West LA & Westwood Real Estate Market
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SELLING YOUR HOME IN THE FALL/WINTER
With fall and winter come weather changes and shifts in the real estate market. Some say selling your home during these colder months may be a new ball game. However, just because the weather gets colder does not mean buyers’ offers have to be cold. Here are a few things you should be aware of when selling your home during the fall and winter months.
Photos Look Better in Spring/Summer
General marketing experts agree that photos of homes during the spring and summer look better than those taken during fall or winter. Trees and plants from gardens are bare and lack color, unlike landscape that is lusher during the spring and summertime. Generally, it can be visually unpleasing for buyers to look at photos of a house and see no leaves on trees, plants, or dead grass.
Indoor Maintenance
Making sure everything is functional inside the home is critical during those colder months. Ensure the heating system is properly functioning before putting your home on the market in Fall/Winter. Homeowners often are unaware of a faulty heating system until the weather prompts them to turn it on. Nothing can be more harmful to a listing than hosting an open house on a cold fall/winter afternoon and not having a heater working to help make the property feel cozier and more like home. On the other hand, highlighting those seasonal pluses, such as a perfectly working heating system or a lit fireplace during showings/open houses, can help create a cozy atmosphere.
Less Showings
The market tends to be the most active during the warmer months of spring and summer. It is unrealistic to think that a listing will get the same foot traffic in the later months of the year as opposed to May or June. Though the buyer’s pool may be scarcer, the buyers who shop during those months are serious and motivated.
Selling Your Home Challenges
Selling your home during the end of the year can be an additional challenge that needs attention. However, working with a trusted realtor who understands how the season can affect the real estate market is essential in ensuring you get the best offer possible with the least hassle.
Need Help Selling Your Home
Please get in touch with Westwood’s leading realtor, the Shilian Group, for more information on how to maximize the value of your home during the fall and winter months.
