Tips to Fetch Top Dollar with Your Winter Listing

As we settle into another charming Shuswap winter season, the real estate market continues to have an excess of qualified buyers looking for their dream home. If you’ve been keeping a pulse on the seller’s real estate market and are feeling ready to list your home this winter, you can maximize your listing success with these tips;

SET THE SCENE 

Day Light Savings early darkness can put a damper on even the most positive of spaces; create a light and welcoming space with efficient, bright LED bulbs or a new statement light fixture; budget permitting. Don’t forget to compliment your well-lit space with a cozy thermostat setting keeping potential buyers comfortable while viewing. Overbearing scents can also alter a buyer’s experience, be considerate of potential allergies and triggers such as strongly perfumed candles, animal scents, garbage bins or the smell of lingering dinner ingredients.

GET ORGANIZED

With the recent rise in new methods of organization and decluttering, we’re able to pull inspiration and techniques to polish our property to new levels. When listing your home in the winter months, it’s important to minimize untidiness in the space, as clutter creates the effect that the space is smaller or less functional. Tidy storage spaces, streamline pantries and closets and remove unused household items from sight; this is a perfect time to donate to your favourite local non-profit organization the items you’re ready to part with.

CURB APPEAL

Don’t rely on a hefty snowfall to add a needed winter charm to your property. Ensure you’ve stored summer furniture away and minimize exterior clutter around your property. In addition to cosmetic appeal, decluttering your exterior will ensure potential buyers have a safe and direct route to the entrance that offers a warm welcome. Shovelling the driveway, walk-ways and decks prior to a showing are all additional safety steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

SHOWCASE ENTERTAINING CAPABILITIES 

Winter is the most wonderful time for festive parties and open-house style events. Entice prospective buyers with decorative holiday centrepieces, tastefully decorated spaces or even a display of freshly baked goods on the countertop. There is nothing more inspiring as a homebuyer than envisioning yourself in the space; take advantage of your homes unique features by playing quiet tunes over the wireless sound system, lighting the fireplace or staging a usable outdoor winter space.

By taking the tips above and hiring a professional and trusted REALTOR® you’ll ensure your winter listing is a successful experience. Don’t be fooled by the myth that real estate transactions don’t take place in the winter months; some would even argue it’s the prime time for selling with reduced competition in the market. It’s my pleasure to deliver professional and quality services to you; for more information pertaining to your unique buying and selling needs I’d be thrilled to have a complimentary discovery call 250-832-7051.