With busy holiday schedules, travel to warmer locales and blustery conditions outdoors, many sellers worry that listing in the winter is a recipe for disaster. However, with fewer homes on the market, listing in the slower real estate season can help sellers get more interest from eager buyers.
It’s also a great time of year to up the cozy quotient in a home by making its features stand out. Here are six ways to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for buyers, even as Old Man Winter rages on outdoors:
1. Light a fire
If you have a fireplace – whether wood, electric or gas – get it nice and stoked for open house visitors to add a feeling of hospitality and coziness to your home.
2. Add warm touches
Layer throw blankets, cushions and quilts throughout your home, like at the foot of a bed, in a cozy reading chair or on the sofa. Rugs also feel nice underfoot and add visual warmth to a space.
3. Illuminate your home
Winter can be dark and dreary, so you’ll want to turn on the lights in your home. Overhead and task lighting are both important, but so is lighting to create a peaceful ambiance.
4. Highlight entertaining abilities
Wintertime, especially around the holidays, is a popular time for hosting guests. Set the dining table with beautiful dishware, display fresh flowers and show how welcoming your home can be for entertaining.
5. Showcase outdoor spaces
Covered porches, gazebos and outdoor fireplaces can all be enjoyed during the winter months. Keep these areas furnished and clear from snow to show-off their year-round potential. Fill empty urns and planters with winter greens for a touch of colour.
6. Emphasize your special indoor spaces
Sunrooms, playrooms, home gyms, heated garages and indoor workshops will appeal to buyers looking for an escape from the humdrum of winter. Stage these areas for their intended uses to highlight their potential as areas to relax, stay fit, engage in hobbies and have fun.
7. Decorate for the season
Twinkling lights, fresh wintergreens, lit candles and seasonal aromas can impart a cozy, wintery feeling in your home. Just remember that less is more – keep it subtle and don’t go overboard.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let selling in the winter deter you from making your next move. The colder months allow you to showcase your home in ways that you may not be able to in the height of summer, plus there is less competition in the market to steal attention from eager buyers.
To learn more, please contact Deborah Clerk, Real Estate Sales Representative and ASA at Keller Williams Realty Solutions, Brokerage, in Mississauga, Ontario.
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