Selling During The Winter

Having a home for sale in during the winter can be challenging. Most people sell their homes during the spring or summer months. And there are many good reasons for this. Buyers typically want to see what the yard looks like-the landscaping, flowers and trees. The overall curb appeal is very important for selling a home quickly. Plus, children are out of school for the summer which makes transitioning to a new home much easier.

In the winter, there are fewer buyers and more homes on the market for sale. Another challenge that real estate agents contend with, particularly in New Hampshire, is winter weather. To make the most of every opportunity to sell your home during the lean winter months there are several things that you must do to ensure a quick sale. The most important consideration is to keep the driveway and walkways clean and ice-free. You certainly don't want a potential buyer to slip and fall. This means a little extra shoveling and attention to those areas. Keep plenty of ice melt on hand, and preferably the kind that will not soil carpets. Avoid rock salt as it is corrosive and staining. Remove snow from the overhang of your roof to prevent ice dams for forming. This is one thing that potential buyers viewing a house in the winter will look for in terms of problems with the house. A simple roof rake can pull snow from 10 feet from the edge and allow the snow on the roof to melt.

Remember that the very first impression a potential buyer will see is the outside of the house. Another challenge in having a home for sale during the winter months is keeping the carpet clean. Buy several quality floor mats for visitors to wipe their feet on while entering your house. Consider the entry. Maybe have buyers come through a kitchen or garage door would be more conducive to keeping the carpets clean. Work this out ahead of time with your real estate agent. With the shorter days and the sun lower in the sky, sometimes a home can appear dark. Be sure to have lights turned on ahead of your visitors touring to create a warm, well-lit atmosphere. If you have a fireplace, light it. If your visitors feel warm and welcome, they will find more things that they like about your home because they are comfortable. When you think about it, winter presents a great opportunity to showcase your home as the inviting and cozy atmosphere it should be.