Selling Your Home in Winter

Allison Quartuccio has been a real estate agent for more than thirteen years. She has some observations on selling your home in winter.

Welcome to Wisconsin. It gets dark at 4:30 pm, the snow makes roads difficult to maneuver … and it’s just plain cold outside! Don’t hibernate this winter…serious home shoppers are looking to buy!

Despite this year’s forecast calling for a continued hot winter market, many potential home buyers and sellers believe there are more reasons than not for home shoppers to stop looking during the winter. However, those who do need a home during the winter season are often the most serious shoppers because they need to move, not just because they want to. If touring open houses in negative temperatures is not your thing or you want to hunker down for during the holiday season, think of those situations that require a home shopper to move quickly – such as a job transfer or a major family adjustment such as loss of a loved one, divorce or a new baby. These groups of buyers are still out shopping looking for quality inventory despite the uptick in interest rates.

During the winter, home sellers can put their home in an advantageous position by being flexible with timing. Yes, the spring housing market brings out more buyers but with that comes more inventory and competition. Getting in front of the spring listing with a competitively-priced home and some winter staging techniques may just be the ticket for a serious home buyer to dig out the winter boots and brave the falling temps. Here are some quick thoughts:

Make sure the “for sale” sign is cleared of snow as well as any walkways, sidewalks and your driveway. If your stamped concrete patio is a selling feature, don’t forget to shovel that as well and keep well lit for buyers to see in the dark. Sprinkle salt or sand down to avoid ice forming and potential spills.

Let in the light! Keep your blinds open and curtains pushed back. Turn on all interior (including closets and appliances) and exterior lights. Consider using warm spectrum light bulbs to avoid a stark feeling.

Keep it warm! Turn up the heat a few extra degrees to encourage buyers to linger longer in your home before heading back out in the cold. If you have a gas fireplace, perhaps turn it on for some added warmth and ambiance. If you have added energy-efficient features like smart thermostats or additional insulation, make it part of your marketing plan.

Keep it clean! No matter the season, it is important to keep your home clean. In winter it is even more important when there is harsher lighting that draws attention to dirt. Wipe up any water or salt marks on the floor, consider investing in mats for entry points, perhaps a coat rack or bench for buyers to shed hats, mittens, and heavy coats. A bench also gives a dedicated spot for buyers to sit and remove wet shoes or put booties on.

Make it cozy! Some ideas are soft music, afghans thrown over a couch, plumped-up pillows, a table set for two. All of these give an inviting feel and help buyers see themselves relaxing and curling up after a long stressful day. One of my favorite winter showings that stands out in my mind even 8 years later is that the seller left us steaming hot cocoa in cute mugs. Guess what house my buyers wrote on that night?!?

Don’t let winter stop you from thinking selling your home would be a Christmas miracle! With some proper planning and care, it could be a tremendous opportunity for a fresh housing start in the New Year.

Allison Quartuccio, SRS, SRES, ABR, PSA is the Broker/Owner at Denali Realty Group LLC and a 5 star real estate agent recipient. Celebrating 14 years in business in 2024, Denali Realty Group is located at 12750 W. North Ave Ste C. Brookfield, WI 53005. Quartuccio can be reached at 262-439-8332 (office), 414-380-7113 (mobile). www.denaligroupwi.com .