Selling your home can be an exhausting process, but knowing when and how to sell will help ease the process!. Choosing the right season to sell is an important factor that can be easily overlooked when putting your home on the market.
Taking the right actions to ensure your home matches the season, at least to a certain level, should make it much easier to sell. There are several things you can do to make your house more appealing to seasonal buyers and these can have a big impact on the selling process.
I’ve been operating in the Nanaimo real estate market for over 10 years and I have managed Nanaimo real estate listings in all 4 seasons for all these years. This has given me a fantastic insight into the simple things that you can do to get your home ready to sell. Here are some of my best-kept secrets.
Selling In The Spring
Let’s start with one of the most popular times to sell your home, which is in the spring. As the weather warms up so does the real estate market. I’ve seen this with the spring often being a busy time with homes for sale in Nanaimo.
You’ll want to match your home to the general thoughts of the spring season which is light, bright and clean. The long, cold and dark winter months are behind you so you’ll want to make sure your home attracts prospective buyers by being bright and welcoming.
Sell The Outside
The best thing you can do is to spruce up your outside spaces. Your garden always looks its best in spring, so make the most of it. Ensure your garden is in top shape and mow your grass regularly.
You can spruce up the garden by adding a few extra potted plans, buying some patio furniture (or repainting older furniture), cleaning the driveway, and making sure the exterior painting is in good shape.
Keep Fresh Scents Inside
Throw the windows open and let all of the natural scents of spring into your home, especially if you have recently mowed the lawn. If the weather doesn’t permit this then you can add flowers or light-scented candles throughout your home to fit the season.
Spring Clean
The winter months can often be full of muddy and dirty boots getting traipsed through your home. Plus it is likely you will have spent much more time indoors in the preceding months which can lead to more stains and smells in the carpet.
This is the perfect opportunity to give your house a deep clean from top to bottom.Plus, it gives you the added benefit of the clean and fresh smell you are looking for. You can also hire a professional to do it for you.
Selling In The Summer
Summer can often be seen as a tough time to sell, especially to families. Parents have to look after their kids during the school holidays, lots of people are away on vacation and others would rather lie in the sun than go and view houses.
You can still have great success selling in the summer and you are likely to encounter less competition during these months. Use the tips below to increase the appeal of your home.
Let Some Light In
Take advantage of the extra natural light on offer during the long summer nights. Replace dark curtains with much lighter fabrics, tie back existing curtains and open your blinds and shutters fully to let all that wonderful natural light in.
Air Out The Property
While the heat of the summer is generally a good thing, you will want to make sure you let air flow through the property to keep it cool and feeling nice and summery. Keep windows open on opposite sides of your home to allow air to easily flow through.
Airflow is particularly important in rooms that tend to get a lot of sunlight throughout the day. Warm homes are good but you don’t want the heat to become stifling. Try to avoid cooking anything too smelly before any viewings as this will overpower the lovely fresh summer smells that will naturally occur.
Increase Curb Appeal
Similar to the spring season, the summer months will show off the exterior of your house at its best. The garden should be in top shape and your house will always look better with blue skies in the background. This can be an ideal time to have photos taken of your house even if the sale runs into the fall season.
Selling In The Fall
Along with the spring, fall is considered the best time of year to sell your home. Buyers want to be in their new home by Christmas and it is a great time for you to put your house on the market.
Even though fall is an ideal time of year to sell your home, you will still want to follow these actionable tips to maximize the appeal of your home.
Keep Your Garden Clean
This is definitely a theme in this guide but the garden is the first thing people see when they arrive at your home. In the spring and summer, it is about making sure the grass is cut and you have fresh, blooming flowers on show.
In fall, the most important thing is to keep your garden tidy. This can be as simple as raking up the leaves in your garden to help you stand out from the competition. You’ll also want to make sure your gutters and drainage areas are clear of leaves so there are no blockages that can easily put a buyer off.
Get The Lighting Right
If possible, try and show your home in the daytime as everything looks better with natural light. Keep curtains and blinds open wherever possible to let as much natural light into your home as you can.
If you have to show it in the evenings ensure that you have your home well lit so it looks welcoming, even when it is dark outside. Adding in some extra table lamps in areas like the living room and bedrooms can make a big difference. In the kitchen, bathrooms, and hallways you can put new daylight bulbs to brighten up the space with minimal effort.
Add A Touch Of Fall Colour
Smple accents of fall colours throughout your house are relatively cheap and easy ways to have your home match the season. Use deep reds, greens, and browns on accessories like pillows, cushions and blankets.
These seasonal colours can really make your home feel more inviting and cozy.
Selling In The Winter
Winter can often be a quiet time in the real estate market, although you’ll still find homes for sale in Nanaimo at this time of year. You can use this quiet period of the year to your advantage as there is less competition around. Make your home stand out this winter with some simple and easy steps.
Keep Your Home Warm
Viewers in your home will not appreciate it if they are freezing cold. Arrive at least half an hour before any viewings to turn the heat on so that potential buyers will be able to focus on your home, and not how cold they are.
If you have a fireplace, and want to go the extra mile, then you can light it to make your home feel even more welcoming. Be careful not to go too far in the other direction and make it stifling hot either. A warm temperature throughout will be perfect.
Create A Cozy Atmosphere
Winter is the season when people want to bundle up and feel warm and cozy at home so you will want to create this atmosphere for your viewers. Add in some rugs and throws and light a few candles to entice people in to the space.
Add Outdoor Lighting
The winter is when you will have the least natural light to sell your home and many of your viewings may happen when it is dark outside. It doesn’t help if buyers are turning up to a dark silhouette of a house on a dark and dreary evening.
Invest in some exterior lights to brighten up the front of the house and add winter curb appeal. Don’t forget the back garden either. You can add a couple of lights to highlight a nice corner of the garden or any decorative plants you may have. This means your viewers won’t just be looking into a vast black expanse when they look out your back windows.
Sell Your House In Any Season
Don’t let the time of year put you off selling your home. Homes will sell year-round and the tips above will help you stand out without requiring a big investment. These small things really can go a long way.
No matter the season, I can help you sell your home or assist in finding the perfect investment opportunity for you. Check out my latest listings and contact me if you have any Nanaimo real estate questions.