Selling a home during the winter has a bad reputation. However, there is less competition during the winter months. You may need to relocate for a job, or are retiring and need to sell your home fast. It can be challenging to sell your home during the winter, but there are several methods to help overcome the challenge. With some extra work and preparation, you can ensure that buyers will fall in love with your home, no matter the temperature outside.
1. Update Lighting
The outside of your home is the first thing a potential buyer sees. Therefore, making your house look as good as possible from the outside is important. Daylight is a precious commodity during our Milwaukee winters, and by keeping your home well lit, you can create a more inviting home. We suggest adding path lighting or spotlights to your home to create a warm and comforting aesthetic.
2. Shovel, Shovel, Shovel
Shoveling is probably the least-liked winter activity, but if you’re looking to sell your home in during the winter, it is vital. Keeping a clear path ensures that potential buyers can easily enter your home, plus it looks better. Walking on snow naturally packs it to the ground, creating a slippery path. By shoveling regularly, you can avoid this potential hazard Additionally, be sure to consistently salt your sidewalk and driveway, and consider buying a rubber doormat to help curtail the excess snow tracked into your home.
3. Keep The Heat Running
One of the first things someone will notice when coming into your home from the cold outdoors is the heat. You may be tempted to lower the heat to reduce the energy bill, but a colder home can send the wrong signal to potential buyers. By running your heat consistently, you can create a welcoming environment and encourage people to stick around longer. This will also show potential buyers that your home’s heating system is in working order.
4. Tune Up Major Appliances
If you keep your heat running throughout the winter, we suggest having your heating system, and other major appliances, tuned up and fixed before your first showing. Having a major appliance malfunction during a showing could be a red flag to potential buyers. We suggest hiring an expert to inspect, or fix your HVAC system and other major appliances to ensure everything is in working order before your first showing.
5. Clean Everything
No one likes an unclean home. By thoroughly cleaning your home, you can showcase the homes natural beauty and character. During the cleaning process be sure to pay attention to often neglected areas:
- Fan blades
- Under sinks (including pipes)
- Inside the fridge
- Around and behind the washer/dryer
- Light fixtures
- Sink, tub, and shower grout
When cleaning your home, don’t forget about the exterior. Tidying up landscaping, raking leaves, or mowing the grass (all assuming no snow has fallen yet), can help showcase the curb appeal of your home.
If you don’t want to go through the struggle of cleaning every inch of your home, you may want to consider hiring a professional cleaner to do the work for you.
6. Seal Up Drafts
Drafty windows can be a problem for many Wisconsinites. They can create a colder home, and in turn, increase energy bills. A drafty window is easily noticeable and could warn potential buyers that there is a problem with the home’s heating and cooling systems. Be sure to use caulk and weatherstripping where necessary to keep the cold from leaking in through the windows.
7. Showcase A Variety Of Photography
By a variety of photography, we don’t mean random pictures, rather pictures of your home during the different seasons. Most people agree that a home looks better during the spring and summer months. Displaying photos of your home during the warmer months can show potential buyers what they can expect the home to look like come springtime. We suggest using photos with no date stamps, as this could signal that the home has been on the market for a long time, which many buyers see as a red flag.
8. Decorate Smartly
Interior decorating adds character and personality to your home, but having too much of it can make the home look small and cluttered. When decorating the interior of your home, try to use a few, highly-attractive pieces of furniture or decor to really make your home stand out. Additionally, we recommend using a artificial plants instead of real ones, as this can decrease the risk of someone having an allergic reaction. In order to get top dollar for your home, most people will need to hire a home stager.
When decorating the outside of your home during the holidays, it’s important to keep it simple and pleasant. Too many holiday decorations can be off-putting when trying to sell your home.
9. Create A Welcoming Mood
Last on our list is creating a welcoming mood. During the winter, a home is seen as a cozy place relax and enjoy the indoors. Use effective lighting, like a candle or two, to help welcome people into your home. If your home has a fireplace, it may be nice have that running as well. Consider adding subtle, pleasant smells to the inside of your home, but be sure not to use anything too overpowering. Additionally, think about serving seasonal food and drink (i.e. hot cocoa, cider, or cookies) to the guests. All this can help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, encouraging buyers to stick around longer.
Wrapping Up
Winter may not sound like the optimal time to sell your home in Wisconsin, but if you need to do so, using some of the tips above can help your home stand out in the market. Additionally, if you need your home to sell fast, consider selling to a home investor like us at Dropseed Development. We buy homes any time of year, meaning you do not have to worry about the hassle of selling your home during the winter.
