How to: Prepare your home for a winter sale

Serious buyers are always looking for the right property, even in the cooler months of the year.

Here are some specific considerations to keep in mind if you’re looking to sell your home this winter.

Lights

Winter days can be overcast, so you need to make sure that you maximise the light in your home – both natural and artificial.

Try these tricks:

• Adjust your window furnishings to maximise natural light.
• Make sure your blinds are open and curtains are drawn.
• Turn on all the ceiling lights and lamps in your home.
• Remove any obscuring objects.

Make sure all windows are extra clean, as they will let in more light than grubby ones.

Also be sure to choose your home open house times carefully, basing them around the amount of natural light available.

Climate control

You want potential buyers to feel instantly at ease and there’s nothing like the embrace of a warm, cosy home. Make sure your home is at a comfortable temperature during your open house inspection.

If you have an open fire, put it to good use – a roaring fire is emotive, heats the space and adds atmosphere.

Soft furnishings

Lightening up the colours of your soft furnishings will reflect the cooler seasons.

To keep your home feeling warm and welcoming, increase the textures and depth of your accent colours by replacing a few cushion covers. Place textured throws and blankets around the lounge areas.

Consider adding a rug which can be great for creating zones within an open-plan space.

Drains & gutter maintenance

The last thing you want is embarrassing pools of water forming in front of potential buyers.

Make sure you have all your drains and gutters cleaned so that if there is a sudden downpour, storm water will wash away quickly.

You should be really conscious of moisture and dampness inside your home too which can be a red flag to a potential buyer.