Hey,
If you’re pondering the idea of selling your home, you might be wondering whether it’s a good idea to list it during the winter months or wait for the warmer embrace of spring. While it’s true that winter has a reputation for being a quieter season in the world of home sales, it’s important to know that the market doesn’t close its doors when the temperature drops. In fact, there are some compelling reasons why selling your home during winter can be a smart move. Rightmove have announced that February is in fact the best month to sell a home, read their article here.
Here’s our take on it:
**Advantage 1: Serious Buyers**
During the winter season, many potential buyers are focused on holiday festivities and cozying up by the fireplace. However, those who do venture out in search of a new home are often highly motivated and genuinely interested in making a purchase. These individuals are more likely to make offers, making your selling experience smoother and more efficient.
**Advantage 2: Reduced Competition**
The winter months typically see fewer homes hitting the market. With less inventory available, your luxury property will naturally attract more attention. This means a higher proportion of buyers will consider your home. Furthermore, with fewer options available, potential buyers are more inclined to act swiftly if they find a property that captures their heart.
So, don’t let the winter chill discourage you. Embrace the season and its unique advantages when selling your home. In this blog, we’ll delve into seven tips to help you make your luxury property stand out and attract potential buyers during the winter months. Let’s get started with the first tip!
Even if the wind is howling and the rain is pouring, the virtual world of the internet is always accessible. In fact, during the winter, many potential homebuyers find themselves cozily house-bound, providing them with ample time to explore online property listings. Plus, estate agents’ doors and phone lines are as open as ever.
So, if you’re eager to secure a sale this winter, it’s time to give your marketing a fresh touch for the season. Get ready to show potential buyers that your home is a true gem, regardless of what’s happening in the weather outside! With the right online presence and a cozy, inviting atmosphere inside your property, you’ll be well on your way to attracting motivated buyers during the winter months. Let’s dive into the details in the upcoming tips
With that, here are our top 7 tips to help you sell your home this winter:
1. Style for the season
Embrace the winter season by giving your home a cozy and inviting ambiance. One easy transformation is updating your soft furnishings and accessories. Swap out lighter cushions and throws for richer, heavier fabrics in deeper hues, instantly adding warmth to your rooms.
Consider using pillar candles in storm lanterns to cast a delightful glow, creating an attractive focal point on your coffee table, sideboard, or kitchen countertop. Infuse the air with the scents of the season using winter-themed candles like cinnamon, spiced pumpkin, or orange.
For a lively touch, introduce low-maintenance green plants like peace lilies and Boston ferns, or opt for potted orchids to enjoy long-lasting blooms with a hint of spring on the horizon.
And if you’re wondering about Christmas decorations, go ahead, but keep them tastefully understated to maintain the natural beauty of your space.
Read about our top home styling accessories for selling your home.
2. Maximise light
In winter, when natural light is at a premium, it’s essential to maximize daylight during viewings to avoid a dull interior. Pull back the curtains and ensure blinds are fully rolled up, while also clearing window sills of any large objects that may obstruct the flow of light into a room. Additionally, consider how you can enhance the lighting to showcase the size of each room, with a particular focus on emphasizing the height to make spaces feel more open and spacious. A straightforward solution is to invest in higher-wattage light bulbs, which can brighten up your entire home.
To create a warm and inviting ambiance, incorporate plenty of lamps throughout your living spaces, ensuring your property feels well-lit and welcoming during winter viewings.
3. Turn your garden into a winter wonderland
As the winter season brings shorter daylight hours, it’s a great idea to enhance the exterior of your home with garden lights, adding a touch of “winter wonderland” charm. There’s a wide array of all-weather lighting options for your outdoor spaces, from strings of fairy lights adorning trees and summer houses to stakes for lawns or borders, as well as spotlights for pathways. Many of these lighting solutions are solar-powered, so once they’re installed, you won’t have to worry about plugs or timers.
For homes with a terrace or outdoor seating area, consider adding solar-powered lanterns for a magical ambiance. If you want to go the extra mile, think about investing in a heat lamp or fire pit that can easily accompany you to your next home, providing warmth and a cozy atmosphere for outdoor gatherings during the winter months.
Click here to learn about styling your garden to sell in six easy steps.
4. Refresh your photography
To keep your home looking appealing in advertisements, it’s important to align your photography with the current season. If your existing photos were taken during the summer, consider talking to your agent about updating them.
For interior shots, it’s best to schedule a photo session after you’ve refreshed your styling for winter, but before you adorn your home with Christmas decorations, as these can make the pictures feel too specific to a certain time of the year. When it comes to the exterior shots, ensure that the photographer captures images during twilight when there’s a beautiful balance of natural and artificial light. With plenty of lights on both inside and outside, your home will emit a warm glow, and the garden will twinkle, creating a captivating visual for potential buyers.
For our super secret tips for taking the best property photographs, read our blog post here.
5. Stay on top of maintenance
During the wintertime, with increased rain, wind, frost, and the possibility of snow, it’s essential to pay extra attention to maintaining your home’s exterior. Even if you don’t have a viewing scheduled, remember that potential buyers might pass by to assess your home from the outside, so daily maintenance is a good practice.
Here are three key tasks to stay on top of:
- Keep paths clear of leaves, snow, and other debris.
- Ensure that drains are clear to prevent rainwater from pooling or flooding.
- When it’s icy, use salt to de-ice the driveway and paths for safety.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the cleanliness of your windows since low light can be unforgiving. You’ll want your home to shine and look its best, even during the darker winter months.
6. Get set for perfect winter viewings
On colder days, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for potential buyers is key. To achieve this, you can begin by adjusting the indoor temperature, ensuring that your home feels comfortably warm. Lighting fires and candles throughout your space can add a cozy ambiance, making visitors feel right at home. It’s also important to make sure that every room is well-lit, enhancing the overall welcoming atmosphere.
For the exterior of your home, check that garden and other outdoor lights are illuminated, providing clear visibility for visitors as they approach. Additionally, it’s a good idea to have a designated area where guests can hang up their coats and leave their umbrellas and boots. If you lack a porch or hallway, consider placing a coat stand by the front door, and don’t forget to provide a clean doormat.
As a thoughtful touch, offering viewers a warm beverage and perhaps a seasonal treat like a mince pie or gingerbread can go a long way in making them feel welcome and comfortable. Creating a hospitable environment can leave a lasting positive impression and hopefully result in potential buyers departing with happy memories of the viewing and your home.
7. Discuss the festive period with your agent
As the holiday season approaches, it’s important to coordinate with your estate agent regarding their business hours during Christmas and New Year. Keep them informed about your own plans, including any specific days when you’ll be entertaining or hosting family and friends, as these may not be ideal for property viewings.
If you anticipate a very busy schedule over Christmas, you might consider taking a brief hiatus from the selling process for a couple of weeks. The best approach is to have an open conversation with your agent to devise a strategy for the festive period. This way, you can relax and enjoy the holidays while ensuring you don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with a potential perfect buyer. By working together with your agent, you can strike the right balance between enjoying your holiday and managing your property sale effectively.
If you’re keen to sell and are ready to start marketing your home this festive season, get in touch and we can discuss the best strategy for finding you a buyer this winter.
And if you’re already on the market with another agent but are struggling to sell, we may be able to help you secure a sale ahead of Christmas – so give us a call! Phone on 01702 411146 or email us on team@weaversestates.co.uk and we’ll get straight back to you.
