Selling Your Home During the Winter Season.

While most homeowners believe that spring is the best time to sell, there are some very compelling reasons to put your home onto the market before then.

Inventory is lower during the cold winter months, and this year, it’s lower still. Yet, there are still plenty of buyers who would like to move into their new home in the spring. Selling your home now allows you to be ready to make an offer on your next home as the typical increase of listings in March, April and May.

Preparing your home during the cold months takes a little thought in order to make it as appealing as possible. Yes, you will not have that lush green lawn or flower beds, but you can still create curb appeal despite the snow.

The goal is to make your home feel inviting as buyers walk up to the front door, and comfortable during the showing. Here’s a few tips.

1. Make sure your walkways and driveway are clear and ice free. Try not to pile the snow so high along the walk that it feels that you’re walking into an igloo.

2. If you have pictures of your yard from the summer months, be sure to have your agent put them in a “Home Book” for buyers to view.

3. Always have a mat next to the door for wet boots or shoes. Having disposable slippers or shoe covers will keep your floors dry and clean.

4. Coat rack. Visitors will not feel comfortable for very long if they are still wearing a parka. Buy an inexpensive standalone coat rack for your entry way with a sign saying it’s for their use. Wearing heavy coats will make them uncomfortable within minutes and could shorten the showing.

5. Thermostat. Even after the buyers remove their coats, they could still feel overly warm and if your thermostat is set at a ‘comfortable’ 68, they will feel hot. After all, they just came in from the cold. Go ahead and lower it to 66.

6. Fireplaces. It’s a split decision on this. Some are comfortable leaving a fire unattended as a staging piece, but personally, I get nervous with this. Some buyers may bring children on a showing and unless your agent can attend every showing to watch over it, I tend not to recommend a fire burning. If you have a gas log, then go ahead and turn it on.

7. Freshly baked cookies are always a hit with a sign to help themselves. The smells of oatmeal cookies can’t be beat and create a warm and fuzzy feeling with most buyers!

8. Holiday decorations. This is the toughest one. In this case, less is more. Too many decorations is a huge distraction. Think about removing them right after the holiday.

9. Lights, lights, lights! Since many showings will be later afternoon, or on cloudy days, leave all of your lights on in the house. It creates great curb appeal to walk up to a home all lit up inside. Don’t worry about the electricity! It’s worth the extra $30 to have your home stand out! It’s very distracting for the agent and buyers to have to walk into a dark home and find light switches and worry about turning them all off. Let them enjoy the showing and concentrate on your home’s features.

Selling a home in the winter months, done properly, can be very successful. Less competition and buyers who are relocating or have already sold their homes, are motivated. If you have questions or thoughts, please don’t hesitate to email me.

All the best and stay warm!

Gary Rogers

If you have a question about real estate or the market itself, email me at GRogers@remax.net

Waltham resident Gary Rogers has been considered an expert in the real estate industry for over 27 years. He has been quoted or interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Bloomberg Online, the Boston Globe and NECN’s “This Week in Business”. He currently serves as the Regional Vice President of the National Association of Realtors, the nation’s largest trade organization whose goal is the protection of private property rights and the promotion of homeownership.

Locally, Gary is the Broker-Owner of REMAX On The Charles, which serves home buyers and sellers in the Metrowest area.