Although studies show that April through June are the most prolific months for selling properties in many areas of the country, life doesn’t always cooperate. When you have to sell a home in the fall or winter, you can use the following tips to help quickly turn an open listing into a closed one.

Adjust Your Thermostat
Keep the home temperature comfortable for house hunters. The good news is that you usually don’t have to blast the air conditioning when listing in the fall or winter. Buyers want to know that their new home can keep them cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. Replace air filters before listing the home, and make sure to have a well-maintained HVAC system. If you have a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and inspected beforehand.

Enhance Seasonal Curb Appeal
People love the growing season, but yards can turn bare or boring in fall and winter. That’s why it’s important to maintain curb appeal even when days get shorter. Remove fading flora and keep the yard clean and maintained. Make sure that you play up any outside entertaining areas by adding suitable outdoor furniture. If you have fantastic pictures of what your home looks like in the spring or summer, add them to the online portfolio.

Add Tasteful Holiday or Seasonal Elements
When you list a home, it should lack personalization. However, you do want to create a homey atmosphere. Set the scene with tasteful seasonal décor and add pleasant smells. Options for the latter include cinnamon, pine needle, peppermint, and pumpkin spice.

Price Your Home to Sell
Although there are usually fewer people looking to buy a home over the holidays and in the winter, these buyers tend to be more serious. People who are serious about buying a home are looking for a well-priced house that’s in line with market value. So, it’s important to set the correct price from the start. Work with your real estate agent to price your home close to the sales value of similar properties in the area.

Although the spring market seems favored by many, you can successfully list and sell your home in the fall and winter months. When you choose to go this route, your home should stand out to draw more house hunters. Please contact me for more tips on how to successfully list and sell your home over the fall and winter seasons.