For many of us winter brings thoughts of warm fires, a thick layer of snow and lazy days in wrapped in a duvet. But if your home is on the market this winter how do you cope with the reality of pouring rain and chilly winds.
Here are 4 tips to help you win viewers’ hearts this winter regardless of the weather outside.
Easy access
If it is snowing, raining or icy on the day of a viewing then a buyer can easily be put off straight away. Make sure that you have salted, or taken a spade, to tricky walkways to clear any snow and ice and present a tidy look.
The first impression
This is sage advice regardless of when you are selling your home. But dark and gloomy winter days can make properties look drab and gardens are not looking their best. Pack away garden furniture where possible and give anything outside (including any paths and patios) a good scrub or a power wash to keep everything free of slippery moss. Raking up fallen leaves to keep lawns looking loved and ensuring drainpipes and drains are well maintained is also crucial. To add some kerb appeal, perk up your outside space with a planter of seasonal flowers such as snowdrops, cyclamen and crocus.
Get the heating on
Ensuring that your home is well heated is imperative during winter house viewings. Think about when the buyer is scheduled round and give your house time to warm up by putting the radiators on an hour or two ahead. If you happen to have a real fire, keep it lit! Heating is a key marker in a winter viewing so take steps to make every room a comfortable temperature. If you happen to have a real fire, keep it lit!
Check the lighting
With the skies darker outside, viewers will have less opportunity to see your home at its lightest and brightest. Leave the curtains open, even once your viewer has arrived to take advantage of as much natural light as possible. We also recommend opting for soft, lampshade mood lighting over the full beam of spotlighting. With many viewings taking place after 5pm in the week, it will already be dark outside so viewers will be keen to see how outside lights work. Find ways to use them to your advantage.
At Watsons, our team are always ready to help share our expert tips and advice on how you can help your home stand out and shine this winter.
