Selling Your Home In The Winter

In many parts of the country, selling a home during the winter months can be a challenge. Dreary, cold weather and the end-of-the-year holidays can keep buyers away and heighten fears of your home staying on the market longer than expected.

However, there are a few things you can do to enhance "curb appeal." And when that happens, buyers will take notice.

For example, if your home has been on the market for more than six months, its probably time to change the sales approach. There are several factors that could be reviewed with your real estate agent to determine improvements that can be made. Ask for a reassessment of the sales price; it may be too high for the current market. Also, ask the agent for a new or updated marketing plan and ask for a specific explanation of each activity. Marketing your home goes beyond a few ads in the newspaper and a listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS); a good agent will do more to get your home sold.

If your current agent doesn't respond to your satisfaction, you should contact the real estate broker (the owner of the office) and ask for a different sales agent ? or, if you're no longer under any contractual obligation to the firm, it might be time to change real estate offices entirely.

When setting the asking price through a comparative marketing analysis, compare similar homes sold in the winter months. Many owners set their asking price too high because of comparisons with sales prices during peak seasons. Always try to compare like properties sold at the same time of year.

Once you've settled on an asking price, its time to spruce up the interior and exterior of your home. Many real estate agents recommend opening as many curtains as possible to add light and color to rooms. Also, it's suggested that you keep spring and summer pictures of your home out on tables and in clear view. Photos of your front yard flowers or the backyard shade tree in full summer bloom can help swing many buyers in favor of a purchase.

Staying on top of winter maintenance and chores is another sure-fire way of adding value to your home. A neatly shoveled driveway and cleared walkway can add a nice touch. Make sure the furnace is in good working condition and that the room temperature is kept at a comfortable level. Also, check to see that the basement if dry and sealed from any drafts.

Take yourself on a tour of your home. Start in the basement and work you way through the house. More than likely you'll see many previously undiscovered cluttered spaces and needed repairs that can turn off potential buyers.

Don't overload your home with holiday decorations, either. The buyer should have a chance to see you home in its everyday condition.

About The Author

W. Troy Swezey is the author of "SELLING YOUR HOME IN THE WINTER." As a Realtor at Century 21 Paul & Associates, he has helped many individuals with their real estate needs. Visit his web site to download his free e-book, "REAL ESTATE SECRETS EXPOSED." http://www.TroyIsMyRealtor.com or mail to: TroyC21@usa.net

---

Selling Your Property Without An Estate Agent

It is possible to save £1,000s selling your home privately... Read More

Property for Sale in Piemonte Italy is Attracting British Interest

The Region has four distinct seasons but in general possesses... Read More

Secrets of Making Money from Real Estate - Part 3

Great, now how do I actually INVEST in real estate?Investing... Read More

No More Estate Agent Fees

Follow a few simple guidelines, and marketing your own home... Read More

Housing Bubbles and You

Are we in a housing bubble? To answer that question... Read More

Burn, Baby, Burn!

Luxury homes are lots of fun to inspect. Sure, the... Read More

Escrow From a California Homeowners Perspective

The Escrow ProcessBoth Buyer and Seller deserve the assurance that... Read More

Finding a Great Listing Agent for Your Home: 8 Tips

If you've decided to list your home, you'll be paying... Read More

Ten Myths Of Real Estate Investing

Is real estate investing only for the wealthy? Can you... Read More

Real Estate Investing ? Finding Cheap Houses

Real estate investing expertise can certainly accommodate the luxury home... Read More

FSBO: For Sale By Owners Chapter One

She reached the phone on its second ring. "This is... Read More

How to Sell Your House by Lease Options

Many people buy a house then have to move within... Read More

Should You Sell Your Home Yourself?

Are you thinking about selling your home? Would you like... Read More

Afford A Dream Home In Belize

Shopping for property in Belize is not as simple an... Read More

Curb Appeal

First impressions do make a difference when selling your home.... Read More

Not Everyone is Buying or Selling, Some are Doing Both

As if one real estate transaction is not hectic enough?... Read More

Las Vegas Real Estate - Luxury Properties

Las Vegas is known for it's over the top hotels... Read More

Avoiding A Bad Investment Is Easier Than You Might Think

Human nature being what it is, none of us can... Read More

What are the Top 11.5 Criteria for Selecting an Orlando Investment Property

1. Make sure units are larger than 1800 square feet.This... Read More

Using Color Psychology to Sell Your Home

When painting your home for resale, choosing the right colors... Read More

Real Estate Investing ? The Job Escape

Real estate investing is pretty unusual in lots of ways.... Read More

A Real Estate Investing Primer

There are a great many books and web sites devoted... Read More

Why Real Estate?

Five months ago I was faced with a decision to... Read More

How To Get Started In Preconstruction Investing?

Through our website the most common question that we receive... Read More

Miami Property Booming for Foreign Investors

Miami tourism is growing and so is the Miami property... Read More

Thinking About Selling Your Home?

Owning a home is the original American dream. It's the... Read More

An Investors 1st and Most Important Lesson

Are you ready for the lesson that will put you... Read More

Mancos Real Estate

Real estate: availability and costIn 2000, the median home value... Read More

Is An Old Home for You? ? The Pros

If you prefer a home that is unique and has... Read More

Investing in Real Estate & REITs

Real estate investing runs the gamut in terms of risk... Read More

Will The Real Home Buying Guide... Please Stand Up?

Use Google right now and do a search on, "Home... Read More

Landlording And Other Aggravations

Here's the gripping story...You are the landlord of a small... Read More

Real Estate Website Marketing - 5 Steps to Crushing Your Competition and Doubling Your Business

Getting your real estate website more traffic is easy if... Read More