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Your Winter Sellers Guide.
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Hi Neighbour, Where do you dream to be this winter? Welcome to Reliance Real Estate Winter Guide. Know how to make t he most of the season that b rings out the “cosy” factor and stands out in the winter months. Let’s look at the benefits of selling in winter and show off your home at i ts most inviting and welcoming. We’re excited to open new doors for you this winter, so step inside...
Cold Weather, Hot Property The Advantages of Selling in Winter. Is the housing market typically slower during the cooler and wetter months making it a less than ideal time to sell a house? In this guide, we have prepared some good news for you on how to make the most of winter, keeping the price hot despite the cold weather. Let’s explore the benefits to selling your home in winter.
Less Competition We do agree more buyer competition might give the impression of better chances of selling, however that is not always the case. During the winter months, with fewer homes on the market means less selling competition, possibly leading to higher demand for properties and making it easier for your home to catch the attention of potential buyers. During peak seasons, homes of all varieties are flooding the market, which makes it more likely for your home to go unnoticed. Take advantage of the opportunity to have your property be the star and increase the likelihood of buyers putting in higher offers.
Winter Buyers are Serious and Motivated Buyers Even though there might be fewer potential buyers around during the months of winter, it can actually benefit you and the sale of your home. Most importantly, the buyers that are actively searching for a new home in the off season are the more serious buyers. Peak selling time brings with it a lot of people showing up to opens, enquiring, but never truly committing. Not as crucial, but still a nice incentive, less buyers means less frequent calls to say, ‘I have someone who wants to view your home’. You have more control of when your property is open for inspection, meaning you can have peace of mind until officially sold, your home is still yours.
Even More Attention from Your Agent Whilst every endeavour is made by your agent to attend to all your needs and queries promptly throughout the sale process, with fewer listings in winter, agents can focus on clients even more than usual, having more time to guide you through the selling process and being available to you whenever you need. Knowing that there’s less options for buyers, agents will place added emphasis on your property to draw attention to it, and work extra hard to get a sale that you’re happy with.
Perfect Time to Showcase Your Home’s ‘Warm and Cosiness’ Features Summertime is ideal for those with a pool because it’s easy for buyers to envision themselves relaxing on the hot summer days. In winter, you can attack the same approach but from a different perspective. Use it as a time to showcase features such as heating, insulation and lighting to show off how warm and inviting your home can be, even better if you’ve got a fireplace! What’s more, if your property is facing a northerly direction and takes advantage of the warm winter sun, it’s a perfect time to exhibit this.
“Experts say it’s less about picking the perfect time and more about understanding how best to present a property in each particular season.” realestate.com.au
Know how to make the most of the season... Quick Top Tips to Selling in Winter. Conducted with the ultimate goal of creating an atmosphere of comfort and warmth. Take the time to make it irresistible to buyers, turn your basic property into a seductive and stunning cosy home. Make them know your house is prepared for the season!
Get in touch with your local agent for additional suggestions on how to stage your home to sell.
1
Create a warm welcome...
Boost curb appeal Clear the debris that make it look neglected...fallen branches, leaves, weeds. Consider plants that grow in the winter season like pansies, petunias, begonias and geraniums. Add some lighting in the front yard leading to the front door. Make your front door seem more inviting Warm, bright colours may make your door seem more inviting. While you’re at it, why not extend the paint job around the house! Keep the house clean and dry Winters can be wet, ensure that drips and mud tracks don’t make their way into the house either. You can protect your floors this way, and it sends buyers the message that you’ve taken very good care of the floors and by extension, the house. Provide a welcome mat where people can dry off their shoes before walking through the home. Handy umbrella stands and coat rack by the door does the tricks too.
2
Keep up with winter maintenance...
No matter what time of year you are planning on selling your house in, you’ll want to prepare for the sale by having a property that’s in proper working order. Here, we have got a simple winter maintenance checklist for you to be on top of it showing off your home looking it’s best.
“Being prepared can make a big difference!”
Winter Home Maintenance Checklist Outside Remove cobwebs. Wash your windows. Mow the grass. Weed garden beds. Clean out gutters. Mend broken fences or gates. Remove dirt from outdoor furniture.
Inside Scrub marks off walls, floors and other surfaces. Clean the oven. Clean extractors. Wipe out kitchen and bathroom cupboards. Wash and freshen up pillows, cushions, blinds and curtains. Declutter! (Tips: Hire a storage unit for excess items) Take down personal photos or items. Fix anything that’s broken (leaky pipes, dim light bulbs etc).
Note: Maintaining a home in the winter with a busy schedule is a big task. Contact your local providers where required for peace of mind professionally done jobs. Feel free to add on to the list where required.
3
Combat the cold with warm and inviting space... Make them think of your house as their home. Make it warm and cosy!
