As winter approaches, many people wonder if they have missed the best time of year to sell their house. Traditionally, spring and early summer have been considered the best seasons to try to sell a house. They are not, however, the only seasons when you can sell a house and in some areas (for instance, Phoenix), not even the best. It may be a little tougher and take more preparation, but you definitely can sell your house this winter in Seattle. Here are our 10 tips to help you do just that, especially to get your house ready for winter showings.
1. Work on Curb Appeal
Curb appeal means how your house looks when a buyer first drives up. First impressions are hugely important, especially if you want to sell your house this winter in Seattle. So you have to work on curb appeal. At this time of year, that means primarily keeping leaves raked up, dead branches picked up, and walkways clear.
2. Keep Main Paths Clear
We do not get very much snow in Seattle. But when it does snow it can seem the whole city is shut down. If your house is on sale when the bad weather strikes, it will be important to make sure that does not deter buyers from visiting. Winter brings snow and ice, so you’ll need to make sure you keep walkways and entry areas clear. Shovel them clear when necessary, and sprinkle sand or salt to keep them that way. Not only will this help with curb appeal, but it will also keep viewers safe. Nothing dampens the home-buying mood like a hard fall on slick concrete.
3. Let in Lots of Light
During the winter days are shorter and often overcast and darker, so to sell your house this winter in Seattle, you’ll need to let in lots of light. Push back drapes, pull up blinds, and open the shutters to let in the light and brighten your home. You can also hang some mirrors to further brighten your home and buyers’moods. LED candles and a few extra lamps can also add much-needed light when buyers are touring after dark.
4. Do Cold-Weather Maintenance
It’s critical that your house be warm and draft free so that viewers are comfortable and not worried about high utility bills. Make sure, then, to perform the standard cold-weather maintenance tasks like caulking around windows and replacing door seals. And don’t forget to change out the HVAC filter so that the heater is functioning optimally.
5. Brighten Walls
Brightening walls will brighten your home’s interior and make it more appealing on dark winter days. Repaint dingy and dark-colored walls in bright neutral tones to drive out winter’s gloom and appeal to buyers.
6. Make It Inviting and Cozy
Besides letting in light and brightening walls, you’ll also need to create an inviting and cozy atmosphere to sell your house this winter in Seattle. You can make your home’s interior a friendly, welcoming space by accessorizing and with throws and pillows and having the fireplace cheerfully burning.
7. Be Sensible with Seasonal Decor
Yes, you’ll want some seasonal décor and decorations, but do be sensible with them. That means avoiding religious-themed holiday décor and the garish kitsch. Just make sure it’s all done tastefully and in a way that won’t offend anyone.
8. Make It Sparkle
If you really want to sell your house this winter take the time and invest the elbow grease to make everything sparkle. You could start by washing windows and dusting light fixtures and ceiling fan blades. Then, move on to polishing the chrome on kitchen and bathroom fixtures, cleaning mirrors, and shining appliances.
9. Get Rid of the TV
Yes, get the TV out of the living room because that big, black, blank screen is actually an eyesore diverting buyers’ attention from more important things. Once you’ve removed the TV, reconsider the furniture arrangement. The goal is to maximize space and make sure the arrangement complements and draws attention to the best features in the room.
10. Partner With a Local Agent
Our final tip to help you sell your house this winter in Seattle is simply to use the best professional help available. That means partnering with a reputable local real estate agent who can assist with both marketing and staging.
