It would be amazing if our houses sold as soon as they’re put on the market. Unfortunately that’s not the case – sometimes houses sit on the market for months before it’s sold. If we want to ensure that our property sells, we have to pull out all the stops so that potential buyers can see themselves living in, what could be, their new home.
Now when you’re trying to sell during the winter, that’s another story. Not only do you have the typical challenges of selling quickly (especially since real estate agents predict that the market will cool within the next six months), you have to contend with the weather!
Simple staging tips like the ones we’ll discuss here can help you get closer to your goal of a fast home sale.
1. Roasty toasty
If you’re like us, you’re probably pretty firm when it comes to what temperature your thermostat is at. During the winter, you may have to change what temperature you keep the thermostat at because you don’t want potential buyers to be too cold or too hot. The ideal temperature range is 68° F to 72° F, but lean more toward the warmer side.
2. Seasonal decor
Winter decor isn’t just holiday decorations! You can add seasonal decor like throw pillows, candles, soft blankets, and even evergreen accents throughout the home. It’s hard to say for sure why small details like season-appropriate decor appeals to buyers, but we like to think that it helps the house to feel more like a home.
3. Clearing walkways and steps
When it snows, it’s your responsibility to clear walkways and sidewalks for safety’s sake. But when you’re selling, you need to make sure these areas, as well as steps, the driveway, patio/deck, and porch are cleared and salted as well. It’s a small tip, but it’s a deal killer if your potential buyer falls because of the winter mess.
4. Bright lights
One of the difficulties of selling your house during the winter is the fact that there isn’t enough sunlight to truly show off the awesomeness that is your house. While there may not be an abundance of natural light during the winter, you can make use of what light there is by opening the curtains and blinds completely. You can also brighten things up with light colored curtains and linens.
In terms of lighting, switch out your existing bulbs with LED ones. Regular lightbulbs are known for casting a yellow glow which makes everything look old and dingy. LED lights, on the other hand, give off a bright white light that makes your home look bright, lively, and new. Plus, they’re more energy efficient and last longer as well.
5. Set up a space for wet outerwear
You spend a lot of time and energy keeping your house ready for showings, but once the weather gets nasty, all that effort could be for nothing. When you take into consideration all the salt, snow, slush, and mud that can be tracked in… It’s a disaster! You can circumvent this mess by setting up an area for the wet outerwear. This is no problem if you have a mudroom, but if you don’t, you can use extra floor mats, a bench, and a coat rack near the door for ease.
Simple staging in your home for the winter works
It can feel like there’s a ton of work that goes into getting your home ready to be sold. You have to make sure it’s always clean and ready to go. Staging your home during the winter doesn’t have to add to that stress. You can always ask your real estate agent for more tips and advice because it’s in their best interest, as well as yours, that your home sells quickly and for top dollar!
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