Do you know the typical mistakes in selling winter homes?
Selling your home in winter presents a unique set of challenges. However, there are still buyers out there, which means there is a good chance you can sell your home for a great price.
But to do so, you must avoid the most common mistakes sellers make during the snow and cold temperatures season.
While the blunders below pertain to the winter season, sellers also make mistakes when selling a home in every other season. Be a well-informed homeowner and avoid these potential problems for a smoother sale.
Look at some of the best tips for selling a home in the winter. The advice found here will go a long way in helping you sell for top dollar in an expeditious time frame.
Remember, there is a mindset that buying a home in the winter is advantageous for those looking for a new place.
You must be at the top of your game to ensure that you sell your home for the money it deserves to command.
Avoid these winter home-selling mistakes, and you will be well on your way to accomplishing your goals.
Mistakes to Avoid As A Winter Home Seller
1. Going at it Alone Without an Agent
In most places, winter is the worst month for selling a house.
Choosing the route for sale by owner is always appealing because doing so conjures up an image that you will save money. Going for sale by the owner can be especially attractive during the winter because sellers wonder if there are any buyers out there in the first place.
But going it alone is rarely ideal, particularly in a more challenging selling season like winter. An agent can help you ensure that you do things right and improve your sales odds. They can also provide much-needed energy and emotional support.
Before going the “for sale by owner” route, you must analyze the pros and cons of selling without a real estate agent. While avoiding paying a real estate commission is enticing, achieving it is also tricky.
Please consider carefully before taking this route. If you are under pressure to sell your home, it may not be wise. Most owners think they will be saving 5-6 percent commission, but the result is often selling for much less than that expense.
With time on your side and a commitment to selling without an agent, be sure you understand the best methods of selling a home by owner. So many sellers go at it willy-nilly but stick a for-sale sign out on the front lawn, thinking that will do the trick.
2. Trying to Save on Your Utility Bill by Keeping The House Cold
Energy conservation is essential, and your commitment to saving money and the environment is commendable. But buyers need to be drawn in and seduced by your home, which requires a warm interior.
You want them to feel your home is warm and cozy, a haven in the coldest winters. That means turning up the thermostat and keeping things comfortable.
Another thing to consider about keeping your house warm for showings is that buyers may suspect something is wrong if your home is cold. The heating system might be about to crap the bed.
The home may not be adequately sealed, the insulation may be old and worn out, and the windows may be drafty.
Some people even go so far as to put plastic over their windows. Covering your windows is a mistake in and of itself. It screams, I have a problem! A home may be cold in the winter for many reasons, and few are good.
3. Failing to Clean Your Windows
Nobody likes cleaning all the windows in their home, particularly on the exterior (well, some people might, but there are not many). But as much of a pain as it may be to clean those windows, you need to do it if you show your home in the winter.
The leaves are gone from the trees, letting sunlight in and exposing every speck of dirt on your windows.
A clean home is much more likely to attract buyers, so break out the Windex or hire someone to do it for you. GoodHouse Keeping has some window cleaning advice that is worth a look at.
4. Not Clearing Your Walkways
Depending on where you live, winter weather may make your walkways treacherous and difficult to use. You want potential buyers to quickly get in, out, and around your home. If you’re selling a home in the winter, it means clearing the walkways and ensuring they are safe and easy to use.
Shovel the snow, throw out some ice melt where necessary, and keep up with the cleaning as the snow and ice accumulate. Making sure the walkways are clear is essential because it makes it easier to look at the house and makes it safer, which protects you legally.
Sometimes, I see sellers skipping cleaning the walkway to the front door and instead having buyers come through a secondary entrance. Doing so is a big mistake.
The best presentation on 95% of all homes is through the front door. This is especially true if you are selling a luxury home where there may be a dramatic entryway or staircase. Avoid this winter home selling mistake.
5. Trying to Hide Problems
Concealing problems in any season is never a good idea. Winter brings with it harsh weather that can certainly do damage and wreak havoc on a home.
One of the more common winter home problems owners have to deal with is ice dams.
While those icicles may look pretty hanging off your home, letting ice back up has some serious downsides. For this reason, all homeowners need to pay particular attention to this issue and understand ice dam prevention in the first place.
Home buyers’ biggest concern about ice dams is water penetration, and mold is also at the forefront of their fears.
The last thing you want is a buyer who loves your home but does not want to proceed because of an ice dam.
Painting a ceiling or wall with an issue to cover up a bigger problem is foolish. Deceiving a buyer could come back to haunt you.
Water issues also can occur when selling a home and not winterizing properly.
6. Not Keeping Up With Seasonal Maintenance
Winter can be harsh on homes, so it’s crucial to perform seasonal maintenance tasks to keep your property in top condition.
Ensure your furnace or HVAC system is cleaned and inspected, seal drafts from doors and windows, clear gutters, and trim trees. These tasks make your home more appealing and prevent potential issues during buyer inspections.
