Spring and summer have historically been the optimal time for homeowners to put their homes on the market. Along with the advantage of the milder weather, many home buyers often prefer to shop for a home during the summer so that they can accomplish a family move while their kids are on summer break. While a winter home sale may not have these advantages, it can still be a very successful time for homeowners to sell their home. If you are planning to put your home on the market this winter, these timely tips can help you overcome the challenges of the season and go on to secure a successful home sale.
1. Prevent winter weather from becoming a distraction
Ice and snow can kill buyer interest quickly, but sellers can take proactive steps to prevent this problem from affecting their home sale. To do this, sellers should always make sure that their driveways, walkways, patios, and all access and exit points of the home are free of snow and ice and safe for buyers and buyer agents to use.
2. Schedule the initial listing date and the open house around major seasonal events
One problem that winter home sales must face is the crowded calendar of holidays, local school events, and community activities. To avoid having your home's initial listing date or open house overshadowed by any of these events, be sure to schedule around as many of these events as possible.
3. Make viewings memorable with seasonal treats and decor
Chilly temps, overcast skies, and freezing rain and snow can all serve to dampen the spirits of prospective buyers who view homes during the winter. Sellers can help revive these buyer's spirits and make their home more memorable to them by choosing to offer seasonal treats and tasteful, but cheerful decor. For example, leaving a tray of fragrant, freshly baked cookies and warm spiced cider out for buyers to enjoy can help to encourage them to remain in the home and help to ensure they remember it when making their final selection. To make your home even more memorable, consider placing a tasteful wreath on the door and using holiday candles to add warmth and light.
4. Partner with a listing agent with an optimal marketing strategy
While any winter home sale can have challenges beyond those experienced in a spring or summer market, sellers who choose the right listing agent to assist them will be better equipped to succeed. When interviewing listing agents for your winter home sale, look for indications of strong marketing skills and strategies, as well as good referrals from previous clients. Make sure to ask questions like, "How can you sell my home quickly and for the right price?"
Hello, my name is Ben Hatten. Welcome to my website about selling your home on the real estate market. When I was ready to sell my home, I thought that the process would go smoothly from start to finish, so I did not acquire help from an agent. After learning about all the things that could go wrong, I decided to enlist the help of an agent to sell my home with assistance. I created this site to help everyone prepare for the process of selling their home with help from an agent. I hope you will come by often to learn more. Thanks.