Traditionally, winter can be a difficult time to sell your home. From bad weather discouraging people from going out to view houses, to the gloomy winter atmosphere making prospective homes look less appealing, lots of factors can put potential buyers off.
Government data shows that the six colder months of 2018/19 (October to March) saw an average of around 10,000 fewer monthly UK house sales than the following six warmer months (April to September 2019).To combat this seasonal slump, regulated property buyer Good Move has put together some useful tips to help make sure demand for your property stays hot, even during the colder months.
Get rid of discouraging DIY tasks
From shaky windows to drilled holes left in walls, spend time fixing the little DIY jobs in your house. They might just feel like tiny inconveniences while living there, but to potential buyers, these represent yet another job to do after the ordeal of moving house. Quickly touch up any paintwork, such as skirting boards or the front door, to make your home as attractive as possible.
Be sparing with scents
It makes sense to fill your house with pleasant smells to entice buyers, but remember that not everyone likes the same fragrances. Try and avoid strong-smelling air fresheners and candles as they can put buyers off, and opt for neutral scents, like fresh cotton, instead.
Baking sweet treats like cookies, or perhaps mince pies if it’s around Christmas, leaves a homely smell that will give viewers positive thoughts towards your house, and leaving pastries out on the side for people to help themselves will help viewers feel welcome.
Keep it cosy
There is perhaps nothing more inviting than a nice warm home, so make sure you are offering that welcoming experience to everyone viewing your house. They have likely had to navigate an unfamiliar neighbourhood to get there, so make sure your home is warm and cosy (but not too hot!). Even little details like warm lighting or knitted throws on the sofa can help people imagine themselves feeling cosy and at home in your house.
Let in some light
As the days get shorter, even an early afternoon viewing can feel gloomy in the winter months. Lighting up the house will help to combat this. Keep all the curtains and blinds open (unless the view outside is particularly unsightly) to let in as much natural light as possible, and turn on as many lights in the house as necessary. A well-lit room feels bigger and more inviting, and makes people more likely to associate positive feelings with the house.
Keep the garden tidy
Many people tend to neglect the garden during winter as it’s colder and people spend less time outside. But for house viewers, the garden is often a big part of their decision process. Ensure your outdoor space is tidy and well-kept to help buyers see its potential for the warmer months. Additionally, during snowy weather, make sure your path and driveway are free from snow and ice. Slipping over on the way to the front door isn’t going to leave a favourable first impression with potential buyers!
Keep pets away
As much loved as they may be, pets can put off prospective buyers. Some people viewing the house may have allergies, while the lingering smell of pets, especially a wet dog smell, can be a turn-off for buyers who aren’t animal lovers. Where possible, keep your pets elsewhere during viewings and make sure to vacuum well to get rid of stray hairs that can trigger viewers’ allergies.
Ross Counsel, Director at Good Move, says, “Winter can be a really difficult time to make a sale, with the gloomy weather, people’s reluctance to move house during the colder, shorter days, and even buyers and estate agents taking time off for Christmas. Often, things can pick up in the new year as more people are looking for a new start, but if you’re still struggling, hopefully these tips will go a long way.
“Alternatively, you can try using a quick house sale company like Good Move, which will complete your sale within three weeks with no chains involved.”
If your house has been on the market for a long time, it’s worth considering alternative ways of selling. For information on how you can sell your house quickly for cash, visit the Good Move website.
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Daniel Peacock