As winter looms ever closer, many face a difficult decision about selling their home. In years gone by, before property videos and online marketing dominated our lives, selling in the winter was an absolute last resort!
Nowadays, buyers, or shall we say ‘serious buyers’ will not think twice about going online and viewing as many property videos as is relevant to the search for their perfect home be that in the summer or winter. Granted whilst spring, summer and autumn remain the most popular time of year to promote the sale of your home, here are some top tips for those looking to sell over the winter months.
CREATE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
Everyone knows that you cannot re-create a first impression and so it really does count. Ensure when your estate agent visits your home to take photos and/or video your property that the outside is looking every bit as good as the inside. Kerb appeal is vital, especially in the winter months when your property and garden are not blessed with the summer sun.
Replace frost bitten plants with winter safe, colourful, fresh plants such as pansies, violas and primrose bedding plants. A burst of colour in your garden can make all the difference to a drab rainy day!
Ensure gates are well oiled and will not squeak upon opening and are able to shut properly without force.
Clean your driveway and paths by removing any slippery moss patches and wet leaves.
Check garden and security lights are in good working order, and position in such a way that they will not ‘dazzle’ viewers as they approach your front door.
Hire someone to clean the gutters and paint the outside of the house if it is looking somewhat neglected.
HAVE A WELCOMING ENTRANCE
If buyers have made the effort to travel in poor weather conditions, you should make the effort to welcome them, in whatever way is possible.
Place a new and clean door mat at the front door for viewers to clean their sodden boots on before entering your pristine home.
Do you have somewhere suitable to hang coats or place wet umbrellas? Not every viewer will want to part with their cosy coats but you should still offer the assistance.
COFFEE ANYONE?
Keep your property warm and have a fresh pot of coffee brewing to create a subtle aroma. Puff up the cushions on the couch and have a roaring fire welcoming your viewers into the living-room.
NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
Whenever possible keep curtains and blinds open to let in as much natural day light as possible. If your viewings are during the evening and it is blowing a gale outside, close them over. Either way combine the natural light with your own lights to create a bright and airy feel to each room. No one is going to want to spend long in a property that is dull, dark and dismal.
CAREFUL ON THE CRIMBO DECOR!
If you are selling during the Christmas period, beware! Whilst you and your family may love nothing more than to watch Rudolf and Co. disco dance to a merry tune, have tinsel hanging from every lamp, door, wall and unit, Christmas decorations can be regarded as tacky by some so don’t over do it with the Crimbo decor! Clutter is not clean, the look you should be aiming for here is clean not clutter!
REARRANGE THE FURNITURE
This is an especially good point if you are planing on running an Open House viewing schedule, the more space people have to walk around, the better. Children's toys, dog or cat beds can all be put elsewhere in time for your viewings. Large items of furniture should always be placed in such a way as not to detract from the size of the room. If your buyer has to step over things, or squeeze by furniture to access another room they are not very likely to focus on your property and more likely to focus on the hazard that is in their way.
ENJOY
As much as arranging viewings can be time consuming and demanding remember this is the stepping stone to your new home. If you do not think you can put on a happy face and walk around with each viewer smiling and chatting then arrange for your estate agent to conduct the viewings. There is nothing more off putting than viewing a property with a moody/tired/shy/nervous/boring vendor. Be honest with yourself and make the decision wisely, any reputable estate agent will be more than happy to accommodate.
RELAX
Once your viewings are over, that pot of freshly made coffee is all yours! Put your feet up and relax with the knowledge that you have done a good job and your home was presented in the best way possible.
For further information on ordering a property video to promote the sale of your home visit the ‘My Orders’ page from our website: www.clearvisionmedia.co.uk
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Good luck with the sale of your home!http://bit.ly/1GG9tzD
