We all know that winter is traditionally the slowest season for the real estate industry. There are many reasons such as cold weather, holidays, and school is usually in full swing, to name a few. But what if I told you this year might be a little different? Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, predicts, “This will be one of the best winter sales seasons in history.” There is. If you are thinking of selling your home this winter, please make the following preparations.
safety first – When you put your home on the market, you take on a whole new level of responsibility, and your listing agreement with your real estate agent will usually state that the real estate agent is not responsible. Inviting the public into your home is like opening a retail store where you are responsible for their safety and health. It is essential to keep all walkways and driveways free of ice and snow and to brush away trees and bushes with a broom. Also note how quickly it gets dark this time of year. It’s a good idea to have both the inside and outside of your home lit so potential buyers can see it when they drive by.
Keep it simple with some embellishments – If you’re trying to sell your home during the holidays and are keen on holiday decorations, make sure the decorations add accent but don’t overdo it. Some real estate experts say you should forego decorations altogether, but if your neighborhood is in a festive mood and everyone is participating, you can decorate your home with one of the only houses in the dark. You may actually be doing yourself a disservice by becoming one, and that’s not very appealing. For a show, if you have a fireplace, you can light a fire and play some relaxing holiday music.
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Working from home Space is important – Working from home has become more important than ever these days, and this trend seems to be influencing home preferences as well. With the increase in remote work, the need for home office space is increasing for those who previously worked in an office. If you have an office space, try using it as an accent. Even if you don’t have an extra room to use as an office, try to find a space in your home where you can put a desk. If you don’t plan on showing your home, be sure to mention an office room or space in your property description so buyers can imagine living and working there.
patience and kindness – Be aware of the potential pitfalls of winter weather conditions this season. Patience is definitely a virtue as everything slows down a bit in the cold and screenings are very likely to be delayed. Hopefully, the real estate agent scheduled to view your home will let you know if he or she is running late or is likely to be late, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. While it’s always recommended to leave your home during screenings, it’s not always possible, especially if you’re working from home. If you have to be home during a screening, I always recommend grabbing a book or laptop and sitting in your garage until the screening is over. Last winter, I had a stay-at-home client with young children, and she actually had her minivan packed with snacks, blankets, and fun activities. When her doorbell rang, she would simply move the entire troupe. The kids saw it as an adventure and showed real estate agents and potential buyers how much they loved having the house to themselves.