Top Tips For Selling Your Home This Winter

Kevin Shaw, sales managing director at LRG, says: “It can be difficult to show off the best features of a property in poor weather or on days where it is dark by mid-afternoon. But by following a few simple steps, sellers can create a warm and inviting atmosphere to improve saleability during the winter.”

Kevin has shared some of his top tips with us on how to make your home stand out at this time of year...

First impressions

Buyers will make a judgement on your home within seconds of setting eyes on it. The outside is also where the impact of the weather could hit hardest, so focusing on this area is a must. It is common for paths, driveways and entrances to look dull and dirty, so be prepared to sweep up and clean as much as possible to make your property more appealing. Seasonal decorations can also help potential buyers to instantly imagine living in your property, throughout the years.

Warmth and light

Warmth and light are two qualities that will make your home more inviting in winter. If the viewing is taking place after dark make sure both the inside and outside of your home are well lit, and that all lights, including security lights, are working. Make sure curtains or blinds are wide open to allow natural light inside, and on a dull day switch on lights to help brighten rooms. Buyers will be put off by a cold house, so make sure the heating is on or light a fire to create a warm and cosy environment.

Focus on floors

Treading in dirt, rain, snow and leaves is a frequent occurrence in the winter, but dirty floors and carpets will be off-putting for buyers. So make a special effort to keep your floors clean and tidy to set the right impression.

A great garden

Your garden takes the brunt of bad weather and it is easy to let it get out of hand in the winter. But buyers can be put off if they believe too much work is required to get the garden back in shape, so ensure you stay on top of it in the run-up to putting a property on the market. Mow the lawn (if it isn't covered in snow that is!), cut back branches, fix the shed door or garden gate, and trim larger bushes.

Tackling seasonal maintenance

There are a number of tasks that need to be done during winter which you should stay on top of so buyers can see your home is well maintained. For instance, clearing drains of dead leaves and making sure gutters and down pipes are not blocked or leaking. Buyers look closely for signs of problems so it is worth making the effort to get those maintenance tasks sorted.

Kevin adds: “Small touches can make all the difference when it comes to selling in winter, so spend some time on enhancing your home’s appeal before viewings.”