Top 4 Reasons to Sell Your Lake Norman Area Home This Winter

 

As temperatures start declining, and holiday planning is in the air, it is a common assumption that winter is not a great time to sell a home. But the truth is, there are several overlooked benefits and advantages to selling a house after the summer surge of real estate activity.

 

Are you thinking of selling your home but not sure when the right time maybe? Here are some of the top reasons to consider a move this winter.

 

One big pro is the type of buyers often looking at houses during this time of year. While more people look at houses for sale in the Lake Norman area when the weather is warm, many are only casually thinking about the possibility and checking out what is on the market. In contrast, buyers looking for a house in the winter months can be ready to make an offer and eager to close the sale so they can move in and be settled early in the new year, if not before.

 

There will likely be fewer properties listed in these colder months compared to the more popular seasons for buyers to view properties. Fewer houses for buyers to look at and compare give your home a higher chance of standing out and getting noticed.

 

The process of buying a home could be in some cases fast-tracked when fewer buyers are making loan inquiries, getting inspections, etc. Mortgage lenders, home inspectors, and appraisers can, a lot of times provide prompter services while their desks are a little lighter during this time of year.

 

Perhaps the best thing about selling a home in the winter months is that it is easy to show off a home’s potential for being a cozy, warm, and inviting environment and a home they can see themselves and their family in. Open Houses can appeal to seasonal sensations that make people feel at home, such as the scent of cinnamon rolls baking, Christmas cookies, holiday colors, and all that fun stuff. Throw blankets, candles and a fire burning in the fireplace can all provide a setting that potential buyers will easily imagine themselves enjoying. Holiday decorations and how the home is staged over this season can be a very enticing element for excited buyers.

 

Along with the advantages of selling your house in the winter, there are also some specific things you can do to help ensure it gets the attention it deserves and the process moves along the path as quickly as possible.

 

First impressions are important. When you first see your house, does it look its best? Attending to the front yard, walkway, porch, deck, backyard, and general exterior with as much care as you put into interior staging will enhance perceived value. As we all know… sometimes there is snow.. and sometimes there is not. Make sure that you take care of the exterior conditions that present themselves.

 

You also have the opportunity to add a little color to enhance those first impressions as buyers walk the path to the front door. Making use of window flowerbeds and or porch containers with the right setup and decor’ can make a big difference. Of course, again with the holidays, it is a great time for that little extra bit of imagination as your home can look very appealing surrounded by the seasonal glow of those twinkling lights.

 

Just make sure that aside from perhaps some reindeer in the yard you tend to some of the exposed plant growth as well as in most cases, we all tune it out until the spring. Some of the important tasks that should be looked at include trimming shrubs, deadheading flowers, raking leaves, weeding, sweeping the porch/deck, and cleaning the gutters. If you have a private beach, consider hiring a landscaper that can highlight both the appearance and function of the waterfront property, if it isn’t in top shape already. Try highlighting the feature areas with your staging strategy.

 

A common issue that comes up during inspections is the heating and air conditioning system. You can streamline inspections by getting your HVAC system cleaned and checked thoroughly for any potential problems before you start showing the house. This can avoid ill-timed furnace repairs (think cold Open House!) and make the inspection process easier and less stressful for both parties.

 

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney inspected and cleaned. You want to assure buyers the house is ready to move in and enjoy immediately. And, of course, you, again, will want to show off that lovely fireplace keeping everyone thing warm and cozy during Open Houses.

 

A well-positioned house can attract serious interest during a time when there are fewer houses on the market when there is that special aura of the season, and with a properly planned staging strategy. If you are interested in listing your home, contact LKNHomes, your leader in residential and commercial property real estate in and around the Lake Norman and Charlotte, North Carolina area.