Many sellers wait until June or later to put their home on the market. The top day to sell is June 28, with a seller premium of over 9%. Surprisingly, the top five dates for selling include four dates that are earlier than that, and one is as early as February 15.
If you are selling a house in the winter, there are certain mistakes to avoid. Check out our best tips for winter home selling here. We are your local Fort Lauderdale FL home buyers that can help you with your situation. We buy houses in Fort Lauderdale Florida even during winter and we’re able to offer cash for houses in Florida.
Selling a House in the Winter
You might think that winter is a terrible time to sell your home but think again. It could be a great time to sell.
Winter may be a tough time to sell for two main reasons. The holiday season means people have other things on their minds. Winter weather could make traveling and viewing homes less attractive in winter.
The reality is that people often have more time to check listings and visit prospective homes during the holiday season. The weather might be a problem in some places but many southern locations have fine weather all year round.
A National Association of Realtors poll revealed that 76% of home buyers found their home on a mobile app. The internet has made it possible for buyers to search for a house easily. It doesn’t matter what time of year, what the weather is like or what time of the day or night it is.
Spring might be when most homes sell but buyers could be checking your home listing whenever they have a few minutes to check their phone. That means the holiday season might be a great time to get their attention.
Because sellers tend to believe that winter is not a great time to list their homes, for those that do, there is less competition. Less competition means your home has a chance to sell and to get a premium price.
Buyers that are active in winter are likely to be more serious than at other times of the year. They tend to be in the market because they have a deadline to meet. A lease expiration, job relocation or some other deadline means they can be more motivated buyers.
Don’t Wait
If you are ready to go to market, why wait? Just because more sales happen in spring, there’s no reason to wait till then to list your home. Homes do sell in winter and yours could be one of them.
You only need the right person to see your listing and make an offer for it to have been worthwhile. You’ve lost nothing if they don’t do this a few months later in spring.
Selling your home to a real estate investor is something you can do at any time of year. You could sell your home fast and meet your price expectations by doing this. You don’t have to wait until spring and you could avoid paying a Realtor and closing costs.
No Day is a Bad Day
If you get an inquiry about viewing your home from a prospective buyer on Christmas Eve it might be inconvenient but there’s a good reason to make the effort. A buyer who chooses the holiday period to house hunt is likely to have reasons for doing this. These reasons may make them more likely to buy than the average viewer.
Dress Your Rooms
Think of selling your home in the wintertime as an opportunity rather than a problem. Winter can be a great time to make your home look great with holiday decorations and other winter-themed additions to your rooms.
Dress your rooms with throws and soft furnishings to create a cozy feel. Bring color into your home with flowers. Set a table as if for a romantic celebration for two with champagne glasses and a bottle.
Make bathrooms warm and inviting with robes and piles of towels. Dress beds with cushions, a breakfast tray, and reading material. These touches help the prospective buyer to imagine themselves enjoying the comforts of your lovely home whatever the weather outside.
Light Up
If the days are shorter in winter, use artificial light to guide viewers to your door. Solar-powered lighting or conventional lighting can create great curb appeal. They guide and welcome visitors creating a good first impression.
Consider how best to illuminate each room. If viewers are likely to visit your home when the light is fading, have lighting that shows off each room to the best effect.
Clean and Shine
The holiday season might mean you have more visitors than at other times of the year. You may have seasonal decorations and your home could be more disrupted than normal. It’s all the more important to ensure that your home is clean and tidy when showing it off to regular buyers or cash investors.
Untidiness and lower standards of cleanliness are a distraction for buyers. It tends to make your home less appealing. If you have a viewing, clean up and tidy the holiday clutter.
Warm Welcome
If the temperature drops outside, make sure your home still offers a warm welcome. There’s nothing like the comfort of a warm home to make a potential buyer feel at home. That’s exactly how you want them to feel.
Even if the temperature isn’t cold outside, make the warmth of the welcome special. A big smile, a warm greeting, and a friendly approach will help them feel comfortable and relaxed in your home. With that state of mind, they can begin to appreciate the benefits of living in your home.
Mood Music
Be thoughtful about your choice of music. You might love rap music or the latest pop hits but recognize that they may not be to everybody’s taste. Set the right tone by choosing something that few people would find offensive.
Quiet classical music or soothing soft jazz can evoke calmness in most listeners. It’s not about impressing visitors with your musical taste. It’s about creating the most conducive environment to sell your home.
Holiday music, together with seasonal decorations could help to create a warm cozy feel. Avoid religious music and music that’s intrusive. Background music that sets the holiday mood is perfect.
Use Common Scents
Of all our senses, our sense of smell can be one of the most powerful. Don’t overpower visitors with strong-smelling plug-in air fresheners. Many people are allergic to them.
The smell of baking cookies is a popular aroma. Do have some cookies to offer visitors or it will seem like a clumsy piece of manipulation. It almost goes without saying but remove any unpleasant smells if you can.
Make a Move
If you’re ready to move, go ahead. Whatever the season, you can sell your house. Selling a house in the winter might be just what you do.
Sell My House in Fort Lauderdale FL
If you think you need to sell your house in Florida fast, then you may need us. We at Florida Cash Home Buyers are local homebuyers in Fort Lauderdale FL, and we’re helping local homeowners have a quick and hassle-free sale. If your Fort Lauderdale FL house qualifies, we can make you a quick and fair cash offer.