7 Ways to Prepare For a Winter Sale
When selling in winter, without the benefit of warmer weather and more natural light to help bring out your property’s best features, it’s even more important to make sure your home is looking its best and stands out from the crowd. Here are several ways you can ensure your home is properly prepared for a successful winter sale.
Temperature
If you’re setting up your home for an open inspection in winter, there is no escaping the fact it is cold outside so the first thing to consider is your home’s temperature. Make a good first impression by ensuring your home is nice and warm. If you are lucky enough to have a wood burning stove or fireplace, now is the time to put It to good use.
An important thing to remember though, is that most people will be in winter clothing so don’t overdo it. You should be aiming for comfortably warm rather than oven like conditions.
Let There Be Light
With the sun lower at this time of year, the natural light in your have may be different or even less than in other seasons. Pay particular attention to the times of the day when it gets the best natural light and consider speaking with your agent to set your inspection times accordingly.
Look carefully at the current lighting situation in your home. Is it bright enough?
You really don’t want any areas or rooms to appear gloomy as this can be a major turn off for potential buyers. If your home doesn’t benefit from the a lot of natural light at this time of year, consider swapping globes for brighter ones, adding in extra lamps or even using candles to create a more natural lighting look.
If you are lucky enough to have a north facing home that gets tonnes of light, make sure you have cleaned your windows so the light shining through is really putting on a show.
Make Buyers Feel Warm & Fuzzy
Everybody loves feeling warm & cosy in winter, so make sure your home’s interior reflects this at the open inspection. The best way to do this is by layering textures and fabrics that will help trap heat. For floor coverings thing plush floor rugs, while the use of extra cushions, blankets and throws in wool or faux can ramp up the cosines factor in living areas and bedrooms.
It is also a good idea to think about using winter colours by choosing walm tones for any soft furnishings or general décor you are bringing into the home.
Properties with wood burning stoves or fireplaces come into their own at this time of year so if your home has either of these, make sure it is lit and gently burning in time for the open home.
Don’t Overlook the Outside
Buyers don’t expect lush green lawns and gardens in full bloom at this time of year, but they do expect well maintained outdoor areas and backyards. Both can also add value to your home on sale day.
Enlist household members or the services of a professional gardener to undertake a big backyard clean up, making sure everything is neatly trimmed an mulched as well as raking up leaves and other debris.
After all the rain some areas have had this year, mould, algae, and lichen may have taken hold in the shadier parts of your garden or paved outdoor spaces so pay particular attention to these. You may need specialist products and a high-pressure cleaner to get some areas clean so don’t leave this job to the last minute.
If you have an outdoor entertaining area, consider setting it up with plush rugs, throws or cushions on outdoor furniture to give off the appeal of a cosy winter dining area. If you have one, placing a fire pit nearby also helps buyers see it as a valuable all seasons entertaining space.
Maximise Curb Appeal
During winter inspections buyers may make a beeline inside to be out of the cold but they will still be paying close attention to a home’s exterior. Take a good look at the outside of your property, after all this will be the first this potential buyers see. It’s always smart to make a good first impression. A deep clean of the exterior can work wonders, washing down paintwork, dusting off cobwebs and polishing windowpanes. Consider investing in professional house washing if you’re time poor and the budget will stretch to it.
Try sprucing your front door area up with new house numbers, pot plants, outdoor lighting fixtures, or even a new doormat. A fresh coat of paint or stain can also go a long way to creating a strong first impression.
Clean, Declutter and Deodorise
Like when selling at any time of year, it is a no brainer to clean and declutter your house. This maximises its appeal to potential buyers and helps them better picture themselves living in the space.
It might be a cold and uninviting space at this time of year, but potential buyers will still want to check out the garage. Keep it as clean and clutter free as the rest of your home, moving bulky items to off-site storage and tidying any remaining items as neatly as possible.
Don’t forget about odours. Food, pets, and people all create odours that it’s all too easy to become accustomed to. Keep on top of odours by cleaning and airing your home more regularly than normal during the sale campaign.
Bring In Some Greenery
The leaves might have fallen but bringing some greenery into your open home, such as a vase of fresh flowers. They will look great and smell fantastic. You might also like to add more foliage in the form of succulents or other plants, but just make sure it’s all in keeping with the warm, winter vibe you’re creating in the home.
For more tips contact us today to chat to one of our agents.
