SELLING YOUR HOME DURING WINTER

By Corrado Cusma, Managing Director, OrangeTee Real Estate

While the summer months are traditionally the peak selling times for homes in Western Australia, homeowners should not overlook listing their home for sale during the winter months.

Selling your home during the winter months has a number of advantages. There tends to be less competition from other homeowners who generally wait until Spring to sell their property. Also, the potential buyers who are active in the housing market tend to be more committed and focused on purchasing a new home.

However, if you are considering selling your home during the winter months there are a number of key issues you have to consider enhancing the attraction of your home to home buyers.

Light:

It is proven that people react more favorably to property shown under bright light than dark. Because there is less light during the winter months, you have to work harder to maximize the light entering your home. The following steps should help you keep your home as bright as possible.

  • Have home opens around lunch time or early afternoon when sunlight is at its peak
  • Keep windows clean.
  • Use adequate wattage in light bulbs
  • Consider replacing older fluorescent lamps, which darken with use.
  • Use mirrors to magnify the feeling of light and space.
  • Use light wall colors.
  • Open drapes and blinds and turn on lights prior to showings.

Heating:

Your home should be warm and inviting. If you have heating in your home make sure that it is working during home opens and the air temperature in the home is at a comfortable level.

  • If you have natural fires, considering operating them during the home open to give your home added atmosphere.
  • Alternatively, if you have ducted air conditioning, then ensure that your real estate agent draws attention to this feature during the home opening. This is a feature that is very popular with families.

It is also worth investing in internal flower arrangements to enhance the atmosphere of the home during the winter months.

Street Appeal:

Make sure your gardens are well presented during the winter months because the street appeal of the property is generally a big selling point for a home. It is a good investment to fertilize your lawns regularly to keep them green and strategically placing plants in the garden which bloom during the winter months such as Australian native plants.