How To Prepare For A Fall Or Winter Home Sale

Spring may be the biggest season for home sales, but a great number of homes do sell in fall and winter also, and there are some good reasons to put your home on the market then. The key to preparing for a fast fall or winter home sale is to focus on making your home as inviting as possible.

Do your best to help home viewers feel cozy and welcome and show them your house is comfortable and inviting during all seasons. Here are some key suggestions upon which to focus as you stage your home for sale before you move to the place where you plan to enjoy your next adventures. 

Fall and winter curb appeal

An attractive façade is essential to a quick sale in any season. Rake leaves, branches and dirt off the lawn before snow buries them, turning them into a sloppy, slippery brown mess. A daily trip around the property with a powered up leaf blower works wonders. 

Flowers don't bloom in northern climates during the autumn and winter months, but a fresh coat of mulch spread on flower beds and trees creates a sense of neatness, highlights landscaping.

Snow cover can't be prevented but you can be certain it is removed from drives and walkways. In addition to necessary safety considerations home shoppers need to see the clean lines of the property.

Seasonal decor should be attractive but minimal. Perhaps a few pumpkins and gourds, maybe a potted mum beside a front entrance, a spotlit wreath on the front door. Tiny white lights are great, coordinated bulbs in tasteful shades if you can't resist color. 

Show off your home's all season appeal

You can't magically evaporate six inches of snow from your roof, drive and lawn, but you can create a photo album. Include multiple snapshots of your home, taken on lovely spring and summer days, with flowers blooming, green grass as a background. Feature the clear, blue water of a swimming pool, if you have one. 

Repairs that matter most to cold season home buyers

At minimum, seal out drafts. A chill breeze can freeze a home purchaser's impulse so, utilize weather stripping and insulation.

If you've recently had your furnace serviced, post the information sticker prominently. Don't forget to turn the thermostat up to a comfortable level and replace allergen filters.

Let the sun shine in - or turn on the daylight 

Open blinds, part curtains, let the sun's rays bathe your home's walls and furnishings. Light makes people happy. Cloudy day for a showing? Or maybe it's evening. Thankfully, today, electric light bulbs are available that effectively mimic sunlight, bringing delight into our lives and displaying our home most effectively.

LED bulbs cost virtually nothing to operate, and offer attractive illumination. Let buyers know if you've replaced all incandescent bulbs with LEDs and plan to leave them when you move.  

Create warm and cozy

Put a log on the fire, bake a pie or chocolate chip cookies. Spread a pretty, color coordinated fleece throw or quilt on an easy chair or sofa. Make sure the furnace is set at a comfortable temperature. Do anything you can think of to make your home look like an inviting place to be on a damp, chilly day. Plumped up pillows in neutral or well coordinated colors shout cozy too.

Decorate with taste and restraint

Minimalism is the mantra of home staging professionals. The trend can't be stressed enough to those putting their homes up for sale during the holidays. Cheerful holiday decor is all well and good; but not a living room overloaded with kitschy, eclectic decor. Use a non-overwhelming color combination, like two shades of silver, gold, green or white. 

Keep it clean and neat

Clean all the nooks, crannies, ceiling fan blades, blinds. Brush cobwebs from the corners. Don't forget to organize and clean beneath sinks. People who tour homes in the wintertime notice these types of things more than in summer, when outside attractions are more in focus. 

Have a positive outlook

One heartening thought upon which to reflect if your home is for sale during the holidays, is the fact that people shopping for a home during this season, usually have a specific reason. They are normally highly motivated and likely to purchase if your home suits their plans.

Would you rather avoid the traditional real estate sales waiting game? Get an offer from FlashHouse for a guaranteed sale during the off season.