Sell your Winnipeg home no matter the season!
Winter in Canada is hardly a newsworthy event! Unless of course, you’re a weather privileged NHL player answering a question on where you prefer to play during your season. For those of us tried and true Canadians who welcome the change of seasons, we can appreciate a little cold. It certainly won’t keep us from going about our regular business.
That business includes buying and selling real estate in the city of Winnipeg! And yes, a little winter won’t stop our busy real estate market. Sure, everything is a little easier during the summer and that includes preparing your home for sale, but that doesn’t mean you should wait to sell your Winnipeg home.
We’ve included some tips on how you can prepare your home for sale and still fetch top dollar – even if the entire country is in a deep freeze!
LIGHT IT UP!
The only way to drive out the dark is with a little light. If you have a showing make sure that you compensate for earlier than normal sunsets. Turning on all the lights you can in your home will create a warm feeling. Light a few unscented candles for even more ambiance and make sure that no room is left in the dark. Buyers want to see what they’re buying. So, unlike dating they aren’t really keen on the mystery when it comes to investing in their future home.
Another key point when considering your lighting plan is to take a look at your outdoor setup. Ensure that people can see your home from the street. That means taking into account that pathways are well lit. Not only will this give potential buyers a sense of security but a well-lit home against a winter backdrop looks cozy and inviting too. Inviting is a characteristic that everyone can assign value to.
SHOVEL AND SALT AND SAND
Winter is a simple reality here in Winnipeg. Selling your home over winter means a little more attention than usual to your shoveling routine. Ensure that your walkways, driveways, and entrances are clear of ice and snow. We suggest shoveling and throwing down some salt and sand. If you can’t clear it, leave your listing agent a message to let them know that it could be a potential issue. They’ll likely arrange to have someone there to do it ahead of a showing. Alternatively, they will warn the showing agent to be prepared.
If you live in a strata building, find out when they clear and push snow. This will allow you to schedule potential showing times appropriately. Most experienced agents will avoid showings in a full-out winter storm because you don’t want to be left in the cold if a buyer can’t get through the door.
WINTER CLUTTER
Nothing says lack of space like a cluttered entryway. Winter in Winnipeg homes means a little extra gear a lot of the time. Finding a place for all of these extra toques, mitts, scarves and shovels ahead of a showing is a must. Don’t get caught with a wet and soppy pile of boots all over your freshly washed floors. Create a plan to wipe and stow your winter gear in closets and cupboards and make sure every family member commits to helping keep the winter clutter at bay. A couple extra minutes every day could save you an hour of winter gear cleanup on busy showing days.
SELL YOUR WINNIPEG HOME BY CURATING A PERSONAL TOUR
Winnipeg real estate agents almost never recommend that homeowners remain on site when there is a potential buyer interested in their home for sale. It makes potential buyers feel rushed and uncomfortable. What we do recommend (and this tip is good for any time of the year) is to prepare room-by-room information for your potential buyers and their agent as they tour your home.
Perhaps your Winnipeg home has some eclectic history or has rare millwork and other custom details that you want to draw attention to in order to command more money for your home sale. Jot a few points on bright cue card-sized stationary and fix them to the areas you want to point out. It gives you an opportunity to ensure nothing was missed and it will definitely be memorable for the potential buyers and their agents after they viewed a few places. Just be careful to only point out noteworthy items and upgrades and don’t get carried away; one cue card-sized note per room is plenty!
Contact us now for a FREE home evaluation to sell your Winnipeg home!
