Winter is often seen as a low-point for property sales, but there are advantages of buying or selling a property in the winter months.
The latest figures from The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) indicate that the number of active buyers declines during the winter months. For those willing to brave the chill, the winter market can also bring a greater commitment from both sides to complete the sale. People tend to make life-changing decisions in the New Year.
Although there are fewer homes on the market during winter, there are also fewer buyers. This means less competition for both parties. Christian Harper of London flat-fee estate agent OliverFinn: “We are asked to value hundreds of properties in West London in all seasons.
"Gardens are important - even in winter. You’d be surprised at the number of properties where clients are keen to point out that a major selling point is the lovely garden, and when you look outside they haven’t paid any attention to the outside space in months!” Top tips for selling your property in winter:
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
The outside of your house is the first thing that potential buyers will see, and in the winter front gardens and paths can look particularly drab. Make sure your front garden is up to scratch by painting any weather-beaten walls and replacing any frostbitten plants.
- Shovel a path through the snow and a layer of sand wouldn’t go amiss either. If it's raining, have a mat by the front door and a container to hold wet umbrellas.
KEEP IT WARM
Simple but important – make sure that your home is well-heated while viewings are taking place. Plus, allow time for the house to warm up. If you know you’re going to be rushing home from work to oversee a viewing, it’s a good idea to set the heating timer so it comes on an hour before the buyer arrives.
- Buyers will be interested in how well the heating system works, so if you have a particularly cold room it could be worth ensuring it is better insulated. Light the fireplace.
CHECK YOUR LIGHTS
Another simple tip is to ensure your home is well lit. Buyers will be even more attuned to the mood of the house in winter, and without much sunshine to brighten things up it’s important that you make sure all your bulbs are working to show off your property at its best.
- Safety conscious buyers may also be impressed by outside lights and security lights, so invest in those if you are able. Pull up blinds, open shutters, push back curtains. Brighten dark rooms with few windows by placing spotlights on the floor behind furniture.
BE PROFESSIONAL
Be business like about how you present the inside of your property. If you’re selling your car, you fix it up and wash it. In the same way you should repair, clean and tidy your home. Put large items in storage, decorate over previous leak marks on ceilings, clean the windows and cut the grass.
- Make your property sparkle - clean out cobwebs. Bleach or replace dingy grout and polish taps and mirrors. Have a fridge sort out! Vacuum daily, wash and wax floors. Dust furniture and light fixtures. Empty waste paper and recycling bins.
- Go easy on the smellies - Many people are allergic to certain perfumes and deodorisers, so don't spray the air or use plug-in air fresheners. Don't burn candles or spray perfume in the bedroom for the same reason.
NAEA figures show that in January 2011 its members reported that their branches had an average of 252 house buyers on their books, compared to an average of 304 in the peak month of September 2011. However the number of properties available for purchase stood at 69 and 72 respectively, and sales agreed at an average of 6 and 8 respectively.
