6 Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter
Are you selling your home this winter? You’re probably aware that spring and summer are known as the best time to sell a home. But if you’re a military family with orders in hand, waiting a few extra months for the traditional moving season to roll in might not be a luxury you have. You might be surprised to know that there are several advantages to selling your home during the holiday season.
If you’re already prepping for a Winter Exodus PCS, here are a few ways to prep your home for sale despite the snow:
1. Embrace the season.
The holiday season is known for being cheery, warm, and cozy—that’s why we all love it, right? The yummy smells, twinkling lights, and seasonal music bring out our more sentimental side.
This season tends to be more emotional for most, and tasteful decor might make it easier for potential buyers to feel at home. Soon, they’ll find themselves picturing their families opening presents or baking grandma’s cookies in your space.
2. Get creative with curb appeal.
You can make a great first impression without the lush green landscaping that accompanies your home during the summer. You might just have to get a little creative.
Need some ideas?
- Hang a wreath on the door.
- Put mini Christmas trees on the front porch.
- Clear out debris.
- Clean gutters.
- Keep the driveway and sidewalk shoveled.
- Have a welcome mat.
- Paint the front door.
3. Let in the light.
Open the curtains. Surround home shoppers with indoor holiday magic with the gentle reminder of the cold wind blowing outside. There’s nothing like the view of gray clouds to accentuate the smell of cookies baking, Christmas decor, and the fire keeping them warm inside.
And then there’s the more universal reason—to let in as much natural light as possible. We always recommend lots of light to make your space feel more open…and often bigger.
4. Put your boxes elsewhere.
Why should you move your extra boxes and storage offsite? It’s simple. Boxes piled sky-high will tell buyers there isn’t enough space in the home and keep them from seeing the size of your space and rooms.
It’s best to rent a storage unit to keep extra or unnecessary items until you’re ready to sort through them or move them to your next duty station.
Related: How to Market Your Home During the Holidays
5. Invest in your home advertisement.
What does it take to catch a homebuyer’s eye online? Professional quality photos, an amazing description, details of the neighborhood and surrounding area, and a virtual tour. A memorable online advertisement sets your house apart when the market is booming in the spring and summer. Cn you imagine how crucial it is during the winter?
No matter your location during this season, how badly do you want to stay tucked in with your blanket watching Hallmark Christmas movies and sipping hot cocoa? That’s how we’re all feeling. House hunters are going to do as much as they can from the warmth of their couch.
Your photos, description, and virtual tour will get your interested party in the door. From there, your home will do the rest.
Note: Be sure to include non-seasonal photos in your ad so buyers can see what your property looks like without the snow and seasonal decor.
6. Complete your cold-weather maintenance checklist.
You want buyers to know that your home has been cared for and that you perform regular maintenance to keep it fully functioning. A cold draft will leave room for doubt and make buyers question other areas of the home. Instead of walking around falling in love with all the gorgeous finishes, they’ll tiptoe room to room looking for flaws.
Here’s some practical advice from our post 10 Tips for Selling Your Home in the Off-Season: “Home buyers will notice cold, drafty homes. Get your home’s HVAC system serviced, change out air filters, and spend time replacing weather stripping around windows and doors. If you have a fireplace, arrange for a chimney cleaning.”
Ready to put your cozy home on the market? Attract other military families facing an off-season PCS and advertise your beautiful home on MilitaryByOwner!
By Danielle Keech for MilitaryByOwner
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