6 Tips for Seniors Selling Their Home in the Fall or Winter

If you’re considering a move, don’t let the cooler months deter you. While it may not be the most popular time of year to sell a home, the colder months may offer other benefits such as less competition in the market and buyers who are more motivated. However, it will take a little preparation and work to make the sell. And if you’re a senior, you’ll want to make sure you stay safe and avoid overworking yourself. Here are six tips to get you started.

Consider the Weather

The first thing to think about when showing your home in the colder months is the weather. If you live in a climate with harsh conditions, you’ll need to take extra care to keep your driveway, walkways, and doorways clear of snow and ice. It not only looks better, but it also allows you and potential buyers to safely access the home’s interior. If you use a mobility aid, it’s especially important that your property is accessible.

You can’t control when hazardous elements strike, but you can make your move a smooth and safe experience by preparing. For instance, it matters how you pack, and there are proper ways to pack various types of items. Do a little research beforehand by reading guides and watching tutorials online. If you find the whole process to be too much, look into hiring professional packing assistance or a senior move manager.

Give Your Exterior Some TLC

Along with clearing out the snow and ice from your pathways, you will want to care for your exterior in other ways. For example, pressure washing the exterior of your home before the weather gets too cold, can give it an impressive shine. Additionally, ensure that your landscaping is well maintained, even in cooler months by removing fallen leaves and branches regularly. Lastly, if you prepare in advance, you might consider other ways to enhance the landscape in colder months by planting plants that are multi-seasonal and still have berries or greenery in the winter or adding other types of décor like benches or a trellis that will help create a nice, wintry scene.

Keep It Warm

We all know the feeling of escaping the bitter cold and entering a warm home. During open houses, you may want to keep your home a little warmer than you normally would. Creating an inviting and cozy atmosphere can make a great impression on potential buyers. After all, selling a home is all about buyers being able to envision themselves in the home, and that’s a lot easier for them to do when they are comfortable.

Offer Extras

Why not offer a few treats to go with the warm atmosphere? Enhance the buyer’s experience by going the extra mile. Offer snacks and drinks (e.g., cookies, cupcakes, hot cocoa/tea) at the showings. Also, light up the fireplace if you have one and toss some blankets over the sofa to boost aesthetic appeal. Every little effort you make can’t hurt.

Show During the Day

The shorter days of fall and winter mean that you need to take advantage of any daylight you have. When possible, schedule your showings during the daytime. After putting all that hard work into enhancing the appearance of your home, you want to properly show it off, and nothing shows it off like natural sunlight.

Add Lighting

Of course, some buyers may not be able to make it to a workday showing. When showing your home in the evening, you still want the buyers to see your home in the best light possible. If you don’t already have adequate exterior lighting, consider adding some to your driveway, walkways, yard, porch, and so on. Furthermore, since there is no natural light shining through the windows, it can help to put in some additional floor and/or mounted lamps to show off your interior. Some lights can be tricky to install, especially when new wiring is involved. In these cases, it can be worth your investment to have an electrician come in.

With some preparation and work, the colder months can be a great time to sell your home. Following these tips is a good place to start, and remember to hire professionals if certain tasks seem unsafe or overwhelming. Take advantage of less competition and a motivated buyer pool, and get out there and make your home shine!

Written by: Hazel Bridges
AgingWellness.org
Image Courtesy of Pexels.com
Photo provided by Hazel Bridges