As strange as it may seem to football fans, a majority of homeowners do not arrange their schedule around the Super Bowl. That being said, the Super Bowl typically signals the end of the Holiday season and New Year's slump, so putting your home on the market around the time of the Super Bowl might be the perfect option for you. Markets vary, so only your local professional real estate agent can advise you on what is best in your area, but there are some reasons you might want to put your home on the market BEFORE the Super Bowl.
While some analysts tout springtime as the best time of year to sell a house, these same analysts advise buyers to make an offer on homes in January. With lower inventories available, homebuyers looking for a deal in the cold of January may find what they are looking for in your home. Those with early tax refund checks may be ready sooner than others to snap up a good deal.
If your home is near the Super Bowl venue, some investors may snap it up to rent to Super Bowl attendees. On the other hand, if your home is far away from the Super Bowl venue, but you have a large bonus or media room, your home may lure Super Bowl partiers looking for the perfect place to host their Super Bowl gatherings.
But let's face it: not everyone cares about the Super Bowl. What homebuyers care about most is finding the right home in the right place for the right price. According to a National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) study, homebuyers want energy efficiency appliances, windows and other features that permanently lower utility bills; extra storage and organizational features that include a laundry room, linen closet in the bathroom, a walk-in pantry, and extra storage space in the garage.
To sell your home in midwinter, consider staging that takes weather into account:- Make sure the walks and entryways are free of snow and debris. Take the time to clear off the patio too. You may not use it in winter, but your buyer needs to know it is there for the summer.
- Keep your home warm and cozy. Now is not the time to worry about heat costs. If buyers are cold and uncomfortable, they will not stay long enough to experience your home's special features.
- If you have a gas fireplace, light it. Consider placing a grouping of candles in a wood fireplace and lighting them during your open house or showing. (NOTE: some buyers may be allergic to smoke from wood-burning fires, so consider not lighting a wood fire unless it is integral to heating your home).
Since daylight is at a premium in winter, try to have your house shown during daylight hours. Make sure your windows are clear and free of winter grime and that window treatments are clean and dust-free. If you must show your house after dark, turn on every light in the house and yard so that your home is warm and inviting.
Rely on specific advice from us, your local real estate agents, for optimizing your home for a winter sale.
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