You can sell your home in the winter
MetroCreative
MetroCreative
You don’t have to wait until spring to sell your home.
MetroCreative
Little touches help your home look cozy in the winter.
MetroCreative
Little touches can make your home look cozy in the winter.
MetroCreative
Keep your driveway and sidewalks clear of snow if selling your house in the winter.
Experts say you don’t have to wait until spring to put your home on the market. Winter has its own advantages for home sales.
“The winter months are actually a great time to list a house,” said Bruce Roby, of Remax Professionals in Uniontown and president of Fayette Board of Realtors. “There is less inventory on the market and your house can stand out among the ones for sale.”
People are looking for homes throughout the year so don’t think cold weather will stop them.
“There are people out all the time,” said Roby. “I’ve been out in 10-degree weather showing houses.”
And the Fayette Board of Realtors explained many buyers are searching for homes online no matter the weather.
Roby noted, “Work with your realtor to have professional, staged photos taken of your home. Highlight all of the features of your property so a potential buyer can see the benefits from the comfort of their current home.”
That includes using photos of your home during warm weather months when you can show off features that might otherwise not be seen in the winter.
“Especially if you put a lot into landscaping,” noted Roby.
Daniel Matthews, of SWC Realty, which has local offices in Uniontown, Connellsville and Waynesburg, said, “It’s always a plus if you have a pool that is closed in the winter to provide photos to showcase the facilities.”
If potential buyers are coming to see your home, you want it to look it’s best.
Roby said, “Make sure the sidewalks and the parking area are shoveled.”
Matthews said, “Make sure everything is well lit because it gets darker earlier. You want to create a pleasant and welcoming environment as someone pulls in so people are not walking through snow to get to your house.”
Once inside, be aware of winter’s dirt that can get into your home and that potential buyers will also want to keep your house clean.
Roby advised, “In the winter, people want to take their shoes off so it’s a good idea to have a place for shoes.”
Winter can also be a good time to play up the features of your home.
Matthews noted, “It’s a chance to showcase that your furnace is in working order.”
Roby said, “It’s always nice if you have a gas fireplace to have it on to make the house look cozy.”
And there are homes that look particularly welcoming in the winter.
Matthews added, “A lot of homes, depending on the decor, show better in the winter. If you have a rustic décor and cozy atmosphere, play to that. Make sure your decorations are seasonally appropriate.”
But Roby observed, “I think it’s good to keep in mind that different people have different tastes. Use common sense. Someone might think of something as a country home while another might look at it as cluttered.”
Lit candles and hot chocolate on the stove can also create an inviting atmosphere but Roby added that some people might find this overpowering or think the seller is using the scent to cover up something. Again, use common sense.
Be alert to winter weather and prepared to deal with it when showing off your house. But if you want to sell, there’s no need to wait.
Even though it’s cold outside, people are always looking for a home.
“If you’re considering waiting until spring, you’d be surprised how much attention and exposure you will get now,” said Matthews, “because buyers are still looking even when the snow is flying.”