Selling your Vancouver WA homes during the winter takes a little more determination, although the market is currently in your favor. Still, to make the most out of a strong market and to help you get the best price for your home, there are certain pitfalls to avoid. Keep these issues in mind and you may find yourself ready to move into one of our brand new Pacific Lifestyle homes in time to start a fresh new year!

Snow comes and goes, but you must be prepared for it and ready to act fast. If you get a significant snowfall, it’s imperative that you clear a walkway to your home, as well as enough of the driveway for you and any potential buyers. Also keep an eye out for icy steps. A painful fall isn’t going to encourage buyers and may even lead to some liability issues. If you can’t guarantee you can clear the snow, consider hiring a service until your home sells. It’s money you’ll be glad you spent.

Another tip to keep in mind is making sure your windows are clean. Once again, if you need to hire someone periodically, it will be worth it. Dirty windows from rain and snow tend to show up even more during the winter, so be sure they’re fresh and sparkling. You want to make a good impression and if there are other issues that are weighing on the minds of potential buyers, the subconscious memory of streaky, dirty, dull windows may help push them away from your home.

Your pathways and driveway are clear, your windows are sparkling, but the exterior of your home is still looking a little drab. We all know the importance of curb appeal, so try to add some pops of color that your landscaping would usually provide during warmer months. You can go big and paint your front door a bright, cheerful color that complements the rest of your home, or you can simply choose a cheerful wreath for the door. Consider adding in potted plants and some festive but elegant decorations, such as tall lanterns filled with candles or strings of lights. If you have a front porch with seating, put out some pillows and throws and candles or other simple decorations, at least when you know buyers are going to be visiting.

Inside your home, turn the heat up before a showing, no matter how frugal you’re trying to be. A cold home isn’t going to encourage anyone to stick around for long and they may worry about other problems causing it to be cold, such as drafts from faulty seals, and problematic windows. Before any showing, turn the thermostat up to 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure people feel cozy and comfortable, but not overheated.

Finally, if you’ve had your home on the market for a while, talk to your agent about putting some contemporary exterior photos of your home in the listing. Keep some of the summer/autumn photos, so people can see what it looks like throughout the year, but not posting winter photos makes the home look like it’s been on the market for a long time and that may make it harder to get a good price.

By taking these steps, you stand a much better chance of increasing your home’s appeal, both physically and subconsciously. A home that is bright, cheerful, warm, and easy to access is going to give buyers a good feeling. Before you know it, you’ll be moving into one of our brand new Vancouver WA homes and enjoying your own cozy retreat.

Categorized in: Design Studio, Design Tips, Floorplan Info, New Home Tips, Things To Do

This post was written by Pacific Lifestyle Homes