How to Sell Your Home During the Winter

While the most common time to sell your home is in the summer, it may come as a surprise that selling in the winter can be very beneficial. With fewer houses on the market, there is less competition, and with the cold weather, you can be assured that those who come for a viewing are serious buyers. Furthermore, the idea of having a new home for the new year is an appealing thought, so there will be people on the hunt. In this blog, we share our tips on how to sell your home in the winter.

Don’t be Shy to Get Festive

Having a twinkling Christmas tree or some fairy lights decorating the walls can make the home look warm, cosy and appealing. One rule is to ensure you don’t go overboard and create clutter; keep it pretty and minimalistic. You don’t want to cramp the space and make any rooms appear smaller than they are, so if you want to use some big decorations, maybe consider moving the furniture around to accommodate.

Let the Light Shine Bright

In the winter, there are around eight hours of sunshine, and with many people arranging viewings in the evenings after work, it will be dark outside. To showcase your home in the best way, it is essential to use the correct lighting. Adding lamps in dark and dull corners can help brighten the space and present the room in a better light. Having an outdoor light on for when potential buyers arrive is also a great way to invite them in and offer a warm welcome. In addition to this, take a look at ways to add value to your home, so that you can entice new buyers more easily.

Make the Garden Look Good

With the cold and unpredictable weather, in the winter, outdoor furniture can become tired and worn out; this is not a good sign for potential buyers. You want to ensure that your garden looks as good as possible. If you have a patio or decking, give it a sweep and ensure it looks tidy and presentable. Furthermore, you want to trim the hedges, mow the lawn, and remove any fallen leaves and dead plants. 

You also want to ensure that the windows are all clear, so the potential buyers can easily see out. If any branches or plants are obstructing the view, you want to cut them back, so that they don’t look cluttered or messy. Furthermore, with the increase in rainfall, gutters can become blocked from a build-up of dead leaves and debris. Ensure that the gutters and drains are clean and aren’t leaking or damaged.

Crank Up the Heating

It is a lovely feeling walking into a warm and cosy home when you have been out in the cold, miserable weather. You want to make sure that when the potential buyers view your property that it is warm; this will not only make them feel cosy, but it is also a good sign of a reliable and effective heating system. If you usually avoid putting the heating on in certain places, such as spare rooms, you may want to turn the radiators on so that it is consistently warm throughout the home.

Dress Up Your Entrance

First impressions are key, and the first part of the home that potential buyers will see is the front of the property and the entrance. Make sure that the front garden is clean and tidy; you don’t want messy fallen leaves or debris lying around. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, if the viewing is scheduled for the evening, ensure the outside light is on so that they can see the exterior better. You might also want to consider a welcome mat; not only is this inviting, but it also shows that you take care of the flooring inside the property by wiping your feet before entering. If your door is painted and looks a little tatty, it might be worth giving it a new lick of paint, because after all, first impressions really matter. For more information, take a look at what potential buyers dislike the most so that you can prepare your home and achieve a quick sale!

Here at Godfrey, Short and Squire, we are estate agents in Okehampton that offer properties in West Devon. If you are looking to put your home up for sale, get in contact with us, and we can help you with the process. Call us on 01837 54504 or email us at info@gssproperty.com. Alternatively, you can visit our social media channels; tweet us at @GSS_Property or visit our Facebook page (Godfrey Short & Squire).