You may think winter may not be the best time to sell your home. But the buyers are out there. If you need to sell your home, here are some ways to keep your home looking presentable for potential buyers. #winterhomesale #northernvirginiawinter #virginiaisforlovers #homesaleinwinter
1. Keep your exterior clean
The path to the front door or an entrance should be cleared and welcomed. Sweep off the leaves or shovel the snow and clear the path. In the back of the house, if there are any patio furniture, if not covered, it should be dusted off and presentable. Walk up from the basement has a drain. The area should be cleared which shows good maintenance.
2. Warm up your home
It is COLD. Warm up your home and welcome potential buyers. Keep it at a comfortable level. If the listing agent is showing, fireplace can be started up with a damper open. Be sure to keep the screen in front. Also, you can use some battery run candles to bundle together in the livingroom to add to the cozy mood. Leave out neutral textured blankets out on sofas to bring out the warmth of the home. Add additional texture by adding wooden baskets or weaved baskets for additional throws.
3. Bright is in
It gets dark in the winters. Best to set showing times during the daylight hours. Either take the curtains down or keep the sheers up to let light in. Replace light bulbs with the highest allowed bright light bulb to keep the home bright in the early evenings. If you can afford to, replace the single light to recessed lighting. To brighten up the interior, add some sparkle with accessories. Gold accents to warm it up. For exterior, use a timer to keep the light on around the house.
4. Winter scent
To continue with the theme of winter, add a LIGHT scent around the house to play on all senses. According to Chaz on Cosmopolitan, during winter you should look for " rich and musky, sweet, and fresh undertones — think moss, juniper, incense, patchouli, amber, fig, vanilla, fresh dew, cassis, rose, bergamot, lemon, vetiver, etc.—the kind of notes that give you that warm feeling of comfort that's much needed during dark, winter days".
The key is to help your potential buyers to imagine themselves get cozy in your home. There you have it! Let us be your expert go to person for the real estate leads for your winter listings!
Yon Chung, CPA, Realtor is a real estate agent based in McLean, Virginia (Capital Area Homes | Keller Williams Realty). She personally invests in real estate around Northern Virginia and out of state. Yon Chung serves sellers and buyers of primary homes and investment properties in Fairfax County.