Listing a home during the winter through a real estate agent in Etobicoke does present some challenges. Most people are off busy planning their holiday parties and events, decorating their homes, and doing their holiday shopping. This means there could potentially be fewer buyers shopping for homes in the winter. However, this should not deter you from putting the home the market.
In the winter, there are typically fewer new listings put on the market. Even though there are not as many buyers as there are at other times of the year, it can create seller’s market situation, meaning those people looking to buy home, will have fewer houses to choose from and often find themselves in bidding wars with other potential buyers. As a result, you could actually end up selling your home for the listing amount or possible more.
It is important to carefully stage your home in the winter. You want to make sure you pay attention to detail and utilize any “winter assets” or features your home has to make it stand out with potential buyers. Here are several tips to help get your home ready for listing:
1. Create a warm and cozy atmosphere. If you have a clean burning or gas fireplace or stove, have a fire lit whenever someone is viewing the home. However, if you have a traditional wood burning fireplace, you do not want to make a fire, just in case a potential buyer is allergic to smoke. But you can still have a stack of wood next to the fireplace.
2. Keep entryways clean. Make sure entryways are kept clean and do not show signs of dirt, mud, salt, or water stains that have been tracked in from the outdoors. Store boots in a closable shoe/boot rack, so they are kept out of sight.
3. Add winter touches to each room. Toss a folded warm looking blanket over the back of a chair or couch or place an extra thick quilt at the foot of each bed. Liven up rooms with wooden floors with rugs in warm colours.
4. Make sure all lighting is working. Since winter days can be dreary and cloudy, you want to turn on all of the lights even during the day. Outdoor exterior lights should also be working for people viewing the home in the late afternoon or evening.
5. Leave patios set up if they are enclosed, partially covered or there is an outdoor fireplace. It will be easier for potential buyers to see how to use outdoor patio spaces if they are fully setup with furniture.
6. Keep driveways and exterior walkways clear of snow and ice. Potential buyers should not be faced with dangerous icy patches and be able to easily walk around the entire home, as well as have easy access to garages and other exterior outbuildings.
7. Do decorate the home for the holidays. Remember, people will be envisioning themselves in your home and how it could look at the holidays. Just avoid going overboard with the holiday decorations since an overly cluttered home with too many decorations can deter potential buyers.
Creating a warm, cozy, and inviting environment during the winter, in your home you are selling, is not difficult with some planning and preparation. For additional staging tips and ideas and to list your home on the market, contact One Percent Guys today at 416-458-9252.
