Guest Post by: Mike Longsdon
As The Mortgage Reports notes, it’s true that spring is the most popular time to sell a home. However, selling your home in the colder months comes with its own benefits. For one, there is less competition to worry about. Also, people who are looking for a home in the colder months are typically more serious about closing a deal. Furthermore, repairs tend to cost less at this time of year.
Each season has its advantages, of course, but if you approach it the right way, fall or winter can be the right time for you to make a sale. Real estate agent Meghan Carroll shares some ideas to consider as you’re planning to sell your home.
Research the Market
Just because fall and winter are considered the off-season doesn’t mean you need to lower your asking price. Research comparable sales and trends in your area. For instance, in the New Jersey market, the median sale was $461,000, up nearly 13 percent from 2020, according to NJ.com. Whatever the trends are in your market, it’s good to know beforehand. Set a goal and plan ahead so you can achieve it.
Pump Up the Interest
In addition to your real estate agent’s promotional efforts, you can help generate interest in your property by sharing your listing via social media channels. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or other venues, think of your listing as an advertisement — make it look professional by using a standout logo that screams “Buy me!” If you’re challenged in the graphic design department, Google “design logo online free” and use Adobe’s logo maker to customize an attractive logo in minutes.
Clean Up the Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is critical, even in fall and winter. Buyers may not expect pristine landscaping, but you should at least keep your lawn and pathways clear of clutter and hazards like leaves, dead tree limbs, and snow or ice. Also, make sure you mow your lawn one last time and trim any shrubs and trees around the property. If you want to add some nice touches, consider things like:
- Cleaning the siding and windows
- Putting up new house numbers
- Replacing your mailbox or refreshing the current one
- Painting your front door a vibrant color
- Planting some winter-friendly flowers and plants
Spruce Up the Interior
You also want to ensure the inside of your home is decluttered. Space is appealing, so make sure that the focus while staging your home is to sell. For example, remove any furniture or furnishings that crowd the room.
Instead of risking making a mess with buckets of paint to brighten your walls, consider wallpaper. Today’s wallpaper has come a long way. The designs are modern and memorable. And it’s not as labor-intensive as it was in your grandma’s day. It goes on easier and is easier to remove. Once you’ve put up wallpaper to sell a house, you’ll also want to put it up in your new house too. You can even use the online tool to create your own designs, and leave truly personal touches in the rooms of your new home.
Also look into installing a smart home security system, which is one of the amenities many homebuyers, especially millennials, find appealing. Components like video doorbells and motion-activated lighting, as well as fully integrated security systems available today make it easier for homeowners to install, but you can always have a contractor or company that specializes in such work do it for you.
Stay Open to Last-Minute Showings
With shorter days, you need to take advantage of any opportunity to show your home. Sometimes, this might require a last-minute showing late in the afternoon or early evening. If you need a little motivation, remember that buyers who come to look at homes in the fall or winter are usually more serious than buyers who are shopping around in spring.
Bring on the Lights
Finally, be sure to light up the home. This may include getting additional lighting such as floor lamps, wall-mounted fixtures, and hanging lights. Consider using dimmable bulbs, since they allow you to control the ambiance of each space. Furthermore, landscape lighting can be helpful for evening showings and do wonders for your curb appeal.
If you’re looking to sell your home, don’t be turned off by the idea of selling in the off-season. Get to know the market in your area so that you can determine a good price, and be flexible when it comes to showings. Keep the inside and outside of your home clutter-free, make simple improvements for curb appeal, modernize the interior walls, and ensure adequate lighting is in place. Incorporating tips like these can get you the sale sooner rather than later.
Image by Frank Taylor via Pexels.com
