This week reminded us how quickly winter weather can change, but the focus for sellers stays the same. If you are listing in the cold season or preparing for next year, the National Association of Realtors offers straightforward guidance on making a home warm, safe, and inviting. Below are the key tips to help showings go smoothly, whatever the forecast.
The months of December through February see less robust real estate activity in many areas due to the holidays and the cold weather, according to the National Association of Realtors. But if you need to sell your home during winter, you can capitalize on certain advantages that seasonal selling provides. For one thing, winter buyers are typically motivated, whether it’s due to a work relocation, expanding family, or other pressing need. And because there are generally fewer homes on the market during this time, sellers can benefit from less competition when negotiating offers. Here are ways to maximize the appeal of your home during the winter:
Focus on curb appeal. Clean up fallen leaves and dead branches. Make the front door inviting with planted topiaries, a festive door wreath, and a fresh welcome mat.
Make the exterior safe. If you’re in an area with ice and snow, clear the driveway and walking paths. Spread rock salt or sand to prevent slips and falls.
Spruce up the interior. Declutter and clean all the rooms. Then, add warmth with fuzzy throw pillows and blankets. If you have a fireplace, fire it up for open houses—but never when the home is unattended for any period. Set your dining table as if you’re hosting a holiday get-together.
Add potted indoor plants. Flowering plants or an indoor herb garden can add additional warmth and liven up the interior of your home.
Light it up. Clean windows to allow more natural light to shine through. Replace burned
out lightbulbs, add standing lamps to darker spaces, and turn on all the lights for showings to ensure the home is bright and cheerful.
Warm it up. Keep the temperature at a comfortable level for showings. Turning down the thermostat will make your home feel cold and uninviting.
Accommodate showing requests. Allowing showings during the holiday season can be difficult, but the answer to showing requests should almost always be yes. Don’t miss out on showing your beautiful home to motivated buyers.
Pay attention to the senses. Buyers may be sensitive to strong perfumes and scented candles. Opt first for a “clean” smell, and then consider adding a touch of vanilla, citrus, or cinnamon.
These adjustments can yield a quicker sale with a greater net during winter months.
Thoughtful preparation turns a winter listing into a calm, confident experience for everyone who walks through the door. If conditions become severe, safety comes first, and showings can be adjusted. For a plan tailored to your home, timing, and neighborhood, connect with a local Realtor who knows the Chattanooga market. #That'sWhoWeR
Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® is The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with nearly 3,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,200 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors service Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee, and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net or call 423.698.8001