Hi Friends!
You may think that wintertime isn’t the best time to show your home, but you’d be surprised. Yes, winter days offer fewer hours of daylight for buyers to see your home. Sleet and snow make it harder for buyers to house-hunt. Even warm regions have challenges – the weather is often gray or rainy. But with historical low inventory levels – don’t let that slow you down! Folks are house hunting and it’s a buyers market friends, so here are a couple tips to get you on your way while the season of snow is still upon us…
Winter can have a unique, cozy, appeal – think gathering with friends and loved ones by a crackling fire, winter sports played in the backyard, walks on the beach without all the summertime tourists. So play up what’s great about your home.
Make sure the drive-up appeal is strong. Keep driveways and walkways clear of snow and slush. Put a nice, new welcome mat out for buyers and their agents to wipe their feet. In the Triad, our temps are fairly moderate so try keeping some fresh brightly colored pansies planted on your porch, deck, or in your landscaping to add a ray of sunshine! And a tasteful winter themed colorful flag is a friendly way to welcome buyers to your home!
Be sure to leave all the lights on for showings – and open the drapes to let in more light. Closed homes tend to hold odors, so open the windows for an occasional airing, and run the fans after cooking meals. Bake some cookies or bread. Boil some cinnamon and spices for a natural, wintry fragrance. Or a fresh pot of coffee for chilly buyers does wonders! And a little quiet background music can ensure folks feel comfortably welcomed…
If you have a fireplace, turn it on low so your home doesn’t get too hot. Soften staging with a comfy, soft, throw blankets. Put some big fluffy, colorful pillows on the floor. And have a couple pictures of your home (sans family members please!) both indoors and out in Spring/Summer for buyers to see. All great suggestive selling that will go a long way to attracting buyers to the comforts your property can offer them!
Good luck selling my friends! And as always, call/text/email/comment if I can help you further!