If the thought of trying to sell your Michigan home during December and January sounds difficult to pull off, then you’re right about that. It is.
It’s during this time of the year that people are often running around shopping, heading out to holiday parties or are focused on starting their new year off right. Attending your open house may be the last thing on their mind. Then there’s often heavy snow during these months, which can make it difficult for anyone to see your home.
There are some things that you can do to improve your chances of selling your home during the winter.
Curb appeal is king. It’s important that you do your best to make sure that the exterior of your home looks well-taken care of. You should put a fresh coat of paint around your house’s trim. You’ll also want to take time to rake up the leaves in your yard, have your gutters professionally cleaned and to put down mulch in your flower beds.
You’ll want to take time to have your heating and cooling systems serviced, your roof inspected, your chimney swept and your home winterized as much as you can.
Since it’s likely dark and dreary outside, you’ll want your home’s interior to be warm, bright and inviting. You may want to use mirrors, lighter curtains, high-wattage bulbs and your fireplace to create a more light-filled, warmer environment indoors.
When you’re decorating for the holidays, less is more. Too many decorations can distract a buyer and cause a room to look smaller than it actually is.
Another key to getting your Trenton home sold during the winter is for you to be willing to allow for some contingencies to be put in place. One that Michigan buyers may request is for funds to be set aside in escrow to pay for pool or air conditioner repairs when it warms up.
If you’re willing to move sooner rather than later so the family can start their new year in their new home, then it may be easier to sell your home too.
Although you may be tempted to draft a real estate contract on your own, most standard ones don’t allow for you to write in contingencies. This is why you’ll want to have a trustworthy attorney to help you draft your contract to avoid property disputes.