Last week was a reminder of how quickly winter weather can change, but for home sellers, the focus remains the same: making a property feel warm, safe and inviting, regardless of the forecast.
The months of December through February typically see less robust real estate activity in many areas, largely due to the holidays and colder weather, according to the National Association of Realtors. That seasonal slowdown can make winter feel like a difficult time to sell a home.
Still, sellers who list during the winter months can take advantage of several built-in benefits. Winter buyers tend to be highly motivated, often driven by work relocations, expanding families or other pressing needs. With fewer homes on the market, sellers also face less competition, which can strengthen their position during negotiations.
Whether you’re listing now or preparing for next winter, the National Association of Realtors offers straightforward guidance on how to keep a home appealing in colder months. Below are key tips to help showings go smoothly, whatever the weather brings.
Focus on curb appeal
Clean up fallen leaves and dead branches. Make the front door inviting with planted topiaries, a festive door wreath and a fresh welcome mat.
Safeguard the exterior
If you’re in an area with ice and snow, clear the driveway and walking paths. Spread rock salt or sand to prevent slips and falls.
Spruce up the interior
Declutter and clean all the rooms. Then add warmth with fuzzy throw pillows and blankets. If you have a fireplace, fire it up for open houses – but never when the home is unattended for any period. Set your dining table as if you’re hosting a holiday get-together.
Add potted indoor plants
Flowering plants or an indoor herb garden can add additional warmth and liven up the interior of your home.
Light it up
Clean windows to allow more natural light to shine through. Replace burned out lightbulbs, add standing lamps to darker spaces and turn on all the lights for showings to ensure the home is bright and cheerful.
Warm it up
Keep the temperature at a comfortable level for showings. Turning down the thermostat will make your home feel cold and uninviting.
Accommodate showing requests
Allowing showings during the holiday season can be difficult, but the answer to showing requests should almost always be yes. Don’t miss out on showing your beautiful home to motivated buyers.
Pay attention to the senses
Buyers might be sensitive to strong perfumes and scented candles. Opt first for a “clean” smell and then consider adding a touch of vanilla, citrus or cinnamon.
These adjustments can yield a quicker sale with a greater net during winter months.
Thoughtful preparation turns a winter listing into a calm, confident experience for everyone who walks through the door. If conditions become severe, showings can be adjusted. For a plan tailored to your home, timing and neighborhood, connect with a local Realtor who knows the Chattanooga market.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors is The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with nearly 3,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,200 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors services Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net or call 423 698-8001.