Contrary to popular belief, winter can be a great time to sell property in Scotland! While spring and summer are usually the busiest times to market your home, it’s not always the best time to sell. Smart sellers will consider selling when demand is high but supply is low.
Why Winter is a Good Time to Sell Property in Scotland
If yours is one of the few properties available because so many other sellers accept the traditional wisdom that they should wait until spring, you will have proportionately more potential buyers competing to buy your property. Regardless of the time of year, there are always buyers who are looking to move house and demand doesn’t necessarily stop because the nights are drawing in.
From a buyer’s perspective, finding your dream home no longer has to be done by hitting the streets to view all the properties that you deem suitable, clearly a less attractive proposition in winter! Thanks to the internet, buyers can now conduct their property search at home, in the comfort of a warm living room, and they only need to venture out in the cold when they’re quite certain that the property they’re going to see is a genuine contender. Estate agents’ websites and property portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla and ESPC offer buyers a chance to view high quality photographs, read detailed descriptions about the property and surrounding areas, study floor plans, download Home Reports and in some cases take a virtual tour of their potential new home.
How to Make Your Property As Attractive As Possible in Winter
Here are some winter selling tips to give you the very best chance of selling your property for the best possible price.
Cosy and Warm
Create a cosy and warm environment for buyers when they come to view. If the weather is chilly, ensure that the heating is on for an hour before anyone comes round. Fires and stoves provide warmth and comfort – a roaring fire can work wonders! Offer tea, coffee, or even a hot chocolate to your buyers to make them feel at home. Warm colours make a big difference in winter, so you may want to give your living room a makeover or even just a fresh coat of paint. Warm coloured curtains also add to the cosy feel, as do throws, cushions and rugs.
Effective Lighting
With winter bringing some drab days and longer nights, make sure that you have plenty of lighting and make sure all your lights are working! If your property looks best in natural lighting conditions, do what you can to conduct all viewings during daylight hours. If you are doing viewings in the evenings, get centre lights and also table lamps and uplighters on. Buyers may also want to see any outside lights and security lights so check these are working too.
Spick and Span
Make sure your property is tidy and well maintained, inside and out. A bit of elbow grease goes a long way at any time of the year but, particularly as winter arrives, remember to give your curtains a good clean as they may not have been closed for a few months. Also keep the carpets looking clean as they can bear the brunt of muddy shoes during winter!
If you have a garden, get it winter-ready by deadheading old flowers and giving the lawn a final mow. Consider evergreen or winter flowering plants to add a splash of colour, and outdoor accessories such as bird feeders, some nice lanterns or even a patio heater. Before viewings, clear your pavement, driveway and any other paths that might be used to make sure they are completely clear of leaves or snow. If it is icy, remember to grit your path before any viewers visit. A mat by the front door and a container to hold wet umbrellas is useful.
Decorations
The festive season is just around the corner and with it comes decorations! Getting into the festive spirit can really help to create a cosy and homely atmosphere, but remember that too many decorations might make your rooms appear smaller than they are. Cards can be hung on string and attached to walls or doors and, if you want to put presents under the tree, remember to keep them as tidy as possible.
Once the festive period is over, try to return the property to normality as quickly as possible. Get new toys put away, recycle boxes and used wrapping paper so that your property is ready to be viewed at a moment’s notice. Remember that many buyers will be on annual leave over the festive period and will have more time for viewings.
Ultimately, cosiness is key and, for some people, winter really is the most wonderful time of the year!
If you are thinking of selling your home or investment property, get in touch with us by calling 0345 646 0208 (Option 1) or by emailing [email protected] to organise a free valuation of your home or to get a full, transparent breakdown of the costs of selling your home.
If you are looking to buy a property as a home or investment, please call 0345 646 0208 (Option 2) or email [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
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