While spring is traditionally thought to be the prime season for home buying, people buy and sell homes throughout the year. The need to relocate for a new career, health reasons or the urge for new life experiences can happen at any time. Selling a home can be stressful. Add in harsh weather conditions and you’re likely to experience even more stress.
If you were selling your house in the summer or spring, there is likelihood you would address any cosmetic concerns as part of the staging process. The same attention to detail can apply in the winter. Simple upgrades, like tidying up the exterior, driveways and walkways from ice and snow can have a huge cosmetic impact. Carpet in your home should be clean and in good condition. If possible, your home should have a fresh outside coat of paint. Embark on a mission to make your home clutter-free by keeping personal items and photographs out of view.
Your home should exude a feeling of warmth and charm. Allow light to cascade to help subdue the winter chill. When showing your home during daylight hours, open your draperies or blinds. Showing your home during evening hours gives you an opportunity to choose a pleasant combination of floor or table lamps, which can help impart a warm and comforting glow throughout the home.
Emphasize any features that can make your home more attractive to winter buyers, like an attached garage, new water heaters, skylights or efficient energy upgrades. And take advantage of the opportunity to display your home’s charm by providing a photo portfolio. This can include pictures of your home during spring, summer and fall. Images can be an excellent way to share the beauty of your home during any time of year.
No matter how you choose to make your home more salable, stay within your budget and use your credit wisely. Keep warm in the months ahead -0 and happy selling.
By Becky Frost
