Sellers in Mt. Charleston Shouldn't Discount The Winter Months
Selling your home during the winter months in Mt. Charleston probably doesn't sound too appealing. In fact, home owners may take their property off the market during the winter season or just decide to wait until the Spring. Common sense would dictate that you shouldn't even bother during these months. The holidays tend to be a very busy time and sellers may not feel like keeping their home in showroom condition. In addition, buyers are probably preoccupied with their families, shopping or traveling. I’d say that tends to be a fairly accurate assessment. Things do slow down and as a result inventory does tighten up. As a seller, this could actually work to your advantage though.
How we buy and sell real estate has morphed dramatically. Buyers are able to obtain information more easily than ever. Smartphones, laptops and tablets allow browsers to peruse the marketplace on the go. Motivated buyers not only closely monitor the market for new listings, but also price changes, comparable sales, days on market and other valuable metrics. Because of advances in technology these buyers are more in tune with market trends, more knowledgeable overall and ready to go. This is the profile of people who tend to look at homes during the winter months. Not surprisingly, serious buyers also tend to make serious offers.
Many years ago, a friend of mine who is a real estate broker in upstate New York, told me that “If someone is looking for a home during the winter, then they are serious buyers. Nobody is passively looking for a property in cold weather and snow.” I laughed, but he had a great point and I’ve found this to be true over the years. Astute buyers aren’t concerned about what time of year it is, they are only concerned about opportunity.
As stated earlier, inventory is traditionally lower during the winter months, which in turn means the seller now has less competition. Serious buyers + less competition, sounds like a pretty good formula to me.
Showing a home during the wintertime does require a little more effort and thought. It may seem obvious, but keeping driveways, walkways and patios free of snow/ice is imperative. Potential buyers should be able to enter and exit the home easily and safely.
You should accentuate the warmth and comfort of your Mt. Charleston residence to enhance its appeal. If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s lit up. Crank the furnace heat up a little higher than normal while you’re at it. When the thermostat is too low, buyers don’t tend to stick around too long. They become uncomfortable and leave. The idea here is to create a welcoming environment that’s cozy, so buyers take their time, look around, and want to stay. Of course like any other showing, you’ll want to vacate the home before they arrive. Sure roasting marshmallows together may seem fun, but let them invite you back for that, after they buy it.
If it’s festive, then keep it festive. Keep the Christmas Tree lit, feel free to softly play holiday music in the background, maybe even leave cookies out for your temporary guests. This theme worked for many John Hughes movies after all, making us all feel warm and fuzzy when we watched them. Just be sure not to leave any of your kids behind when you step out for the showing.
Those intent on selling their home in beautiful Mt. Charleston should not discount the winter months. It may be a little more effort, but I believe it’s worth it. The take away is that lower inventory, less competition and motivated buyers can work in your favor.