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Are you waiting for spring to list your house because you’ve been told that that’s the best time to sell?

While that may be true, there are advantages to selling your home in the middle of winter. One reason to sell your home in winter is that although there may not be as many buyers, you will have much less competition. Moreover, those out looking in the middle of winter are actually serious buyers and are less likely to waste your time. Another plus for selling your home in the winter: with the leaves all fallen from the trees, you may now have a fabulous view that is only noticeable at this time of year, so you might as well take advantage of it.

If you pay attention to the details and get the word out there, no matter what season it is, the buyers will come!

Here are some things you can do to make your home more enticing to that would be winter buyer.

1. Make it inviting and accessible.
We live in the Pacific Northwest, there’s no telling what type of weather your buyer’s going to brave just to come see your home. If it’s been snowing, make sure you keep all your sidewalks and steps clear of snow and ice, especially from the curb to your home. More often than not, it’s raining, so maybe place a container at the front door where they can put their umbrellas.

2. Light it up.
During the day keep your blinds and drapes open so to let in all that natural light. In the evening make sure the lights are on, and replace all your bulbs as needed. Add new fixtures around the front door to give your entry a more inviting appeal. Set your indoor lamps and outdoor lights on timers, so if you are away, you won’t lose those prospective buyers because your house looked too dark and gloomy to stop.

3. Keep it warm.
It’s cold outside, so make it warm and cozy inside, give your buyers a reason to stay awhile. Half an hour or so before your showing, bump up the temperature a bit to make it comfortable. If you have a fireplace and you’re going to be around. Light a fire before the tour to add a little ambiance to your home.

4. Play a little music.
Turn your stereo on to a commercial free jazz or classical station, or fill the CD changer with soft music set to play continually. Keep the volume turned down low so they can barely hear it in the background.

5. Create a cozy appeal.
Set a background that will allow the buyers to see themselves living there. Consider laying a warm throw across the back or arm of your sofa, turning down your bed, filling vases with winter flowers to place around the house, setting up a dinner for two at your dining room table, or even turning your bathroom into a spa.

6. Appeal to their sense of smell.
Give your home a delicious aroma of fresh baked cookies and cinnamon spiced hot apple cider. Just before your potential buyers arrive, put out a plate of fresh baked cookies and heat some apple cider with a couple cinnamon sticks on the stove, then leave a note saying, please help yourself to a cookie and cup of hot apple cider. If you are going to be round during the tour, you can leave the cider on simmer to keep the aroma wafting through the house, otherwise don’t forget to TURN THE STOVE OFF before you leave.

7. Make your house sparkle and visually pleasing.
Keep your home clean and inviting for potential buyers, by boxing up all the clutter and storing it in the garage or a closet. You will also want to wash the windows, keep the carpets and floors vacuumed and swept, dust often and re-caulk in the kitchen and bathrooms where needed. Place photos of your home in the spring and summer around the house to showcase your yard and gardens, to give the buyers an idea of how it looks with the flowers all in bloom.

These are just a few of the many tactics you can use to sell your house during the winter months. Will doing all this guarantee that your house will sell? No, it won’t. What it will do is significantly improve your odds of selling in the winter. Chances are that it will sell, and in less time than the other homes on the market. Remember, you won’t have as much competition, but you also won’t have as many buyers, so you really need to make sure that your house stands out above all the others. So, if you’re thinking of selling your house and are still not sure now is the best time, contact a REALTOR, who will answer any questions you may have remaining, and get that house listed!