The winter is usually the slowest home selling season. The main focus is on family and the holidays, not on buying a home. Most homeowners take their homes off the market for the winter. 

Time to hibernate and wait for spring! Or is it?

Perhaps your winter selling strategy needs an adjustment. Strategize for the season. Take advantage of seasonal opportunities, current market trends, home care and staging tips, and sell your home this winter.

Seasonal Opportunities:

Winter typically means a slow down in sales, but job relocations, divorces, and other situations keep the market humming. The buyers are out there, and those buyers are serious about finding a home. Demand will be high with fewer homes on the market. Take caution not to overprice your home. Price the home competitively according to your local market.  

The timeline from signing a purchase contract to closing day will be shorter in the winter. Lenders and real estate professionals generally have less business this time of year. The buying and selling process will be expedited with fewer delays and holdups. 

Current Market Trends:

Current market trends are favorable to both buyers and sellers. As a homeowner, you are in a good position to sell your home and buy your next one. Home prices are projected to appreciate over 25% from now until 2018. Waiting to sell may result in a higher listing price, but lower number of qualified buyers. Mortgage rates are also projected to increase over the next year. Maximize your selling potential by taking advantage of the current low mortgage rates and seasonal market trends. 

13 Tips to Help Sell Your Home This Winter:

Follow these simple and effective home care and staging tips to ensure your home sells this winter:

1. Take photographs of your home outside before the snow falls. A snow-covered home may look festive, but the features of your home will be hidden. 
2. Clear the driveway, sidewalks, and steps from snow and ice. Use sand and deicers as needed to keep walking areas neat and safe for visitors. 
3. Keep holiday decorations simple and clean. Less is more.
4. Inform buyers of town plowing schedules and upkeep of neighborhood streets.
5. Keep scents from candles, plug-in air fresheners, and room sprays to a minimum. Use warm and gentle fragrances. Lavender and rosemary bouquets are a natural way to scent your home.
6. Encourage showings during daylight hours for maximum lighting. 
7. Have a timer set for indoor and outdoor lights if you won’t be home before a showing.
8. Hire a professional window cleaner for indoor and outdoor cleaning. Crystal clear windows will help maximize light in the house.
9. Make sure the house is warm and cozy. Add blankets, throws, and area rugs to each room. Turn the thermostat up for the showing. Have a timer set if you won’t be home. 
10. Keep indoor decorations simple, green, natural, and seasonally appropriate.
11. Show buyers you take exceptional care of your home. Request guests to take off shoes and offer paper booties. 
12. Keep shovels, snow blowers, deicing materials, and winter gear stowed away. 
13. Provide buyers with a list of local winter and seasonal activities. 

Time to create a seasonal strategy and increase your chances of selling your home this winter. Seasonal opportunities, current market trends, and simple home care and staging tips will help sell your home this winter.

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