Selling a home can be an exciting but stressful time. Selling a home during the slow season can present a few challenges. For those that need to sell their home during the slower time of the year, particularly during the winter months, there are several tips that should be followed to ensure you are able to sell your home regardless of the time of year.
Hire a Realtor
If you are needing to sell your home this winter, the first thing that you should be do is hire a realtor. Many home sellers today look to sell their homes in a For Sale by Owner transaction, which would greatly reduce their closing costs. While a FSBO transaction can be more affordable, those that look to sell homes in the winter will want to have a realtor focused on the transaction to ensure that it is marketed appropriately. Furthermore, realtors often do not have as many clients in the winter months so they may have more time to focus on your sale, which could lead to a quicker closing.
Price the Home Right
During all times of the year, having your home priced at the right sales price is important. This is particularly true during the winter months when there are not as many people shopping for homes. While there are not as many potential buyers, there are likely not as many homes for sale either so you do not necessarily have to sell the home at a discount. Since current listings may be lacking, you should pull sales comps that have been completed over the past six months to see what a fair asking price could be.
Fix any Winter Repair Issues
When you are looking to sell your home in during the earlier specified time of year, you need to ensure any routine maintenance related to winter repairs is taken care of. During the winter months, there are a lot of different mechanical and maintenance issues that could arise. These can include damage to a roof during a winter storm, frozen or burst pipes due to freezing temperatures, and inefficient HVAC and furnace systems. If you are looking to sell your home, it would be a good idea to fix any of these items immediately. Any past due repairs could turn away a potential buyer or could end up costing you significantly more through requested closing credits.
Continue Focus on Curb Appeal
Most people that sell their homes are aware that curb appeal is a major attraction or deterrent to a potential homebuyer. While people spend a lot of time caring for their lawns in the spring, summer, and fall, they tend to get neglected in the winter. This is particularly true in the colder areas of the country where lawns are frequently covered in snow. If you live in a colder area, you still need to ensure your yard is properly cared for. This includes shoveling driveways and walkways, removing any ice from the home, and having the exterior is properly lit.
Keep House Clean
As any homeowner knows, particularly those in the colder areas of the country, keeping your home clean during the winter months is a challenge. Even the most careful homeowners will eventually track snow, slush, and salt to their homes. This can be damaging to carpeting and furniture and leave salt stains all over any flooring. To ensure your home looks its best, you will need to ensure that your home is properly cleaned before any showing or open house. This will go a long way in the eyes of potential homebuyers.
By: Vincent Stokes
Tags: article, business, property, Selling House in Winter
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