Selling a home in winter means dealing with shorter days, dreary skies, snow and freezing temperatures. But there are also many factors working in your favor. It’s all about knowing how to recognize these benefits and use them to your advantage.
Pros and cons of selling in winter
As a real estate professional, you know there are pros and cons to selling a home in any given season. Here are a few that are specific to winter:
Pros
- You have motivated buyers trying to get in a home before the year ends.
- Work and school schedules may be more flexible around the winter holidays.
- Buyers may see financial boosts from holiday and year-end bonuses or tax refunds.
Cons
- Gray skies, bare trees, dead plants and less-than-lush lawns make for poor curb appeal.
- Between November and February alone, there are six holidays that banks close for, slowing things down.
How to sell a home this winter
Feeling frozen at the thought of selling this season? A few real estate professionals agreed to share their tips for selling a home in the winter.
Update Your Listing and Marketing. Consider updating the exterior to match the season, as outdated pictures can lead people to believe the house has been on the market for a long time.
Consider the Cold. Winter weather can expose such imperfections as furnace problems, poor insulation and drafts. Before a showing, make sure the HVAC system is working properly. Check for any drafts, and, if the home is vacant, make sure it’s winterized to avoid plumbing issues.
Don’t Forget to Add Extra Light. It gets darker earlier during winter, so use brighter light bulbs in the home or bring in more lighting. During day showings, open the curtains and blinds to let more natural light in. Add exterior lights so the outside of the home is still visible and its great features are put in the spotlight.
Take Seasonal Safety Precautions. Always have outdoor walkways shoveled and salted to be welcoming and safe.
Play Up the Season. Build a snowman to greet your visitors or hang a winter wreath on the door. Inside, serve hot cider or host a hot chocolate bar to make your showing more memorable. Make sure to add soft, warm touches throughout the home with cozy throw blankets and pillows, and place area rugs on hard surfaces.
Increase the Comfort. Chances are people will have coats, hats and gloves. Provide a place where they can take off their winter gear and hang it to dry. Have a place to wipe snowy boots to avoid wet footprints through the home.
Use the winter season wisely
If business is slow, focus on your marketing and other administrative tasks you’ve been meaning to get done, so you’re more prepared when the busy season starts.
This article was provided by Quicken Loans and Rocket ProSM
Rocket ProSM Insight is an innovative tool that gives financial professionals control in each client’s home loan process. To get connected, visit RocketPro.com/RealEstate.
Photo: iStock.com/OlgaPonomarenko
