When you step outside and feel a crisp chill in the air, you know it: winter is on the way. If events have so ordered themselves that you find yourself selling your home in Portland during the winter months, you’re probably aware that it is not the preferred real estate season. Prospects are less likely to be out and about touring properties when the weather can interfere; the holidays take huge chunks out of everybody’s schedule (not to mention the havoc wreaked on family budgets) — plus, the aura of optimism that arrives at springtime won’t arrive until far in the future…
Nonetheless, selling your Portland metro area home during the winter months is eminently doable! In fact, because fewer offerings will be competing for the quite determined corps of would-be homebuyers, selling your home during the winter months can actually yield an outstanding result. Veteran sellers know how to maximize that prospect:
1. Advertise with spring or summer photos
Showing what your house looks like when the weather’s prettiest will be warmly received. Don’t rely on prospective home buyers’ imaginations to do it as well.
2. Make your home cozy
Selling your home in Portland during the cooler months is actually an opportunity to show it at its “homiest.” Light the fireplace; turn on all the lamps; bake those chocolate chip cookies (or light scented candles — cinnamon is a holiday favorite).
3. Fine-tune the thermostat
People are turned off when a home feels chilly — just as they appreciate stepping into a warm and cozy listing (especially if they were just touring a vacant home).
4. Set a reasonable asking price
If you are going to be selling your home in Portland during the holiday season, it’s not the best time to “test the market.” Selling in a timely manner requires pricing the property accurately. You want to motivate the serious buyers to take a break from holiday obligations to turn out to view your house.
If you’ve been contemplating the idea of selling your home in the Portland area, know that there will be winter buyers out there. Call us today at (503) 389-0686— let’s find them!