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There is no perfect time of the year to sell a property. Many people believe that spring is the most popular season for selling your home but that doesn’t make it the best time to sell. Spring is when most properties come to the market, strengthening supply so that it can potentially dampen prices. Winter sales by contrast can deliver great results because with fewer properties on the market choice is restricted for buyers.

Given the lack of properties currently on the market there is a chance that over the next 2–3 months, this winter may be your best time to sell in the short-medium term

If you are selling your home take a look over our top tips to help you market your home more successfully over the wintertime.

1. Play to winter’s strengths

Take advantage of the seasonal weather by creating a cosy sanctuary from the cold...your viewers might never want to leave! Fight the impulse to close the curtains as soon as the sun drops. Instead, light your table lamps to create a warm and inviting glow through the windows.    Add furnishings in cosy rich fabrics to enhance the appeal of your property - A throw with warm colours can do wonders to a room.

2. Turn up the heat

Nothing turns off a potential buyer more than a home that feels cold. It tells them there may be insufficient heating and insulation, both of which can cost thousands to rectify. For each viewing, turn up the heating. If you have a fireplace, light a warm, inviting fire. Nothing beats the rustic allure of a crackling fire on a cold winter’s evening. Do this in good time so that when potential buyers walk through the fire is settled and glowing, rather than smoky and dirty.

Try to maintain a comfortable warmth throughout your home. In spare bedrooms and lesser-used rooms, try to compensate for any stale energy and brighten the mood with a lit, seasonally-scented candle or even a small pot plant. A warm welcome can also be created with a lick of paint in any tired rooms.

3. Give your garden some love

You’ve tended your bedding plants lovingly all summer.  But now that summer is over, and you’ve tucked your garden up for the winter, do remember to check in on it from time to time. For working homeowners, the garden may barely catch your eye over the winter months. However, whilst potential buyers may not be out to scrutinise your flowerbeds on a winter viewing, the subliminal effects of a tatty garden can contribute to that make-or-break moment in a viewer’s mind. Consider your garden as an additional reception room. Hoover it of any dirt and debris in the same manner, with a quick rake up of leaves and blitz any green fuzz off the patio with a power washer. If you have an edging spade for the lawn, neaten up the edges for a crisp overall aesthetic appeal. A bird feeder placed nearby a lounge or kitchen window can be especially charming on a viewing but remember to keep the feeders cleaned and stocked. Finally, a simple wreath of leaves and berries on a traditional front door can really set the mood around Christmas time.

4. Winter-proof your home

If you’re thinking of putting your house on the market over winter, a seasonal tune up might be in order.  Consider employing a professional to sweep the chimneys of any open fires or log burning stoves. This is particularly important if your stove has not been used over the summer, in case of nesting birds or blockages. Patio furniture should be carefully cleaned and stored, to prevent damage. Ice can cause glass tables to crack, whilst upholstered chairs will encounter water damage in the inclement weather.

5. No muddy shoes (or dogs) allowed!

Some of us are stricter on our ‘no shoes indoors’ policy than others, but to secure that winter sale, it’s time to get militant. This can be particularly challenging if you have younger children, pets and no porch; but don’t despair! In addition to dirt and odour, muddy shoes can wear out good carpets. Why not invest in a set of ‘house shoes’? For those with mobility issues and those not partial to slippers, this can be a great way of keeping your feet warm and snug at no detriment to the carpets. Outdoor lifestyles don’t necessarily go hand in hand with cream carpets, especially for those with no boot room or porch. However, by installing a traditional boot scraper and brush by the front door, you will remind yourself to knock off the heavy-duty muck before entering. If in doubt, treat your carpets to a professional clean!

All done? Snuggle up and get ready for that sale.

Would you like to chat about your moving plans? We’d love to hear from you. Here’s our phone number 01 4995050 – or if you’d prefer, email us at info@quillsen.ie

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