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5 things to do if you are trying to sell a property over winter

24th October 2024

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Selling your home in winter can feel daunting. The dark, damp, chilly weather is particularly uninspiring, and the prospect of making a home feel appealing can be overwhelming. However, there are great benefits to selling your home in winter. There is often less competition, so your house has a good chance to stand out, and buyers are usually highly motivated rather than just browsing.

To get your property market-ready in the colder months, we have put together five simple tasks to make your sale a success. Here are our top tips for selling your home in the winter.

1.      Avoid leaks

Whether you are selling or not, preventing leaks should be at the top of your home maintenance list. In winter, the water in pipes can freeze and expand, causing cracks. When the water thaws it gushes out the burst pipes and causes huge damage.

  • If your property is vacant, consider draining the pipes so there is no water to freeze in the first place.
  • Disconnect hoses and insulate outdoor taps.
  • Insulate water pipes in unheated areas e.g. the loft.
  • Keep the house warm.

2.      General maintenance

There are a few external tasks that are important for every homeowner in the winter months:

  • Clear the gutters, preventing ice dams, leaks and damage.
  • Inspect the roof, replacing missing tiles.
  • Remove dead branches from trees.
  • Sweep up leaves and debris.
  • Clean pathways to stop them becoming slippery.
  • Make the property as tidy as possible.

3.      Cosy welcome

Keep the property warm. Not only will this keep damp at bay, which is very important to prospective buyers, but it will make viewings much more comfortable. Nobody wants to live in a cold house and those viewing will struggle to imagine moving in if they are met with a frosty reception. They are also likely to linger longer if they are physically comfortable, giving them the opportunity to view all the great features of your home.

4.      Clean and fresh

We all think of deep cleaning as a spring task but having a freshen-up in the colder months can work wonders, especially if you are selling house in winter. Carrying out a deep clean, taking care of small maintenance jobs, clearing out clutter and de-personalising as much as possible will make the property much more inviting to prospective buyers.

5.      Welcome light

Winter can feel dark and dreary, so do what you can to make your space bright and welcoming. Clean windows and clear windowsills; open curtains right up for viewings; move furniture so it does not block windows; and add lamps, fairy lights, mirrors, etc, to maximise light.

You could also add some pot plants (real or fake) to give a sense of freshness in the depths of winter.

Get in touch

If you are planning a move in the winter months, we are here to help. The friendly Charters team have years of experience helping clients sell their properties all year round and are ready to answer all your questions. Please get in touch to find out more.

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