Jason Cohen Pittsburgh Explains How to Sell a House in the Winter

Since we’re in the middle of something called a polar vortex here, we at Jason Cohen Pittsburgh decided that this was the optimal time to discuss strategies to sell a home in the winter. Not -8˚, 20 MPH winds, lingering snow on the ground winter we have right now, but winter in general.

It’s difficult to sell a house in the winter. There’s less daylight, it’s cold, icy, and generally unpleasant to be driving around, checking out houses.

Keep the heat up.
Yeah, you’re not living there, so it’s tempting to try to save money on the gas bill, but it’s worth it. You don’t want to scare potential buyers away with chilly indoor air. Make them feel like it’s not winter. Make them feel like it’s a great place to live.

Get rid of the snow.
Your property has to be accessible and safe for potential buyers to get to your home. Additionally, after the holidays, snow loses its magic. It’s no longer a winter wonderland – it’s a hassle. So, when you want to sell a home in the winter, keep up with shoveling. Make the house stand out, even if it’s in what appears to be bleak tundra. Lack of snow also boosts curb appeal.

Make it as bright as possible.
Winter is often dark and dreary. Don’t let your house be that way, too. Liberate it from the drab gray of winter. Be sure that all the lighting in your home is cleaned, so the lights can gleam as brightly as possible. Even just replace 40-watt light bulbs with 75-watt versions.

Make it seem warm.
Not necessarily lived in — get rid of your personal family stuff that may alienate potential buyers and make it difficult for them to see themselves living there — but cozy. Simple things like putting a throw on the couch shows that it’s a cozy place during the winter.

Keep the windows clean.
Not only does this enable the natural light to shine through, it also enhances the appeal of the house. Grime could easily be mistaken for old. Dirt shows on a clear surface more visibly than on opaque surfaces. And, you don’t want to give the impression that anything in the house is unkempt.

Emphasize convenience during winter.
Is your home on a snow emergency route? What about a bus line? Any civic amenities during winter will help sell a house during winter.

Aromas
Use inviting scents to entice buyers. Use warming scents that are appropriate to and associated with the season. When you sell a home in the winter, spray fragrances infused with cinnamon, like apple pie and pumpkin. Obviously, don’t overdo it. Use it sparingly – the point it not to make potential buyers think they are moving into a bakery.

It’s a difficult task to sell a house in the winter. You can’t compete with a polar vortex. But, at Jason Cohen Pittsburgh, we know how to make every effort to make a property shine even in the chilly, bleak, dark, snowy days of winter.