The home inspection will likely go more smoothly by staying on top of things.
6. Not Using Photos From a More Attractive Season for Your Listings
If snow is piling up, icicles are hanging, and the trees are bare, your spring pictures of your home could greatly help a buyer.
Seeing photos from another season is beneficial for buyers because it gives them a sense of things they would otherwise miss in the winter.
For example, you might have beautiful gardens or a stunning pool. A buyer will miss out on these unique features in the winter months.
Instead, you should ensure your real estate agent has a good balance of the photos. You want the images to be appropriate for your selling season. It is always great to have warm-weather photos!
If your home has not sold since the winter, your real estate agent should get new, seasonally appropriate-photos taken. Not changing photos promptly is a considerable selling mistake I see many agents making.
Spring has arrived, and there is snow in the photos – REALLY? This is a huge turn-off and, indeed, an awful presentation. Frankly, an agent with snow in their photos come springtime deserves to be fired!
I also recommend having professional photography. All my client’s homes have images done by a pro.
High-quality photos are vital, especially in winter when natural light is limited. Hiring a professional photographer can significantly affect how your home is presented online.
Ensure the images are well-lit and showcase your home’s best features. Consider including a mix of current winter photos and some from more attractive seasons to give buyers a comprehensive view of your property.
7. Failing to Spruce up Your Home with Color and Scent
Summer and spring bring their appeal, but when it comes to winter, sometimes you need to add something to make your home seem more welcoming. With all the color gone outside, you must find ways to brighten your home and make it more inviting.
You can use seasonal decorations, pops of color in different areas, and scents – such as candles or potpourri – to make your home comfortable and welcoming. Make sure to decorate before your agent gets more pictures of the house so that the listing photos put your best foot forward. Don’t, however, keep your decorations up beyond the season.
For example, you shouldn’t have Christmas decor up in January!
Additionally, you can use these winter curb appeal tips from numerous real estate agents nationwide. This resource has some great advice on selling winter homes!
8. Being Too Busy to Show the Home
The holidays are busy for people, even homeowners trying to sell their homes. However, don’t get caught up in the festivities and give in to the desire to deny potential buyers the opportunity to see your home. Stop for a moment and reconsider. Just having your home on the market puts you under considerable stress.
A lot is on the line, and you naturally want to sell your home for the best price possible.
Every time you deny a showing, you are lessening the chance to achieve your overall goal.
Every buyer who does not get to see your home is a missed opportunity. I remember pretty vividly last year, while selling a home in Westborough, Massachusetts, the seller did not let a buyer see the home because it wasn’t convenient. The buyer was transferred into the area and in for the weekend to buy a home.
The buyer ended up purchasing a very similar home. This is one of those cases of “you never know.” Every missed showing is a lost opportunity for a sale.
The time it takes to sell a house will be longer when you don’t accommodate the buyer.
9. Letting the Cold Weather and Short Days Get You Down
Winter can be challenging even when you are not trying to sell your home. However, it can be more challenging for home sellers to avoid getting down in the dumps.
You may be tempted to think that nobody would buy your home in winter and that making all the effort to sell it is a waste of time.
But it’s not. Seriously. Many people buy homes in the winter, and there is a good chance you will find the buyer you are looking for and be able to sell your home for the price you and your Realtor agreed upon. Stay active, try to think positively, and keep pushing.
10. Pricing The Home Wrong
The number one winter home selling mistake is the wrong list price. A home does not sell in any season because of an incorrect price!
Winter home sales are harder to come by, so it is even more critical to price your home correctly from day one. Pricing a home is an art and skill.
Look for a local real estate agent skilled at evaluating market value. Avoid the agent that tells you what you want to hear at all costs. You will be stuck with a less-than-desirable agent who will likely not get the job done.
From thirty-eight years of experience selling a home, overpricing is the number one problem.
Final Thoughts
Selling a house in the winter is usually a bit more challenging, but you’ll put yourself in a much better position to succeed by following the advice. Hopefully, you can avoid some of the most common winter home-selling mistakes.
Additional Helpful Home Buying Content Worth a Look
- Eight great tips in the winter for homeowners – get some additional home-selling tips when you have a winter home sale.
- House selling tips for every season – see home selling advice for every season in this informative article at Maximum Real Estate Exposure.
Use these additional winter home sale resources to make better decisions when your home is on the market.
About the Author: Bill Gassett, a nationally recognized leader in his field, provided the above real estate information on mistakes in selling a house in the winter. Bill has expertise in mortgages, financing, moving, home improvement, and general real estate.
Learn more about Bill Gassett and the publications in which he has been featured. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. For the past 38+ years, Bill has helped people move in and out of Metrowest towns.
Are you thinking of selling your home? I am passionate about real estate and love sharing my marketing expertise!
I service Real Estate Sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton, and Uxbridge Massachusetts.