Keep the heater on a comfortable temperature. Hint: Check that your heating system is working perfectly and efficiently.
Beautiful soft pillows and throw blankets on the couch and beds to inspire ideas of cuddling comfortably in the house permanently. Keep your home clear and airy. Ensure the property doesn’t smell stale or musty. Add in inviting scent of sweetness and warmth. Keep it simple and don’t go overboard! Highlight areas that will appeal in winter...gym room, playroom, media room, attic space etc.
4
Let there be light...
With shorter days and lower light levels, homes often get less natural light in winter. Let your windows glow and make your house seem inviting when you’re having an open house. Rain really helps grime stand out on window. Don’t forget to wash both side of your windows and let lights flow into the space. Take advantage of artificial lighting and mood lighting and make it seem brighter even during the winter.
“What’s more, when you know the whole network of Reliance offices are on your side to ensure your property is being seen by as many buyers as possible.”
5
Time your sale for results...
Choose your home open house times carefully, basing them around the amount of natural light available. Be flexible with opening times and why not consider evening inspections? Let them imagine themselves relaxing at home and your property is ideal for winter living with cosy indoor areas, elegant drapes and ornate lighting fixtures. Finding the right agent that is not restricted by one way of doing things is imperative to a successful sale.
“We tailor the best plan, designed around you, to suit your circumstances with a flexibility to serve you.”
Does property market cools as the temperature drops? Questions to Ask Before Deciding to Sell in Winter. Do you have to wait until winter is over or should you take advantage of the low competition? Deciding if selling is the right thing for you and then choosing your agent can be a daunting and overwhelming process. We’ve come up with some questions for you to consider and ask your prospective agents at the appraisal of your home. Book a free, no-obligation appraisal with your local Reliance Real Estate agent today and learn all about our services designed around you.
About the agent: How much will it cost us to sell with you? Will the cost be cheaper in winter? Think about costs such as marketing and commission.
How long has it taken for you to sell your recent properties? If the recent properties are similar to yours, this is usually a good indicator.
How long have you been working in this area? Establish their experience level.
What will you do to introduce buyers to our property? Does the strategy vary for selling in winter? Compare different strategies.
Why should we hire you? Before they sell your property, get the agent to sell themselves to you.
About the property market trend: Is now the right time to sell? Does the property market really cool as the temperature drops? Get their honest opinion and ask for insight into what the latest market trend has been.
Which is better for our home – auction or private sale? Explore the advantages and disadvantages of both.
How long will it approximately take to sell? Will it take longer for colder months? See if this works with your current lifestyle and expectations.
Is it worth giving our home an upgrade/renovation? Discuss overall costs and how it might influence the final offer.
What do you think our property is worth and why? It’s good to get a ballpark figure from a professional.
What is the best way to advertise? Think about who your target audience is.
Let’s Brave the Cold Together... Every property is different, and your local Reliance team has a wealth of knowledge about what your local buyers are looking for and how best to position your property to appeal to them during the colder months. Get in touch with our experienced team today. They would love to share their additional insight with you. Making your dream sale a reality together.
BACCHUS MARSH Shop 2/135-137 Main Street Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340 T 03 9088 8999 E bacchusmarsh@reliancere.com.au
POINT COOK Shop 429A Main Street, Point Cook VIC 3030 T 03 9369 6399 E info@reliancere.com.au
CAROLINE SPRINGS Shop 6, Central Shopping Centre Caroline Springs VIC 3023 T 03 8372 2014 E csprings@reliancere.com.au
SUNBURY 11/114-126 Evans Street Sunbury VIC 3429 T 03 9744 7967 E sunbury@reliancere.com.au
COBBLEBANK Shop 18 Cobblebank Shopping Centre Cobblebank VIC 3338 T 03 9746 7355 E melton@reliancere.com.au
TARNEIT Shop 15, Tarneit Central Shopping Centre Tarneit VIC 3029 T 03 8744 1370 E tarneit@reliancere.com.au
CRAIGIEBURN Shop B00-04 Craigieburn Central Craigieburn VIC 3064 T 03 8372 3333 E craigieburn@reliancere.com.au
WERRIBEE 73 Watton Street, Werribee VIC 3030 T 03 9741 1511 E reception@reliancere.com.au
MANOR LAKES Shop 14a Manor Lakes Shopping Centre Wyndham Vale VIC 3024 T 03 9746 7355 E werribee@reliancere.com.au
HEAD OFFICE 10/22-30 Wallace Avenue Point Cook VIC 3030 T 03 03 8372 2018 E hq@reliancere.com.au
MELTON Shop R06 Woodgrove Shopping Centre Melton VIC 3337 T 03 9746 7355 E melton@reliancere.com.au