Are you a homeowner who’s thinking about selling, yet you may feel you missed the prime selling season and may have to put off listing your home until the Spring? Don’t despair, there are many good reasons to go ahead and list your property now, you just need to have a strategic plan, so it doesn’t sit on the market all Winter. According to the National Association of Realtors, Existing home sales have increased from November to December an average of 4.5% in the past three winters. This means that although there will be less inventory available, buyers are still out there buying at a steady pace. That’s great news for homeowners wishing to sell during the colder months. The key to attracting buyers during this time of year is to be prepared and have an established strategic plan to prepare your home for sale.
Traditional home buying and selling seasons have evolved as a result of instant internet access to property listings. While spring is still the hottest home-buying season, serious home buyers are always on the lookout, checking out the latest listings almost daily. Today’s homebuyers do most of their searching on the internet which, to your advantage, has no selling season. Plus, this is where homebuyers will start looking especially when the weather isn’t so great outside. This means your online listing and photos are especially important.
Here are some things you can do to help expedite your first impression via web or site visit,
1. Clean up all the leaves and mow the lawn. Although there may be snow on the ground by the time your listing hits the market, it will get more attention if there isn’t a 4-foot pile of snow in front of it. If it’s still Fall, do some tasteful autumn decorating outside to increase your curb appeal.
2. Make sure you are working with an experienced top-notch Realtor to help guide you through the process of making your home attractive during every season.
Are you concerned the buyers will “dry up” during the cold months? Here’s the reality and it’s in your favor, there is less inventory to choose 
from which will make your property far more attractive than waiting until spring. The numbers of buyers still searching for the “right” property will face the cold weather for showings/sight visits. Historically these buyers are more serious than the tire kicker you’ll get in the Spring.
Take advantage of the season, when it’s cold outside you can give your home’s interior that warm, lived-in feeling by using your fireplace during showings or have some nice scented autumn or pine candles burning. Nothing says welcome home quite like walking out of the cold into a nice, warm house that’s dressed up for the holidays. It’s easier to make a house feel like home in the wintertime. Here are a few tips to help you set the buying mood.
· Keep it simple. Decorations should accent—not overpower—a room. Less is more. You don’t want your Christmas tree to take up half the living room.
· Crank up the cozy. Light a fire in the hearth, play soft holiday music in the background, and prepare fresh-baked goods or mulled cider for guests.
· Shine a light outside. Winter days get dark early. Brighten your home’s exterior with outdoor spotlights. A few holiday lights are okay.
Remember . . . the nicer your home presents itself, the more likely it is to sell—and for more money.
