Selling your Long Island home during the winter months is a tough proposition. LI winters are notoriously harsh, with snow and ice making it difficult to navigate her roadways. With leaf-less trees and barren landscapes, the curb appeal of even the most beautiful houses seem lacking, compared to the spring when nature’s bounty elevates the outside appearance.
Although it may seem more difficult to sell your home in the winter, it is far from impossible. In fact, winter listings are more likely to sell and stay on the market less than homes listed in the spring.
Why?
Homes in the winter are typically priced to sell. Instead of starting out with inflated sales prices that will have to be negotiated down, winter listings come with a more realistic price tag and sellers who have a more realistic view of the market. If a seller puts his or her home on the market in winter, instead of waiting until spring, it’s a good sign that he or she is motivated to sell.
Homes for sale in the winter also face far less competition. While the spring market is flooded with homes for sale, the winter months are far less populated. Buyers looking in the winter will have less to choose from and if they have the vision to see how it could look when Mother Nature wakes up in the spring, they will expedite the purchase. And if they are looking in the wintertime, chances are they are serious buyers who need to move, possibly due to a new baby on the way or job relocation, and are willing to pay top dollar for your home.
Here are 5 tips for selling your Long Island home this winter:
- 1. Light it up! If you have a fireplace, start a warm, cackling fire to produce priceless ambiance and warmth in your home during open houses.
- 2. Nose Power! The sense of smell is the strongest in the human body. Harness it by baking fresh bread or cinnamon buns to fill the house with delicious aroma. Or heat spiced cider on the stove to elicit a cozy atmosphere that will fill buyers with a sense of home.
- 3. Don’t forget about the outside! Prepare your porch and backyard with cozy touches that shew how they can be used year-round. Folded throws over outdoor furniture, a crackling fire pit, and lit hurricane candles go a long way to showcasing your home’s appeal.
- 4. Practical tip: Clear all walkways and driveways of snow and ice. Show how safe and functional your home is during bad weather.
- 5. Make sure your entryway is uncluttered. Homes in winter often get clogged by the front door with heavy winter coats and boots. Organize the coat closet and out away any winter paraphernalia so that the first impression is a positive impression.
