It’s no big surprise that the buying and selling of homes peaks in the spring and summer. However, it’s still possible to sell your home in the fall and winter months. One important thing is to have pictures showing what your home looks like in all seasons. It will be easier for buyers to see what the spring and summer potential is with those pictures. You might think that curb appeal is impossible during those months, not true. A well maintained, as in not leaf covered, yard and front walk can be very appealing. One suggestion is to make sure to rinse off any dirt on the outside of the house before the temperatures drop. Sometimes winter can look dull and drab with snow, and property lines can blur. Having flags set up marking the boundaries and keeping the deck and walkway salted and cleared is very important for people looking at your home. You don’t want anyone to slip and fall during a showing!
Keep your blinds and curtains open to take advantage of as much natural light as possible. And if you have hardwood floors use them. The warmth of the sun reflecting off those floors give a bright and cheery appearance. Keep your home maintained with things such as window and door seals for drafts. The less money it takes for people to heat their home the more they will love it. Make sure your furnace and boiler are maintained and serviced if necessary. Use the time you can spend inside to deep clean some of the spots that may not get the attention you would give the outside and obvious places: i.e. under the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Make sure your ceiling fans are not dripping with dust and your dishwasher and washing machine are clean and fresh. Now is also a good time to paint if you think and/or your realtor advises you to do so.
Remember that simple is in. The more warm, inviting, and yet simply decorated your home can be, the more potential interested buyers can envision. Keep the seasonal decor at a minimum, unless you can use it to highlight your home’s features. A tall Christmas tree to show the cathedral ceilings, for example. Another thing that can make a house look like a home is a fun, pleasant looking snowman in the front yard. The point of all of this is don’t be discouraged or overly anxious if it works best for you to put your house on the market in fall and winter. There are many things that go on and many advantages that can be taken during this time that no other season offers.
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