*Article updated on 11 May 2022
The widespread belief that winter is not a good time to sell a home is very far from being true.
This is according to Rowan Alexander, Director Alexander Swart Property, who says as an experienced agent looking back on his own experiences, it is now clear that some of his best months were in mid-winter.
Why sell in winter?
There are many compelling reasons for putting your house on the market over winter and just as many reasons why buyers and tenants will be looking over this time, says Samuel Seeff, chairman of the Seeff Property Group.
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He says one advantage might be that there are fewer listings to compete with which makes it easier for buyers and tenants. For some areas such as those where schools are a big selling point, it might be good to get your home onto the market during winter as families with an eye on the next academic year start looking over this period.
Furthermore, Seeff adds that house-hunting winter is more likely to attract serious buyers who aren't just browsing but are looking with a purpose. There is also no evidence that you will have to accept a lower price in winter because the price is not determined by the weather, but by market factors.
Bearing in mind that it can take around three months to sell, getting your property on the market over the winter means you could then be ready to move into your new home by the summer and before year-end.
READ: 12 easy and budget-friendly ways to make your home cosier for winter
What do you need to prepare your property for the winter market?
According to Alexander, buyers tend to be ‘really serious’ in winter, and not just checking out the market and the neighbourhood. They are also quite frequently in a hurry to find a new home.
To ensure that prospective buyers get a favourable impression of the property that is up for sale, it is essential to start preparing the house weeks before and get it ‘view-ready’, says Alexander.
He says all those steps which the seller should have done regularly as part of a preventative maintenance, but may have overlooked, should now be seen to:
- Gutters and drainpipes should be cleaned out and, if necessary, painted.
- The roof should be checked for leaks, and all known leaks dealt with.
- Shabby or old-looking walls and woodwork should be treated.
- Carpets, furniture coverings and curtains should be cleaned, if possible by professionals.
If these and other essential tasks are not carried out now, Alexander says buyers are likely to be put off. Complaints will almost certainly come in from the eventual buyer in the time that lapses between the signing of the sale agreement and the transfer.
“You can have no idea how bitter buyers can be if they find that regular preventative maintenance had not been carried out and some aspect of their new home is dysfunctional. Try hard to have the home you sell in excellent working order.”
He adds that attention should also be given to the garden - every rand spent on tidying up and putting in replantings that will look good in winter will pay for itself by imparting a well-groomed and attractive appearance to the surroundings. For many buyers, the state of the garden is the deciding factor in their reactions to a new property, he says.
“You simply cannot overdo your efforts to make a winter garden as welcoming as possible.”
SEE: Patio décor | 6 ways to winter-proof your outdoor entertainment area
Equally important, Alexander adds that rooms which are sunny and warm, despite this being the cold season, should have their curtains drawn, be open to sunlight and made as welcoming as possible. Cooler rooms can easily be heated and made to feel snug and cosy by adding candles, lamps, carpets, furnishings like throws and pillows, and should be prepared hours in advance of any potential clients’ arrivals. If the home has a fireplace or a gas heater and the day is cold, make sure these have been lit and are working well in time for any visit.
Are showhouses and viewings a good idea in winter?
Show days and viewings are perfectly fine over the winter, says Seeff. The property should be well staged to attract maximum interest. It must not appear dark or cold as this can be off-putting. Take extra care to ensure you showcase the house as equally warming and welcoming in winter.
Air out the home, ensure all curtains and blinds are open and let the sunshine in. While a bowl of coffee beans may be good to absorb unwanted smells, do not spray unnecessarily.
Make sure the fireplace and braai is cleaned so that there is no old fire smell around. If there is a chill in the air, leave a heater on, or better yet, light the fireplace so that buyers and tenants can experience the cosiness.
READ: Well-maintained home achieves a higher price, whether selling or letting
Place flowers or a bowl of fruit in a prominent area near the entrance. Always ensure there are dry, clean and fresh towels in the bathroom. Pack away toiletries and other clutter in the bathrooms and kitchen.
Winter décor such as blankets or throws draped and a stack of wood next to the fireplace and braai will add to the ambience so that buyers and tenants can see the home is just as liveable in winter as in summer.
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