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How to Make the Most of Selling a Home in the Winter
Just like summer, winter is a viable time to sell your home. The seriousness of buyers and a limited number of homes on the market can quickly make your home a hot property that will draw multiple offers. By upping the cozy factor, paying attention to detail, properly positioning your property's unique attributes, and pricing it right, you can make your house really stand out. Our real estate agents share their top tips and tricks for making the most of a wintery house sale.
- Keep the House Warm
One of the most dispiriting parts of house hunting during winter is walking into a cold home. You may be tempted to turn down the heater to save a few hundred dollars. But a chilly reception does not give a good first impression. Buyers will be out and on to the next warm house or their warm cars. Lighting a fire or turning up the heat to make the house warm provides a comforting feeling and motivates buyers to linger. It also lets potential buyers know the house is in working order and gives you more of an opportunity to get an offer. - Emphasize Spaces and Rooms That Will Appeal in Winter
If you have an outdoor fireplace or covered porch, now is the time to keep the areas fully furnished. Light a fire, have the outdoor lights on and add a few thick blankets over your outdoor furniture. Heated toolsheds, indoor exercise areas, and basement playrooms will be welcome when winter kicks in. Just make sure you declutter to make the purpose of the room clear. - Clear All Paths Around the Home
A treacherously icy path can be a real turn off. Potential buyers should be able to easily access outbuildings and walk all the way around the house without having to crawl over snowdrifts. So, you want to clear the sidewalk, driveway, and any pathways on which prospective buyers may walk. If there are footprints on the paths, scrape the walk and steps periodically. Clear off any patios, decks, and patios to allow potential buyers to envision how they could use the space. Also, add a small station for muddy and snowy boots outside the front door and quickly freshen entry floors before each showing. - Think Year-Round
Painting up the walls and pulling up carpeting are relatively easy tasks to handle, but you'll want to also fix major issues. Some buyers will look past current weather conditions. So, if you have a leaky roof or cracks in the foundation, now is the time to fix them rather than have the buyer ask for a credit to make the repairs later. Highlight spaces and amenities that provide a year-round advantage. Also, consider including professional photos that showcase your property's landscaping at other times of the year. - Price Your Home Right
If you want to sell your house for top dollar, you need to be careful not to overprice or undervalue it. Be realistic about the value of the property in order to get serious buyers in the door. If you overprice your home, it's highly likely that you'll have to lower the asking price at some point. Work with a real estate agent to know what your home will sell for.
If you're looking to add your home to the list of Minneapolis homes for sale this winter, let the experienced real estate agents at Counselor Realty help. We're ready to help you to sell your home quickly and for the right price. Call today to learn more about our services.