The real estate market can be a tricky beast to conquer, but the truth is that the nature of the real estate market is that homes are bought and sold at all times of the year. Since the real estate market is seasonal, winter and fall are usually the quiet seasons. Not to mention the rising increases in Federal interest rates, the market can definitely seem a little slow. However, do not worry! At the Brandon and Lana Team, we know how to advise anyone on how to make their home more sellable to buyers and we’re gonna let you in on our secrets.
Lock Down That Staging!
The National Association of Realtors reports that 82% of buyers’ agents inputted that staging a home made a home sell exponentially quicker than homes that were not staged. It’s easier for prospective buyers to visualize the space becoming their own if they can see how it would look if it were lived in. For the cold season, make sure your home is staged appropriately so that buyers coming in from the outside weather can be greeting with a warm and cozy atmosphere!
Light Up Your Home!
During the Colorado winter months, there is significantly less natural lighting to brighten up your home when buyers come to view it. This lack of positive lighting can really impact the way that buyers feel in your home and how well they can imagine their new life there. Make sure to add lots of indoor lighting with warm bulbs to ensure that your home is welcoming to anyone who steps inside. Also be sure to schedule your listing photoshoot for late morning or early afternoon to get the perfect natural lighting for your listing.
Clean Up Your House Of Course!
While the first impression of your home will probably come from the professional pictures that are uploaded to your listing, the second first impression will come when a buyer schedules a viewing to see your home. Upon this viewing, it is up to you to make sure that your home is in in the tidiest state possible. The last thing you want is to have your home smelling like pets, cigarettes, or old dishes in the sink. Make sure the trash is taken out, counters are wiped down, mirrors are spotless, and the floors are clean. And as a side note, this is the time of year to be sure to keep your driveway, patios, and decks clear of snow and ice so that buyers will be safe while viewing your home!
Excellent Home Maintenance
Do NOT leave home repairs for buyers to take care of. There may not even BE a buyer if you do this as a homeseller. Dilapidated home appliances and fixtures are also not cosmetically appealing and will be a major turn-off for potential buyers. Living in Colorado, you should make sure that you winterize your home so as to not damage your sprinkler system. Also, be sure to get your chimney and furnace inspected! Completing these maintenance tasks in advance will allow you to easily pass on your home inspection when you do get an offer!
Remember that failing to prepare means that you’re preparing to fail, and we don’t want to see you fail! Even though selling your home during the offseason of real estate can seem overwhelming, using these tips will definitely help you stay on top of the market. Make sure to contact us at the Brandon and Lana team with any questions you may have about your potential in this real estate market and how we can help you! See you next week! Contact Us!