While spring and summer are the most popular season to sell a home in Philadelphia, many people want or need to sell in the middle of winter. Thankfully, there are some people who also need to BUY in the middle of winter. You can take steps to make your home attractive to potential buyers when selling your home in the off season. Whether this is your first time selling a home, or just your first time selling in the fall or winter, some of these tricks can help reduce the time your home is on the market, which is every seller’s goal!
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1. Update Your Photos.
You don’t want to show your home looking like a snow-covered blob, but you want to make sure people know your house was just listed. Exterior photos showing tulips and pool toys give the impression that your home has been on the market a long time, or that it might otherwise look unappealing in the winter. Buyers might also assume changes have been made since the previous photos have been taken. And we know not all changes are always for the better! However, take the photos before you put up holiday decorations. You want potential buyers to appreciate your home’s natural curb appeal, and not your icicle lights!
2. Keep Clutter to a Minimum.
While this can be hard at any time of year, in the winter it can be especially tough. Holiday decorations, winter coats and boots, and toys that would normally be outside in better weather can accumulate in your living space. Rent a storage space or neatly stack boxes in the garage or basement with extra dishes, photos, toys and knick-knacks. Maybe put out minimal holiday decorations – to make your home look festive, but not crowded. Skipping the holiday décor all together is okay too. You want buyers to picture themselves living in the space, not the person who already lives there!
3. Stay Warm.
Turning up your thermostat can encourage potential buyers to stay longer. Cold homes might scare people into thinking there is an issue with the furnace, insulation or windows. Warmth creates a sense of home. If you have a gas fireplace, you can up the cozy factor by making sure it’s on during showings and open houses.
4. Light Up the House.
Lighting plays a big role in how your house shows. Try to encourage showing during the day, and be okay with people wanting to see it in the afternoon. Although days are shorter in winter, leaving less time for buyers to stop by, being flexible about showings will help potential buyers see your home at its best. If you must show your home at night, add extra lamps. Dark corners can make your rooms seem smaller and less inviting. Turn on floor lamps and table lamps before a showing or open house. Make your home welcoming!
While the Philadelphia housing market is season-dependent, that certainly doesn’t mean there are no home transactions in the winter! By employing simple tricks to make your home more attractive, you can make a sale before the spring housing season even gets started.
If you are looking for help selling your house, please contact me providing information about your unique situation, and I’ll let you know how I can help. Thanks for reading Agent Lady’s blog and I hope to see you here more often. Also, leave some comments below if you have anything to add.
About Agent Lady: Cherise Wynne is a leading real estate agent in Philadelphia, helping home buyers and sellers navigate the City of Brotherly Love, with a special focus on first time home buyers. To chat about getting started with your first time home buying experience, click here.
