Selling Your House This Winter? Follow These 3 Tips
While many homes are put up for sale when the weather outside is warm, you may have no choice but to sell in the winter. If the timing of your home sale is not ideal, here are a few tips that will help you get through it.
Improve Your Curb Appeal
You may not think that there is much you can do for your curb appeal during the snowy winter, but there are some ways to improve the look of the house so you make a good first impression. You'll want to finish up any repairs prior to the winter weather coming. Once the snow hits, you'll want to take steps to ensure that your home looks well maintained. Take some time to expertly shovel your driveway and sidewalks prior to showings. Wash your siding so that it doesn't look dirty from the snow. Remove icicles hanging off your home so it does not appear like heat is escaping through the roof. It can even help to build a snowman in the front yard, even if you don't have kids. It will give the appearance that the home is kid-friendly and a place where people can raise a family.
Have Slippers On Hand For Showings
People are going to be coming into your home for showings, but you don't want them to be tracking snow through your home and making a mess. It will help to have some slippers near the front door for people to borrow as they tour your home. It will help keep their feet warm, which will avoid raising any concerns about the effectiveness of the home's HVAC system and keep your house clean.
Keep The House Warm
Showings are not a time to save money by keeping your thermostat low. You'll want to turn up the temperature several hours before people visit your home to ensure it feels warm and cozy. You can even get a fire going if you have a working fireplace. Another trick to consider is to bake something in your kitchen when you know you will have people visiting. Not only does it produce a pleasant scent in your home, but it produces more heat in your kitchen as well.
These are just a few tips for successfully showing your home to buyers this upcoming winter. For more ideas, meet with a real estate agent who offers home selling services. They can let you know what tips have worked for their clients in the past.