How to sell your house in winter
Do you want to sell your home in Winter? Are you worrying about how to make your house look its best when it’s raining and cold outside?
Contact the team at Jan Mackie Real Estate today and we’ll help you get the best price from your Winter sale.
The season doesn’t need to get in the way of a good sale price. Selling your home during Winter simply requires some smart thinking, and a little effort to maximise the great features your seller is looking for.
Here are some easy steps to make your home shine - even when the sun doesn’t.
Sell your home faster and let in the light.
A light bright home is always attractive to a buyer. Start by making sure your windows are clear of coverings so you’re letting as much natural light into each room as possible.
Use your internal lighting to brighten each room. Your real estate agent can help you to turn on the lights for each viewing and open home, so your interiors look as bright as they can do even when it’s dull outside.
Warm houses attract more buyers.
Everyone loves the contrast of stepping over the threshold into a warm home on a cold day. If you want your buyer to fall in love with your home, Winter is your opportunity to demonstrate how warm and comfortable it can be.
Try to keep your whole home as warm as possible whenever you could have a viewing and especially during open homes. To ensure your buyer enjoys a warm and inviting viewing experience try lighting a fire in the morning or putting your heating or heat pump on or on a timer before you go to work.
Don’t let a stuffy house get in the way of your sale.
Homes can get stale in Winter, especially when we try to trap the warmth inside and keep the cold outside. Take some time to air your home thoroughly and let fresh air into every room on a regular basis.
Fresh flowers and living plants can help to add a fresh and bright feeling in your home. If you’re considering adding scent with candles or room fresheners, remember to keep it subtle.
Space sells homes. Maximise yours for the best sale.
In Winter, our homes can feel smaller as we often lose the flow from indoor to outdoors. That’s just another reason why it’s important to make every interior space feel as big as possible, so you can delight your buyer.
Space sells homes whatever the season. Make the most of selling your house in winter by clearing the clutter before you start the viewing process. It’s a great way to make each room feel as big as possible.
Clearing the clutter doesn’t have to mean throwing things away. If you have watertight garage space, this is a great place to store items that you don’t need to have out everyday. Stack them neatly and cover them if you can so they are protected and tidy.
Clean homes are just easier to sell. It’s a fact.
Selling your home for the best price means making sure it’s always seen in the best light. Unfortunately Winter sunlight can be unforgiving, highlighting dirty windows; dusty surfaces; and tired paintwork.
To maximise the sale price of your home, carry out a detailed inspection and carefully assess whether it’s looking well-cared for or in need of love. A deep clean will help to shine the windows and surfaces. Consider cleaning paintwork or applying a fresh coat of paint to make sure your home sparkles.
Window sills can often become watermarked and lose their shine in Winter - especially if your home is subject to condensation on the windows in the morning. Take a close look and wipe everything down before you start viewings. A quick coat of paint will bring back the sparkle if you need it to.
First impressions count, so focus outside as well as in.
An exterior clean is an important part of creating curb appeal and ensuring your home attracts the right buyers. Bring in the professionals or do it yourself, just take care that you use the right method for your type of exterior.
If you’re waterblasting, make sure you get a good clean, streak-free finish. Pay particular attention to your gutters and make sure that they are clear and cobweb free. Windows, walls, and paths should be clean and in good repair.
Outdoor spaces could win you the best sale.
The weather may not be appealing but a good real estate agent can help your buyer imagine making the most of your garden in warmer times. If you have a deck or seating area, make sure it’s set up and looks appealing even if the weather isn’t.
Gardens rarely look their best in Winter but the good news is that a little work can go a long way (and any weeds you clear won’t come back in quite as much of a hurry). Take some time to tidy your garden, mulch between your plants, edge your lawn and plant in some fresh colour if you can. A little effort will boost the appeal of your entryways for potential buyers as they arrive at your property.
Sell your home when it looks its best.
You can’t always choose when a buyer arrives at your property but you can choose when you open the doors for an open home. Work with your real estate agent and identify the time of day when your home looks its best and you can use the sun’s location to your advantage.
An open home is often your opportunity to create a great first impression for prospective buyers. Timing it carefully can set you up for maximum warmth, light, and appeal. It could also secure you the sale price you’ve been looking for.
Invest in a builder’s report.
Investing upfront in a builder’s report could save you money when you put your property on the market - whatever the season.
A builder’s report identifies the issues your buyer may spot when they inspect your property themselves. By capturing problems upfront, you can choose how you wish to resolve them - either before you put your house on the market or during the negotiation of your sale. Either way you have control and can make sure you make the right decision to drive the best sale price.
Contact your local real estate experts.
The team at The Mackies are experts at selling homes in Hastings, Flaxmere, Havelock North and across the surrounding areas of the Hastings District including Clive. Whatever the season, we can work with you to make your house sale a success.
We understand exactly what your buyers are looking for so can help you to market the best features of your home effectively. Our aim is to make the process of selling your home as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on the next move in your house-buying journey.