Making the Sale
When you list a home in the winter, accept that there will probably be fewer potential buyers coming through to see the home, but know that the ones who do will be seriously motivated. Don’t undervalue—or underprice—your home just because it has fewer viewings. Here are some tips for winter selling:
Shovel, Shovel, Shovel
If you’re in a snowy climate, keep all paths around the home and any outbuildings salted and shoveled, and clear off any porches, patios, and decks. If possible, keep outdoor furniture set up and clear from snow, so potential buyers can envision how they can use the space.
Don’t Neglect Landscaping
Counteract the dreary effect of gray skies and bare trees by adding some seasonal landscaping. Edge garden beds, layer on fresh mulch, blow away dead leaves, remove dead vegetation, and add seasonal pops of color around the yard and front door, such as wreaths, holly, or evergreen topiaries.
Showcase a Variety of Photography
Homes look better in spring and summer when they're surround by green grass and lush foliage, and buyers can be seduced by all that beauty. This puts winter listings at a disadvantage, so include some photos of your property at other times of year, if possible. If you do, choose photos without a date stamp in the corner. An old date on a photo could signal that your home has been on the market for a long time, which is a red flag to buyers.
Tune Up Winter Systems
Few things will end a showing faster than having a major appliance malfunction during the tour. Don't wait until the open house or first showing to find out there's something wrong with the furnace. Before you list, hire an expert to inspect (and repair as necessary) the furnace and fireplace as well as any other seasonal systems throughout the home, and tell your real estate agent so she can mention it at viewings.
Up Your Lighting Game
Since days are shorter in the winter, it’s important to keep the lights on for potential buyers even when you’re not home. Consider adding path lighting or spotlights, and set your lighting on a timer to create a homey glow for anyone dropping in or driving by.
Warm Up the Interior
Keep the home at a steady 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during showings. If the fireplace is safe and supervised, light a fire and offer coffee and hot chocolate to buyers
Seal Up Drafts
A drafty home may signal to prospective home buyers that there’s something wrong with the heating and cooling systems, or that the current owners have fallen behind on repairs. Use caulk and weatherstripping where necessary to keep chills out.
Stage Your Home
If you've already moved out and your home is sitting empty, have your home staged by an expert who can create a cozy, inviting feel. If professional staging is cost-prohibitive, leave behind a few anchor pieces or borrow extra furniture from friends, and layer rugs, throws, pillows, and linens as well as an assortment of winter plants in each room to add warmth and cheer.
Market on Social Media
Your real estate agent will be doing the heavy lifting as far as marketing goes, but it never hurts to do a social media campaign of your own. Share your listing on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Look for local Facebook groups that revolve around local home buyers and sellers where you can post your details. Here in the office, we do some of that for you as well as on multiple online and local platforms to greatly increase visibility of your property.
Fast Fixes
Regardless the season you end up selling your house in, there are a few things you can do to boost its value and sell it quicker. Just a few smart home improvements can make all the difference in selling your home: lay laminate flooring, refresh kitchen cabinets, deep clean the bathrooms, clear out closet clutter, clean out the garage, consider new paint (spring, summer , fall), or swap out for new hardware on cupboards and drawers.
Work with an Experienced Realtor
Hello Lake area! I’m Adam Foland, broker owner of Exit Realty advantage here in Madison SD serving all of LAKE COUNTY.
I have been in the lake area for 30 years. After graduating from DSU with an exercise science degree, I developed strong interest in business.
I owned and ran two restaurant bars and grills for a total of 15 years.
My interest turned to licensed real estate in 2007 and I now have helped hundreds of families find the perfect home that fits their needs and lifestyles.
I’m proud to serve you as an EXIT broker celebrating five years with EXIT totaling 20 years of real estate experience.
Call me with any questions or to set up an appointment at 605-270-2598 or head to my website HERE
