Every business has its peak and off-peak season, and the real estate business is not spared from it. Beth Braverman, in her article published on the REALTORS®'s website, Realtor, gives seven tips on how you can still sell your home quickly and for the right amount during this "off-season."
1. Skip the holiday décor
Stick to the basics decluttering and depersonalizing even during holidays.
David Peterson of Synergy Staging in Portland, Oregon, says "You never know who your potential buyer is. He adds, "We don't want to pigeonhole or potentially turn someone off."
2. Update your photos
Even if you don't put up a holiday decoration, your photos can still look dated as the seasons change. According to Agent Ace, you should provide pictures of your home at other times of the year to give buyers how the home looks like at any given time of the year. The more pictures you provide, the more that you can attract prospective buyers.
3. Keep the outside neat
Peterson advises , "Make sure it's neat and tidy. " Make sure that your driveway and walkways are clear and safe for visitors at all times.
4. Clear the entryway
Peterson says you'll want to ensure there's space for a few people to stand in the foyer, shed their winter clothes, and stomp off the debris on their shoes. You should provide then an umbrella stand and shoe covers to keep visitors from tracking mud and snow through your home.
5. Make it warm--literally and figuratively
Make sure that your Realtor® arrives early to turn on the thermostat before a showing to help potential buyers feel more comfortable.
Peterson says, "It's vital that a house be warm, (but) not too warm that people have to peel off all their clothes, but definitely not so cold that they want to get out as fast as possible."
6. Be more flexible with showings
During winter, think of the fewer hours of daylight, when your home looks its best so you can accommodate potential buyers who want to come for daytime visits.
7. Light it up
Having floor lamps and turning on all the lights will make the property feel more welcoming.
"Light up every dark corner because they can make a room feel smaller than it is," Jan Niebauer of Niebauer Realty in Milford, Michigan says. You might want to turn all your exterior lights if you have visitors coming at night.
