True, most would-be homebuyers and sellers in colder climates still call it quits from late November until late February or so.
But Knapp says consumers who face job relocations, divorces or other situations requiring an immediate move keep the market humming all winter long.
"There are fewer buyers and sellers in the marketplace during the winter, but they're all serious buyers and sellers," he says. "They all have a sense of urgency or they wouldn't be in the market at all."
But how can a would-be seller attract a buyer when there's ice on a home's walkway, snow covering the flower beds and little natural light to make a place look bright?
Here are five things Knapp says homeowners must do if they want to heat up the chances of selling a property this winter:
1. Set a realistic price
House hunters expect discount prices in the winter, because they know that any homeowner who lists a property during the period really needs to sell. So Knapp recommends that sellers list their homes at realistic prices to begin with — without any extra "air" for haggling.
"We've been in a buyers market for so long now in most of the country that buyers are trained to lowball," he says. "The best way to avoid that is to price a home accurately in first place."
2. Advertise with snow-free pictures
If possible, you or your agent should commission your home's advertising photos before it snows. If that's not feasible, make arrangements to have a photographer come out the first time the snow melts — even if it's just a brief winter thaw.
If possible, you or your agent should commission your home's advertising photos before it snows. If that's not feasible, make arrangements to have a photographer come out the first time the snow melts — even if it's just a brief winter thaw.
You can also have a photographer
digitally alter photos to take out snow, but proceed with caution. Too much
digital editing can open you or your agent up to allegations of deceptive
advertising.
3. Maximize curb appeal
You always want your home to have good "curb appeal" — a nice appearance that's apparent from the moment a would-be buyer pulls up to the curb — but winter snow and gloom make that tough.
You always want your home to have good "curb appeal" — a nice appearance that's apparent from the moment a would-be buyer pulls up to the curb — but winter snow and gloom make that tough.
To make the most of your home's
wintertime look, Knapp recommends making sure all autumn leaves and any dead
tree branches are gone. Keep your home's driveway and paths free of snow and
ice and put a nice, clean doormat in front.
"You home might not have the
same beautiful landscaping that it does in June, but you can at least make sure
the property looks halfway decent," Knapp says.
4. 'Stage' the interior for winter
A good real-estate agent or professional home stager can help you make your home's interior look warm and friendly no matter how dreary it is outside. Knapp says you should start by decluttering the home, putting as much stuff as possible away — preferably in offsite storage — to make your home look clean and roomy.
A good real-estate agent or professional home stager can help you make your home's interior look warm and friendly no matter how dreary it is outside. Knapp says you should start by decluttering the home, putting as much stuff as possible away — preferably in offsite storage — to make your home look clean and roomy.
Also remove all family photos,
sports memorabilia and the like so would-be buyers can picture themselves — not
you — living in the home. And don't go overboard with holiday decorations if
you're listing your home in December.
"It's OK to put up a Christmas
tree, but you might not want the fake reindeer and Santa Claus in the yard this
year," Knapp says, adding that you should take all decorations down by
Jan. 2.
Lastly, Knapp recommends baking
cookies or an apple pie shortly before house hunters arrive. This will give
your home an inviting smell when would-be buyers come in from the cold.
5. Have good interior lighting
You always want your home to look as bright as possible to potential buyers, but sparse winter sunlight can make that a real challenge.
You always want your home to look as bright as possible to potential buyers, but sparse winter sunlight can make that a real challenge.
Maximize all available lighting by
having your home's windows professionally cleaned — inside and out — before you
put your place on the market. Don't forget the storm windows.
Also consider replacing 40-watt bulbs with 75- or 100-watt
versions — and put all lights on before every showing. "I know that's
going to drive up the electric bill, but you want to make sure there's plenty
of light," Knapp says. "You don't want an agent who's not familiar
with the home showing it to a client and having to paw around to find the light
switches."
You may believe that selling your home is impossible in today’s market. You may feel powerless to the process. What could YOU possibly do to turn this housing market around? There is no doubt that today’s real estate market is extremely difficult to navigate. However, we want you to know that thousands of homes sold yesterday, thousands will sell today and thousands will sell each and every day from now until the end of the year.
