7 Tips to Help You Sell Your Home During the 'Off-Season'

If you’ve ever sold a home before or have even looked into it, you know that spring is widely considered to be the peak season. Not only will you have more potential buyers, but the days are also longer, the kids are in school, and so on. However, according to Realtor.com, there are also benefits to selling your home in the fall or winter, as buyers are likely to be more motivated, and you can sometimes sell for top dollar since buyers have fewer homes to choose from.

Usually there’s also less competition on the market, but you’ll want to check on how hot the local market is to better help shape your decisions. In Marietta, for example, it’s taking just 13 days on average to sell a home, compared to 24 days a year earlier. So, don’t wait until next spring comes around to put your home on the market. Here are seven tips from Real Estate For Atlanta to help you sell in the colder months.

Do Your Landscaping

Curb appeal still matters in the winter. It’s important to maintain basic landscaping — not just because it looks better, but also because you want your property to be safe for yourself and potential buyers. So, make sure to trim any trees and bushes and discard any limbs lying around your yard.

Shape Up the Exterior

Along with basic landscaping, you want the rest of your exterior to look good. Start by pressure washing the siding and windows, and deep clean your porch and entryway. Consider throwing a bright coat of paint on the front door and putting out some seasonal potted plants. You can also add character with DIY decorations, such as chic pedestals and window box displays.

Declutter

This part of selling a home is important in all seasons. Go through the entire house and declutter. Purge your belongings and decide what to keep, give away, or throw away. Get rid of any unnecessary furniture, family photos, collectibles, or anything else that crowds the rooms and will make it harder for a buyer to envision themselves in your home.

Deep Clean

One great thing about decluttering is that it makes it easier for you to deep clean. Set yourself up a little station with all the necessary cleaning supplies (e.g., sprays, towels, brushes, mops, dusters), and make every nook and cranny in every room sparkle.

Schedule Maintenance

During the colder months, buyers will want to know that the heating in your home works properly. Schedule a checkup for your HVAC system and have the maintenance team leave an inspection sticker on the unit. Also, make sure all your windows and doors are adequately sealed, and look for any filters that need to be changed.

Show with the Sun

Since the days are shorter during the fall and winter months, it’s best to schedule your showings during the day when possible. That way, potential buyers will have a full view of the property as soon as they drive up. Also, be sure to keep the blinds and drapes drawn to let natural light shine through the interior of the home.

Add Lighting

Not everyone will be able to make daytime showings during the workweek, which is why Eveready suggests adding lighting to your property. Landscape lights can add appeal and safety to the driveway, walkways, front and backyards, deck, and so on. It’s always a good idea to put out some extra floor lamps inside the home — even if you only bring them out for showings.

The colder months can be a great time to sell your home. Just be sure to follow basic home-selling tips, and consider factors like the weather and shorter days when you make preparations. Don’t wait until the warmer months come — sell now!

Associate Broker Matthew Share at Maximum One Greater Atlanta Realtors comes with a unique combination of an undergraduate degree and work experience in marketing and sales and a Master’s degree and work experience in computer information systems. This ability to be both personable and understanding while at the same time analytical sets him apart from many other agents in the business. Contact him today for your next dream home! 678-520-3113

Content contributed by Andrea Needham of eldersday.org