Note: This month I’m happy to introduce my friend, mortgage consultant Rocco Policare of Caliber Home Loans, who will be providing a helpful monthly mortgage tip in tandem with my column. Please be sure to click on his ad for a comprehensive list of documents you may need when applying for a home loan.
As the temperatures are (finally) beginning to drop, Hellertown home sales are not! But just like the seasons change, your home marketing and presentation should as well. Here are some helpful tips to keep your listing hot through the upcoming months:
- Provide a warming glow. With shorter days, and often overcast skies, proper lighting is more important than ever. If possible, leave the lights on and window coverings open prior to showings. You want the home to have a cozy, inviting feel.
- Keep the thermostat at an even keel. As you entertain potential buyers, you want them to spend as much time as possible in the home. The goal is for them to look around and be able to envision it as their own. You don’t want to rush them out by turning the home into a whole-house sauna, or leave them too cool to stay.
- Don’t thwart your cleaning efforts. You’ve spent the time getting the home “show ready.” Help preserve your efforts by asking buyers to kindly remove their shoes or providing protective shoe covers. (It might be a good idea to have your agent provide advance notice in the showing instructions so no one gets caught on laundry day wearing mismatched socks. It’s happened to the best of us!)
TIPS CONTINUED BELOW…
- Decorate to accentuate. Too much of a good thing can be bad. A few thoughtfully placed decorations can help provide a homey feel. Choose pieces that highlight the season and showcase your decorative skill, rather than your grandma’s collecting habits.
- Avoid using color-washed photos. If you are just hitting the market, proper photos are essential in making your home stand out to prospective buyers. The bright winter sun and stark white snow often provide a sharp contrast to everything around it. Be sure your agent is using a professional photographer to help prevent this washout. Some things are best left to a professional and you only get one first impression.
Implementing each of these tips should help keep your home season-friendly and assist in yielding the SOLD outcome each seller is hoping to achieve.
Happy selling and happy holidays, Hellertown!
Cheyenne Reiman is your Hometown Realtor at Coldwell Banker Hearthside, Realtors in Hellertown. A Saucon Valley native, she is a member of Coldwell Banker’s International Sterling Society and has been named Agent of the Year. Call her at 484-951-2329 or visit HellertownHomes.com for more information about Saucon Valley real estate. To follow Cheyenne on Facebook, click here.
