Many people are waiting until the spring to sell. At Jill Giese & Associates we like to say that spring starts in January! Homes priced well in desirable locations are selling quite quickly now. Once we've found a buyer for your wonderful home, a typical closing will take 30-45 days. If you listed your home today and received an offer tomorrow, you still wouldn't be able to move until the end of February. This is under perfect conditions and not taking any pre-listing preparations into consideration.
Also, waiting until March or April to sell your home will only give you more competition for selling. If you're buying a home after you sell, you will also have more competition to find your new home.
Don't worry, you can create striking winter curb appeal without expensive or complicated exterior changes with these tips below.
1. Add splashes of green and purple. Plants, grasses, and evergreens liven up a home's winter landscape. Experiment with tall grasses, such as fountain grasses, that survive harsh winters. In the late fall and early winter, plants from the cabbage family add a vibrant purple color.
2. Give it seasonal sparkle. Transform an unused bird bath or fountain into a seasonal display by adding twigs with red berries. Fill frost-resistant urns with twigs, winter greenery, and sparkly baubles sold in craft stores. For extra sparkle, roll twigs in glitter and incorporate a gazing ball — a mirrored glass ball available in various colors.
3. Make the garden statuesque. Roman or Greek-themed outdoor sculptures can add class and elegance to a garden in winter. Be sure to use frost-resistant statues so they don't crack. Place the statues strategically throughout the garden to draw buyers' eyes around the outdoor space.
4. Light it bright. During winter it's more likely a buyer will be viewing the home after sunset. Use clear flood spotlights to focus on the home's architectural features. Keep exterior light fixtures at maximum wattage and clean them regularly.
5. Show off the lifestyle. Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you can't use the deck. Shovel your backyard sitting area and leave your grill uncovered so buyers can envision themselves using the space. It's also a great idea to leave a hot tub open and running during showings.
6. Make the deck an extension of the house. Set up your outdoor tables and chairs as you would in the warmer months. For added appeal, add a weatherproof café set with pillows that play off of interior accent colors. Glancing at this setting from inside can make the indoor space feel larger and more interesting.
7. Create a photo display of sunnier days. Show buyers what the outside of the home looks like during other seasons by displaying some landscape photos in frames or using a digital photo frame with a slide show of images. If the home has a garden make a list of what's planted where.
8. Don't forget to clear a path. If the ground is covered in snow, the simplest and most important thing you can do is shovel the driveway and sidewalks and keep the home's patios and decks as clear as possible so buyers can get a sense of their true size.
By utilizing these tips, you can receive maximum value for your house any time of the year!
And always remember, if you or your friends or family have real estate needs, we are your Boise, Idaho and North End real estate experts. If you are interested in searching for your next dream home, please click here.
