10 tips for Selling Your Home in the Winter

Selling your home in the  middle of winter can really stress you out. 

The lawn is brown, the weather is usually bad and, unlike the longer days of summer, you have less time to show it off during daylight hours.

Unfortuneatly, not everyone has the luxury of waiting until the spring or summer home-buying season to plant that "for sale" sign in the yard.   And, while it's true that in most areas you'll probably have fewer home buyers during the winter, you will have less competition from other sellers as well.

However, the winter season might just be the perfect time for showing your home at it's very best, but be prepared to put a little effort into it.

Make it look like a cozy refuge from the winter weather...if done right, it can really make your house stand out from the others.

Think warm.   If you were the buyer out looking in the cold, wouldn't you want to be warm... of course you would.

So, before a buyer comes through your home, adjust the thermostat to a warm and welcoming temperature.  If you have a gas fireplace, turning it on right before the prospective buyer comes through can give the house a little ambience.  However, don't try this if you've got a wood-burning fireplace, unless You'll Be There to Tend to it.

Usually, sellers leave right before the agent and prospective buyers arrive. If this is the case, adjust the heat to a comfortable temperature and have the hearth set for a fire, as Buyers feel the warmth and see the potential.   

 Keep in mind that if it's cold outside as well as inside, buyers who come in won't stay long and that's just no good to you, the seller.

2. Turn on the Music and Make It Comfortable and Cozy

Create some atmosphere, turn on some soft relaxing music whether it be jazz or classical.  Turn it on low so that it's comforting, but still allows the potential buyer to think about the home enough to stay a little longer.

4. Take Advantage of the Natural Light.

Have the curtains and blinds cleaned and open them as wide as possible during daytime showings.  Encourage showings during the daylight hours, as once it gets dark, it's too hard to see what the home really has to offer to appreciate it.  And, if you've got buyers that just can't get to it until it's dark out, make the most of the light you do have.  Clean all the lamps and built-in fixtures, and replace the bulbs with the highest wattage that they will safely accommodate and remember to turn on all the lights before showing.

5. Windows, windows, windows

Get the windows washed and make sure that they are in good condition.  Windows are one thing that many sellers don't even consider. Check to make sure that the windows are in good condition.  Are the seals and the glass window panes intacked or are they broken?  Is there any condensation forming between the panes? Any fogging or visible reminants of fogging?  If so have a your windows replaced, as more than likely this will be one of the key items your buyer will require of you in purchasing your home. 

6. The Nose knows...give the home a nice aroma.

People love cookies and just about everybody likes the smell of hot, Chocolate Chip Cookies baking in the oven. 

If chocolate chip cookies are not for you or you've baked way too many and want no more of that, then other scents that people like to smell include, fresh perked coffee, baked apples, vanilla, cinnamon, freshly baked pies or bread, hot chocolate and of course a holiday favorite, hot apple cider.  Now you don't have to bake to have one of these delicious winter aromas run through your home, as you can purchase candles that smell just like these heavenly aromas in most grocery stores.

On the flip side, keep in mind that if you've got too many candles or plug-in air fresheners going, people start to wonder what smell you might be hiding, so don't overdo it.

7. Up, up, Odors, away. 

PET ODORS , especially dirty cat litter or urine, can stop a buyer in their tracks and literally make them leave without ever making it into the entryway.  Everyone loves their pets, so if your selling your home, make sure that the pet odors are taken care of before showing your home, including pet bedding and toys.  

Smoke and Musty odors are another issue that people can't stand. If you are a smoker, you may consider smoking outside, so that the air in the house can stay clean and fresh.  Musty odors are caused by microbiological growth and usually develop in areas that have a a relative humidity exceeding 60% and with a temperature range between 68 - 86 degrees with little or no air movement. Pourous materials absorb moisture from the air and retain it providing an ideal habitat for microbes to develop and cause significant odor problems.

No matter where these odors come from, they all can cling to curtains, carpets, walls and just about anything pourous, which can simply ruin your homes showing ability.  If in doubt, ask your real estate agent or a friend to come over and give it a sniff test.  Then thououghly clean the house, air it out, hire a professional carpet and upholstry cleaner, have the air ducts cleaned, the filters changed and if need be replace drapes, carpets and/or rugs before you show it.

7. Make it Festive.

Even if you're not actually going to be present, greet your buyers as if they were going to be guests at a party.  You may consider setting the dining table with your best dishes, table linens and silverware.  Add some colorful flowers throughout the home, set out bottles of water for them to take or leave a plateful of cookies and/or candy for their sweet tooth.   Make a powerful impression.  Leave them with a "Wow" factor, as if it were a special occassion in their honor.

Also, take a good look at your homes outside lighting . Is there enough illumination to make it inviting? If not, either get the fixtures changed or have new ones added.

9. Protect your Investment.

Some sellers and/or their agents will ask buyers to either remove their shoes or slip on paper "booties" over their shoes before touring the home.  Many buyers like this, as it shows pride of ownership and meticulousness that resonates with buyers.

Have fun and decorate.  Make your home a festive and comfortable cozy retreat. People really do love the holidays and if they just haven't gotten into the holiday spirit yet, well this will surely get it started for them.  For many people, the holidays make us happy and happy people make for good buyers. 

And, once the holidays are over, continue showcasing those beautiful winter wreaths and dried arrangements inside the home and around the doors and entrances, as it sparks interest and sets up a cheery mood.