Selling your home can be a daunting task. You are leaving a place of comfort and timeless memories. Moving on from a home like that can be frightening, especially when trying to sell your home in the winter. Luckily for you, selling your home in the winter isn’t as bad as it may seem. Try out some of the home-selling tips for winter!

Why Is Winter A Good Time To Sell Your Home?

Why Is Winter A Good Time To Sell Your Home

You might think winter is a bad time to sell your home, but in reality, there are always people looking to purchase new homes.

If you're like most homeowners, when you think about selling your home, spring and summer come to mind. The weather is nicer, there's more daylight available to show potential buyers around, and families are often in a better financial position to purchase a new home. However, don't let the cooler weather dissuade you from putting your home on the market – especially if you're motivated to sell quickly. Although it may take a bit more effort than in the spring or summer months, selling your home in winter is easily achievable with some careful planning.

If you are patient and take the time to properly prepare and showcase your home, you can find a buyer even in these colder months. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.

 

Tips For How To Sell A House Quickly In The Winter

Selling a home in the winter is not the same as selling in the spring or summer, there are many different factors that need to be considered, from less natural light to how much seasonal decor is appropriate.

If you’re planning to sell your home in the winter, use these tips to impress potential buyers.

Snowscape Your Yard - Snow removal is crucial. Ensure that your potential buyers and visitors won’t have to trudge through snow and ice to get to your front door by shoveling the path to the front door and driveways and clearing snow from spots where they are likely to park. Shovel and salt your walkways early and often because clearing it becomes challenging once it has been driven or stepped on. Additionally, allocate a mat or spot for potential homebuyers to place their boots or shoes upon viewing. This small gesture can go a long way towards making them feel at home.

Decorate your home with lights and seasonal decor - Did you know 65% of top agents say adding the right touch of holiday cheer with decorations can help attract buyers? Displaying simple indoor and outdoor holiday lights up can add a cozy touch to the house. Try to refrain from flashy, blow-up, or over-the-top decorations. Make sure your holiday decorations inside the home match your regular decor to avoid clashing designs. Furthermore, select a holiday tree that fits your space, so it doesn’t make the room feel crowded or small.

Maintain a comfortable home temperature - Even if you normally like to keep the thermostat low to save on energy costs, when selling your home, you need to think more about the guests’ comfort. Keep your home comfortable and warm so guests feel welcome and cozy upon entry. A good starting point is to keep the home at a steady 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during showings. If the fireplace is safe and supervised, light a fire and offer coffee and hot chocolate to buyers.

Keep your home clean- Regardless of the time of year you sell, it is crucial to take the time to make sure your entire house is clean. With the extra mud brought in by dirty shoes and wet clothing in the winter, it is even more crucial. Keep your floors spotless and make sure all your family's belongings are stored away so that visitors cannot see them. Tidy up the lawn by removing any leaves that have fallen from the trees.

Showcase a variety of photography - Homes look better in spring and summer when they're surrounded by green grass and lush foliage because buyers can be seduced by all that beauty. This puts winter listings at a disadvantage, so include some photos of your property at other times of the year. If you do, choose photos without a date stamp in the corner. An old date could signal that your home has been on the market for a long time, which is a red flag to buyers.

Seal window and door gaps - A drafty home may give potential buyers the impression that there is a problem with the heating and cooling system or that the current owners are behind on maintenance. To keep the cold out, use weatherstripping and caulk where necessary.

Spend time on basic home maintenance – You want to present a well-maintained home to potential buyers, so it’s imperative you make sure you are up to date on all household maintenance. Getting a Home Maintenance Inspection is a great way to learn about your home’s current condition and get a list of recommended items for maintenance.

Brighten the space - Light is important when it comes to selling your home in winter. Maximize the daylight in the home, and you will also be able to boast that your home's energy bills are enticingly low. Natural light is incredibly attractive for any house hunter. Keep the lights on for showings, shuffle furniture and remove heavy drapes and curtains.

We hope you find these tips encouraging, helpful, and motivating if you are selling your home in the winter. If you’re prepared for what to expect, you can make the process as smooth as possible. Keep these tips in mind when putting your house on the market this season.

If you are getting ready to sell your home this winter, we highly recommend scheduling a . During this inspection, a licensed and insured WIN home inspector will carefully examine your entire home and provide you with a report complete with suggested maintenance items to help you sell your home faster!

If you have any questions or need help along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local WIN Home Inspector! We’re happy to assist homeowners every step of the way through the home-selling process. Click here to find a WIN Home Inspection expert near you. You can also contact us at (800) 309-6753 or email inquiry@wini.com and one of our experts will contact you promptly.