Despite all the magic that comes with winter, it can be a difficult time of year to sell your home.
The best time to sell your home is typically late spring or early summer. It’s a natural time for many people to make a significant change, like moving homes. The school year is winding down, creating an opportunity for families to make a move. It’s also a common time of year for military families to move between duty stations. With lots of people making moves, buyers and sellers are actively navigating the real estate market.
Spring and summer weather also brings the perfect environment for your landscaping to thrive. And when your yard looks attractive, so does your house, possibly increasing value.
While there are ideal times of year to sell, you are not limited to selling in the spring and summer. You can sell your home any time of the year, whenever you need to; it might take a little extra effort and planning to find someone looking to buy homes fast. You may even be able to sell your home for cash fast.
Winter is quickly approaching, and if you are ready to sell, here is what you need to know.
List Your Home Early
Be prepared to wait for an offer. Buyers aren’t as abundant in the winter, meaning you have fewer chances to attract a reasonable offer. Don’t worry, though–the potential buyers that are looking are serious.
Price It Accordingly
With less competition, you can also plan on your home selling at a slightly lower price than it might in the spring, so consider that when you look at neighborhood comps from spring and summer. A house that is priced right will sell faster, so it’s worth getting it right.
Create a Cozy Atmosphere
When you sell in the winter, you lack the abundance of light and warmth that comes in spring, summer, and even fall. Your yard may look dreary, and your home may look dark. So, the goal is to embrace the ambiance of winter and dial up the cozy factor.
Focus on Lighting
Cozy, warm lighting from multiple sources within the room will help your home shine. Consider using a combination of overhead lighting and accent lighting to achieve the perfect glow.
Set Your Thermostat to a Comfortable Temperature
You want people to feel at home the minute they walk in the door. Somewhere between 68 to 70 degrees will be the ideal temperature for most people. If you have a smart thermostat, be sure to turn off the auto-adjust settings so that it is the perfect temperature for every showing.
Set the Stage
Seasonal staging may be the ticket in the winter months. Light a candle so that your home will smell amazing. Accent your living area with comfy blankets and throw pillows.
Don’t Neglect Curb Appeal
While your flowers may not be in bloom, you don’t want your yard to look like a mess. Keep your driveway and sidewalks free of snow and ice, bring out some weather-resistant outdoor decor, and make sure the landscaping you have is neatly trimmed and attractive.
Look for an Investor
Selling your home in the winter can be a chore and sometimes requires more work than selling in the spring. But if you are ready to sell, don’t let the season stop you. If you need to sell but don’t want to jump through all of the hoops, look for a residential real estate investor or direct home buyer to work with.
You can:
- Skip all the prep work. Your investor will do it all; there is no need to take on projects or deep clean your pantry.
- Close fast. Super fast. In as little as a week.
- Avoid realtor fees. A real estate investor can close your deal without the need to pay out a realtor commission, which is typically 6%. Depending on the value of your home, this can be a lot of money.
- Choose your closing date. Investors usually aren’t in a huge hurry, but they can be if you are. This means you can find a buyer and close whenever you are ready.
- Enjoy a simplified transaction. A real estate investor conducts a high volume of cash real estate deals. They can make it simple and easy for you because they know exactly what they are doing.
Sometimes, life happens, and you need to sell. Don’t panic if it happens to be during winter. You have tools at your disposal and options for how you sell, regardless of the time of year. If you’re ready to sell your home in the winter, contact Express Homebuyers.