Selling your home can be an exciting time as you’re looking forward to the next phase in your residential experience – but prepping your home can be stressful, especially when getting ready for a winter listing. Selling your home during the pandemic adds another layer of complexity, but focusing on a few key areas that sellers will be watching for can help you to get the value you expect from your home sale.
Check the furnace.
Buyers are reluctant to purchase a home with potentially expensive replacements, and furnaces especially aren’t cheap. When listing a home to show in the winter months, potential buyers will want to know that this very important appliance is in great working order. They’ll want to have an efficient and quiet furnace. Troubleshoot simple furnace issues yourself: Start with the obvious issues, including setting your thermostat to “heat” and making sure the temperature is set high enough to trigger the furnace. Check batteries in your thermostat and ensure the furnace switch is working. Check filters and the furnace’s front door panels, as well as pilot lights on gas furnaces.
You also can ensure your furnace is running most efficiently by checking all the vents and registers in your home. Make sure they’re properly opened or closed, depending on where you want to direct heat. You also can remove rugs, furniture, and draperies that can potentially block open vents. This is a smart thing to do regardless because home buyers want to envision their own items inside their potential new property.
When in doubt, call in professional help to work on furnace maintenance and ensure proper fresh air intake and exhaust venting – it’ll be worth it in the long run, as a healthy furnace is a great selling point.
Improve window efficiency.
If it crossed your mind that your windows need replacing, now’s the time. Taking care of this job before you put your home on the market for winter will give buyers an extra incentive: It’s a project they don’t have to worry about, and you can add the expense of replacement to your home cost. Additionally, choosing to replace older windows with more energy-efficient versions is a great selling point, as it will save the new homeowners energy costs in the long run.
If replacements are beyond your budget, conduct some cold-weather window maintenance such as replacing weather stripping, swapping out screens for storm windows, and caulking places where cold drafts can sneak in. Make sure window frames are in good condition and replace any rotten wood that may lead to window breakage. Investing in a window expert to take a look at your home may flag problems before a potential buyer, or home inspector finds them, saving you money in the end.
Improve your insulation.
Keeping your home insulated against cold weather will help homebuyers get a sense that your property is not only energy-efficient but also cozy in the winter months. If you’re planning on updating blinds or drapes for your home listing, consider adding insulating window coverings to help keep the heat inside. Cellular shades are a fine choice and can streamline your home’s interior, as well as provide extra insulation against the cold. Adding insulating draperies that are also light-blocking can add an extra desirable feature to bedrooms.
Insulate your attic, or add an extra layer of insulation to keep the heat where it’s supposed to be. Replace screens in storm doors with glass – another way to signal to buyers that you’re on top of the cold weather to come.
Make sure the roof is in good repair.
If you need buckets inside when it rains, that’s a good indication that it’s beyond time to work on your roof. If it’s not obvious whether your roof is in good repair, an expert can flag any problem areas before they get out of hand. Consider making the fixes now so that buyers know there have been “updates,” and the buyer is not going to be saddled with a lemon. Additionally, a roof in good repair will improve your home’s visual curb appeal.
Should you replace your roof? It’s an expensive project and requires some planning as contractors generally work on roofing in the summer and fall months. Roof replacements generally will improve the resale value of your home, particularly if it’s time for an upgrade, though you may not recoup 100 percent of that cost. The lifespan of your roof will vary depending on the type of materials used.
Make the exterior shine.
You may take pride in your manicured yard, but in the winter, your landscaping efforts may not show if there’s snow cover. With winter showings, it’s even more important to ensure the exterior of your house is highly appealing. Remove any clutter in your yard (the snow will only cover so much). Paint the front door with a fresh coat of color to help it look inviting, and make sure your house numbers are up-to-date and easy to see. Repair any broken screens, shutters, gutters, or anything that is imperfect – if you notice it, a potential buyer definitely will.
Be sure you’ve cleared driveways/sidewalks of snow and ice both for your visitors’ safety, as well as for a neater look to the home – it will help your home seekers to envision an easy-to-maintain exterior. Remember: Some buyers during the pandemic may choose only to see your home’s exterior in person, so it becomes even more vital that the exterior is made to represent the condition that they can expect inside.
Keep the interior sharp.
Whether homebuyers view your property in person or through a video or photo tour, making the interior as appealing as possible is a must for selling your home in any season. Make at least the simple cosmetic changes that you can: Remove clutter and as much of your home’s contents as possible. Consider renting a storage unit temporarily if your own new home isn’t ready for your stuff. Keep floors clean, carpets vacuumed, and surfaces extra clean. Take personal photos off the walls and give those walls a fresh coat of new paint in neutral colors. Make sure the home is free of odors from pets or other sources.
The goal is to make your home as appealing as possible, and making it both winter-ready and move-in ready will help make potential buyers sit up and take notice.
