Noone buys during the holidays. There is no point in selling until spring. If it doesn’t sell by August it’s not going to sell.

How many times have you heard, perhaps even said the above statements?

While it is true that summer is the best time to show your property - the flowers are in bloom, the grass is green, the sun pours through your southern-facing windows -there are many techniques and staging elements that can increase the desireability of your home during the winter.

And while summer showings seem more plentiful adn more often - families with school-age children prefer to move between school years and a sunny day is a great day to go window shopping for real estate - that certainly doesn’t mean that the market stops when the days get colder.

The circumstances that lead people to buy and sell homes do not start in spring and stop in August. And since there are always consumers needing to buy homes, there is always a market for the home you are selling.

In this section we will discuss staging, preparing, and showing your home in fall and winter. In tomorrow’s section we will discuss how to market your home during the that time.

Preparing your home for Buyers

Fall and winter can bring rain, sleet, ice, and wind, all elements that you will need to prepare for. Of paramount importance is safety - for you and for your visitors.

Safety Issues 

• Leaves can be slippery or hide uneven footing. Make sure all leaves are swept from sidewalks, driveways, porches and gutters and removed.
• Shovel snow and remove ice from sidewalks (including the one that runs along the street) and the driveway and porch.
• Provide doormats both inside and outside your entry way for your visitors to wipe their shoes.
• Make sure that outdoor lighting works and is lighted for late afternoon and evening showings.
• Remove any icicles from above the entryway and any walkways/pergolas.

Ambience

• Even with the high price of fuel, it is important that your home be warm and inviting for your visitors so turn up your heat before they arrive. If you do not have a programmable thermostat you may want to purchase one.
• Wash those windows - sun light is a precious gift in winter and your visitors will notice anything that interferes with that light. Clean blinds, drapes and light fixtures and open drapes for day-time showings.
• Never underestimate the power of scent - candles or fragrance disseminators can create a great sense of warmth - use spice scents or baked-good scents, stay away from the overpowering holiday fragrances.
• Remember that homes lack air circulation during the colder months so pay attention to removing any musty, mildew, or pet odors.
• Open the shades,turn on the lights, if you have a fireplace, light it.
• If you put up seasonal decorations it is best to be conservative. A few tasteful elements that complement your interior design are fine but personal or sentimental items should be temporarily stowed away while visitors are touring.
• Subtle background music can be a plus.

Presentation

• Treat your visitors like honored guests. Set the dining room table with the good place settings.
• If it is appropriate have a small sign of welcome - cookies, cider, candy, etc.
• Use colorful accents throughout the house to brighten things up.

Tomorrow - Marketing your home in the “Off Season”