking some photographs of the exterior and especially the view, or use the photos taken for your marketing and put them on display. When people visit at night or on cloudy days they will be able to see the view and outdoors.

At this time of the year, buyers are serious. Many buyers like to look at homes in the winter months, because they see them in a different light. The weather will filter out any tyre kickers and nosy neighbours. And when you sell in winter, you’ll be the one shopping for a home in spring, when all the other houses come on the market. There’ll be a bigger choice and you will be cashed up and in a good position to buy.

So don’t hesitate any longer! Give me a call on 0800 61 8888!