Did you know that activity levels on Rightmove and Zoopla typically soar between Christmas and New Year?
Buyers planning a move in the coming year are actively looking now, which makes winter a great time to put your home on the market.
It also means you get ahead of the Spring bounce when the market becomes really busy and your home is competing for attention with so many others.
Whilst the weather might not be on your side at this time of year, there are lots of ways to make your property more appealing to winter buyers.
Here's our Top Tips on how to sell your home in winter:
Create a cosy feel
When the skies are grey and temperatures outside are chilly, a warm and welcoming home can be instantly attractive to would-be buyers. Turn the heating on in every room and set the thermostat to a warm temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius.
This season is also a great opportunity to showcase features like fireplaces, wood burners or range cookers, so make sure they’re lit when buyers visit your home (provided it’s safe to do so).
Add texture to your living room and bedrooms by using throws, cushions and rugs and invest in diffusers or scented candles – there are lots of lovely ones on the market and creating a warm, fresh-smelling home is a great start to selling.
Make sure your home has curb appeal
Get the basics right, add a couple of touches and your home will instantly stand out from the crowd. Clean your windows and your front door. If the latter’s looking a little tired, then spruce it up with a fresh coat of paint.
Add new address numbers, a new doormat and update your outside lighting. If you’ve got a woodburning stove, store logs neatly in your porch – all easy ways to make your home look welcoming when buyers come to view.
Remove any vehicles from your driveway front of house, together with any toys and bikes and tidy your front garden. Invest in a winter hanging basket by your front door or winter planters to add a splash of colour.
Make use of artificial lighting
During winter, there’s less natural light so compensate by using mirrors and lamps and have these switched on when viewers come round. Mirrors are great for making a room look larger, while lamps are much softer than main lighting, helping to create a cosy look.
Keep floors clean
Treading in dirt, rain and leaves is a frequent occurrence in the winter, but dirty floors and carpets will be off-putting for buyers. Make a special effort to keep your floors clean and tidy at all times to give the best impression.
Organise your garage
A neat and tidy garage can give your viewer a positive feeling about how the rest of your home has been maintained. Sweep the floor and make your garage space look larger with shelving or benches, using storage hooks to get tools and bikes off the floor.
Continue to look after your garden
It’s easy to let your garden get out of hand in the winter, but buyers can be put off if they feel like it would be too much work to get it back in shape. Ensure you stay on top of the work before you put your property on the market. Mow the lawn, cut back branches and large bushes and sweep up leaves.
Local and trusted expertise to sell your home this winter
If you’re thinking of selling your home this winter, our experienced teams can help. With an in-depth knowledge of the local property market, we know what’s selling, at what price and what homebuyers are really looking for.
Using our state-of-the-art virtual tour and photography technology, we can also capture the imagery of your home now, before you decorate for Christmas. An interactive map allows prospective buyers to navigate each of your rooms with ease, giving them the sense they’re really there viewing your property in person. That’s not just convenient for them - it’s also a great way for you to showcase your home, knowing that any in-person viewings this winter will only be from serious, qualified buyers.
If you’d like to move in 2022, contact your local office for a free no-obligation valuation and take a step towards your next home.
